Santa Barbara County Police Records

Police records in Santa Barbara County are kept by the Sheriff Office and local police departments across the region. The Records Bureau handles requests for incident reports, arrest logs, and crash documents. You can submit a public records request through the California Public Records Act. Most reports take seven to ten days to finalize after an incident. The Sheriff Office serves unincorporated areas and several contract cities in Santa Barbara County. Cities like Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc run their own police departments with separate records divisions. To request a police record, figure out which agency responded to the call. Fees vary by agency and record type in Santa Barbara County.

Sheriff Records Bureau

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff Records Bureau is part of the Judicial Services Bureau. This office handles all public records requests for the Sheriff. Call them at 805-681-4180 or email records@sbsheriff.org with questions. The office is at 4434 Calle Real in Santa Barbara. Reports take on average seven to ten days to finalize after an incident occurs in Santa Barbara County.

Standard police reports cost $15 for up to ten pages in Santa Barbara County. This fee covers incident reports, case files, and similar documents. If your report is longer than ten pages, you pay extra per page. Criminal history checks cost $25. Clearance letters cost $37. These fees apply to Sheriff records only. City police departments may charge different amounts.

You can request records online through the Santa Barbara County CPRA Portal at santabarbaraca.mycusthelp.com. This system lets you submit requests and track their status. You get an email when your records are ready. Some records may need to be picked up in person at the Sheriff Office in Santa Barbara County.

Not all records can be released to the public. Active investigations, personnel files, and certain confidential documents are exempt. The Sheriff will cite the specific exemption if they deny your request in Santa Barbara County. You have the right to appeal a denial through legal channels.

City Police Departments

Several cities in Santa Barbara County have their own police departments. These include Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Guadalupe, and Carpinteria. Each department maintains its own records and has its own procedures for public requests.

If your incident happened within city limits, contact that city's police department. The Sheriff cannot release records from other agencies in Santa Barbara County. Most city police departments have a records section or administrative office. Some use online portals while others accept email or mail requests.

City police departments in Santa Barbara County include:

• Santa Barbara Police Department
• Santa Maria Police Department
• Lompoc Police Department
• Guadalupe Police Department
• Carpinteria Police Department

Each department sets its own fees for copies and searches. Processing times vary based on workload and request complexity. Check the city website or call the police department for specific instructions in Santa Barbara County.

Types of Police Records

Arrest records show when police took someone into custody. These include the person's name, booking date, charges, and bail amount. Many agencies post booking logs online for free. You can view recent arrests at no cost in Santa Barbara County. Older arrest records require a formal request through the records bureau.

Incident reports are written by officers after they respond to a call. The report describes what happened and who was involved. It also documents what actions the officer took. You can request a copy if you were a victim or party to the incident in Santa Barbara County. Agencies often will not release reports to suspects while a case is active.

Traffic collision reports document car crashes investigated by law enforcement. These reports include the date, time, location, vehicles involved, and any injuries or property damage. Drivers and other involved parties can request copies under California law. Reports are usually ready within seven to ten business days in Santa Barbara County.

Body camera footage is generally exempt from public disclosure. Agencies must release footage from critical incidents like officer-involved shootings. These requests are handled under Government Code Section 7923.625. Regular body cam video from routine calls cannot be released in Santa Barbara County.

Requesting Police Records

First, identify which agency has the records you need in Santa Barbara County. If the incident happened in an unincorporated area or a Sheriff contract city, contact the Sheriff Records Bureau. If it happened in a city with its own police department, contact that agency directly.

Submit your request in writing by email, mail, or online portal. Include as much detail as possible. The more information you provide, the easier it is for staff to find your records in Santa Barbara County. Required details include:

• Your full name and contact information
• Date and location of the incident
• Names of involved parties if known
• Case or report number if available
• Type of record you are requesting

The agency responds within ten days under the California Public Records Act. This is the initial response time. They may tell you the records exist and provide a cost estimate. Producing the actual records can take longer in Santa Barbara County. Complex requests may need weeks to complete.

If the agency denies your request, they must explain why. Common exemptions include active investigations, confidential information, and personnel matters. You can challenge a denial in court if you believe it is improper in Santa Barbara County.

Fees and Wait Times

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff charges $15 for standard reports up to ten pages. Criminal history checks cost $25. Clearance letters cost $37. Extra pages cost more. Digital records may be provided at lower cost if emailed in Santa Barbara County.

Most reports take seven to ten days to finalize after an incident. Once finalized, the records bureau needs additional time to process your request. Simple requests for a single report can often be filled within a few days. Large or complex requests may take several weeks in Santa Barbara County.

Some records must be provided faster under California law. Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking get free copies of their incident reports within five days. SB 1421 records about officer misconduct must be released within 45 days in Santa Barbara County. Regular public records requests have no set deadline beyond the ten-day response requirement.

Note: Fees and timelines can change, so check with the specific agency before submitting your request.

California Police Records Laws

The California Public Records Act in Government Code Sections 7920-7931 gives you the right to access police records. Any person can make a request. You do not need to live in Santa Barbara County or California. Agencies must respond within ten days. They can extend this by 14 days if needed for searching or consulting with other offices.

Penal Code Section 832.7 covers peace officer personnel records. This law was amended by SB 1421 and SB 16 to increase transparency. Agencies must disclose records of officer-involved shootings, serious use of force, sustained findings of sexual assault by an officer, and sustained findings of dishonesty in Santa Barbara County. These records must be released within 45 days unless an extension applies.

Government Code Section 7923.625 addresses body camera footage. Agencies must release footage from critical incidents within 45 days. This includes shootings and use of force causing serious injury or death. Other body cam video is exempt from disclosure in Santa Barbara County.

Vehicle Code Section 20012 requires agencies to provide traffic collision reports to involved parties. This includes drivers, passengers, vehicle owners, and insurance companies with a valid claim. The law specifies who qualifies as a party of interest in Santa Barbara County.

Online Records Resources

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff offers an online CPRA Portal at santabarbaraca.mycusthelp.com. Use this portal to submit public records requests for Sheriff records in Santa Barbara County. You can track the status of your request and receive notifications when records are ready.

For criminal history information, visit the California Department of Justice website at oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review. You can request your own criminal record through the DOJ for a $25 fee. This process requires fingerprints and takes several weeks in Santa Barbara County.

Traffic collision reports from the California Highway Patrol can be requested online at crashes.chp.ca.gov. Use this system if your crash was investigated by CHP officers in Santa Barbara County. The system is available to parties of interest as defined by state law.

Visit the Sheriff Office website at sbsheriff.org for more information about records requests and services in Santa Barbara County. The site has contact information for the Records Bureau and other divisions.

Nearby Counties

If you need police records from neighboring areas, visit these county pages:

View All California Counties