Sonoma County Police Records Search
Sonoma County police records include arrest logs, incident reports, and case files from the Sheriff Office and local police departments. The Sheriff Criminal Investigations Bureau handles public records requests. Call them at 707-565-2204 or email Sheriff-CIB@sonomacounty.gov for questions. The office is at 2796 Ventura Avenue in Santa Rosa. A response to your request should be provided within ten days under the California Public Records Act. A fee may be required before the Sheriff releases records. You can search for inmates online and view warrant information through the Sheriff website. Many cities in Sonoma County have their own police departments with separate records divisions.
Sonoma County Quick Facts
Sonoma County Sheriff Office
The Sonoma County Sheriff Office handles law enforcement in unincorporated areas and operates the county jail. The Criminal Investigations Bureau processes public records requests. The office is at 2796 Ventura Avenue in Santa Rosa. Call 707-565-2204 or email Sheriff-CIB@sonomacounty.gov with questions about your request in Sonoma County.
Submit your records request using the online form at sonomasheriff.org/report-request. You can also email or mail your request to the Sheriff Office. A response should be provided within ten days under the California Public Records Act. This is the initial response time. The Sheriff may need more time to produce the records in Sonoma County.
A fee may be required before the Sheriff releases records. Fees vary based on the type of record and number of pages. The Sheriff will provide a cost estimate when they respond to your request. Payment is usually required before you receive the records in Sonoma County.
The Sonoma County Sheriff website offers several online search tools. You can search for people in custody at the county jail. You can also search for active warrants and view the arrest log. These systems are free to use and updated regularly in Sonoma County.
City Police Departments
Many cities in Sonoma County have their own police departments. These include Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Sebastopol, Sonoma, Cloverdale, and Healdsburg. Each department keeps its own records and has its own procedures for public requests in Sonoma 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 forms while others accept email or mail requests in Sonoma County.
City police departments in Sonoma County:
- Santa Rosa Police Department
- Petaluma Police Department
- Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety
- Cotati Police Department
- Sebastopol Police Department
- Sonoma Police Department
- Cloverdale Police Department
- Healdsburg 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 Sonoma County.
Types of Police Records
Arrest records show when deputies or officers took someone into custody in Sonoma County. These include the person's name, booking date, charges, and bail amount. You can search for people in custody online through the Sheriff website at sonomasheriff.org/incarcerated-person-search. This system has current booking logs for the county jail. Older arrest records require a formal request.
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 Sonoma 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 Sonoma 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 Sonoma County.
Requesting Police Records
For current inmate information, use the online search at sonomasheriff.org/incarcerated-person-search. You can find booking logs and custody records at no cost in Sonoma County.
For incident reports and other police records, submit a request using the online form at sonomasheriff.org/report-request. You can also email Sheriff-CIB@sonomacounty.gov or call 707-565-2204. 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 Sonoma 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 Sonoma County.
Fees and Wait Times
A fee may be required before the Sonoma County Sheriff releases records. Fees vary based on the type of record and number of pages. The Sheriff will provide a cost estimate when they respond to your request. Digital records sent by email may cost less than printed copies in Sonoma 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 Sonoma 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 Sonoma County. Regular public records requests have no set deadline beyond the ten-day response requirement.
Note: Contact the Sheriff Criminal Investigations 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 Sonoma 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 Sonoma 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 Sonoma 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 Sonoma County.
Online Records Resources
The Sonoma County Sheriff offers several online tools. Search for people in custody at sonomasheriff.org/incarcerated-person-search. View the arrest log and search warrants on the Sheriff website. These systems are free to use in Sonoma County.
Submit records requests online at sonomasheriff.org/report-request. The form asks for details about the records you need. You get a response within ten days in Sonoma 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 Sonoma 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 Sonoma County.
Nearby Counties
If you need police records from neighboring areas, visit these county pages: