Solano County Police Records
Solano County police records include arrest logs, incident reports, and case files from the Sheriff Office and local police departments. The Sheriff Records and Warrants Bureau is in Fairfield at 530 Union Avenue, Suite 100. Call them at 707-784-7010 or email SHFRecords@SolanoCounty.gov for records questions. You can search for inmates online through the Sheriff inmate search system. This system has booking logs and custody information for people in the Solano County jail. For incident reports and other police records, submit a formal public records request. Most agencies respond within ten days under the California Public Records Act in Solano County.
Solano County Quick Facts
Solano County Sheriff Records Bureau
The Solano County Sheriff Records and Warrants Bureau handles all public requests for police records. The office is at 530 Union Avenue, Suite 100 in Fairfield. Call 707-784-7010 with questions about your request. You can also email SHFRecords@SolanoCounty.gov in Solano County.
Submit public records requests by mail, email, or in person at the Records Bureau. Include as much detail as you can about the records you need. The more information you provide, the easier it is for staff to find your records in Solano County. The Sheriff will respond within ten days under the California Public Records Act.
Solano County offers an online inmate search at shfinmatesearch.solanocounty.com. This system lets you search for people in custody at the county jail. You can view booking information, charges, and bail amounts. The system is free to use and updated regularly in Solano County.
Fees for police records vary based on the type of record and number of pages. The Sheriff may charge per-page fees for printed copies. Digital records sent by email may cost less. Contact the Records Bureau at 707-784-7010 for current fee information in Solano County.
City Police Departments
Several cities in Solano County have their own police departments. These include Vallejo, Fairfield, Vacaville, Benicia, Dixon, and Rio Vista. Each department keeps its own records and has its own procedures for public requests in Solano County.
If your incident happened within city limits, contact that city police department. The Sheriff cannot release records from other agencies. Most city police departments have a records section. Some use online portals while others accept email or mail requests in Solano County.
City police departments in Solano County:
- Vallejo Police Department
- Fairfield Police Department
- Vacaville Police Department
- Benicia Police Department
- Dixon Police Department
- Rio Vista Police Department
Each department sets its own fees and processing times. Check the city website or call the police records section for specific instructions in Solano County.
Types of Police Records
Arrest records show when deputies or officers took someone into custody in Solano County. These include the person's name, booking date, charges, and bail amount. You can search for people in custody online at shfinmatesearch.solanocounty.com. This system has current booking logs for the county jail. Older arrest records require a formal request through the records bureau.
Incident reports are written by deputies or officers after they respond to calls for service. The report describes what happened and who was involved. It documents what actions the officer took. You can request a copy if you were a victim or involved party in Solano County. Agencies may not release reports to suspects while cases are active.
Traffic collision reports document car crashes investigated by law enforcement. These include the date, time, location, vehicles involved, and any injuries. Drivers and other parties of interest can request copies under California Vehicle Code Section 20012. Most reports are ready within seven to ten business days in Solano 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 Solano County.
Requesting Police Records
For current inmate information, use the online search at shfinmatesearch.solanocounty.com. You can find booking logs and custody records at no cost in Solano County.
For incident reports and other police records, contact the Sheriff Records Bureau at 707-784-7010 or email SHFRecords@SolanoCounty.gov. Include these details in your request:
- Your full name and contact information
- Date and location of the incident
- Names of involved parties if known
- Case number or report number if available
- Type of record you want
The Sheriff will respond 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 Solano County. Complex requests may need several weeks.
If the agency denies your request, they must cite the specific exemption. Common exemptions include active investigations, confidential information, and personnel matters. You can challenge a denial in court if you believe it is improper in Solano County.
Fees and Wait Times
Fees for police records in Solano County vary by record type and number of pages. The Sheriff may charge per-page fees for printed copies. Digital records sent by email may be provided at lower cost. Contact the Records Bureau at 707-784-7010 for current fee information in Solano County.
Processing times vary based on the complexity of your request and current workload. Simple requests for a single report can often be filled within one to two weeks. Large or complex requests may take longer. The Sheriff will give you an estimated completion date when they respond to your request in Solano 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 Solano County. Regular public records requests have no set deadline beyond the ten-day response requirement.
Note: Contact the Sheriff Records Bureau for current fee and timeline information before you submit 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 Solano County or California. Agencies must respond within ten days. They can extend this by 14 days if needed.
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 Solano County. These records must be released within 45 days.
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 Solano 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 valid claims. The law specifies who qualifies as a party of interest in Solano County.
Online Records Resources
The Solano County Sheriff offers an online inmate search at shfinmatesearch.solanocounty.com. You can search for people in custody and view booking information at no cost in Solano County.
For more information about the Sheriff Office, visit their website at solanocounty.com/depts/sheriff. The site has contact information and details about the Records and Warrants Bureau in Solano County.
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 in Solano County.
California Highway Patrol crash reports can be requested online at crashes.chp.ca.gov. Use this system if CHP officers investigated your crash in Solano County.
Nearby Counties
If you need police records from neighboring areas, visit these county pages: