Access Tulare County Police Records
Tulare County police records are kept at the Sheriff Records Department on Akers Street in Visalia. This office handles requests for arrest records, incident reports, crime reports, and other law enforcement documents. You can call 559-802-9400 or email sheriffrecordsrequest@tularecounty.ca.gov to ask about specific records. The county uses a custom online help portal for some records requests. Processing times follow California law with ten-day response requirements. Prior arrest information is not released to the public as it violates state law. Only parties with legal interest can get copies of certain police reports in Tulare County.
Tulare County Sheriff Records Department
The Tulare County Sheriff Records Department is at 833 S. Akers Street in Visalia. This is the main office for all police records requests in the county. Staff maintain arrest logs, incident reports, case files, and booking records. The department handles thousands of records requests each year from the public, attorneys, and other agencies.
Call 559-802-9400 to reach the records department. Staff can answer questions about what records are available and how to request them. Have details ready when you call. You need names, dates, case numbers, and locations to help staff find your file. Without specific info, searches take much longer in Tulare County.
Email requests go to sheriffrecordsrequest@tularecounty.ca.gov. This is useful for written requests or when you cannot call during business hours. Include all relevant details in your email. State clearly what records you want. Provide your contact info so staff can reach you with follow-up questions. They will respond with instructions on how to proceed with your request in Tulare County.
Tulare County uses a custom help portal for some records requests. Visit tularecountysoca.mycusthelp.com to submit requests online. This portal lets you track the status of your request. You get email updates as the request is processed. The system is useful for simple requests where you know the case number or have specific details about the incident.
Note: Prior arrest information will not be released as it is against the law to release criminal history to the public in Tulare County.
Requesting Police Reports in Tulare County
To request a police report from Tulare County Sheriff, contact the records department at 559-802-9400. You can also use the online portal or send an email. Provide as much detail as possible about the incident. Include full names of involved parties, the date and location of the incident, and any case or report numbers you have. The more specific your request, the faster staff can locate the file.
You must have legal interest to get certain police records. Victims can usually get copies of reports. Property owners can get theft reports. Insurance companies need policy numbers or claim info. Attorneys need documentation of representation. Some records are only released to specific parties under California law. Be ready to prove your legal interest when you request records in Tulare County.
Written requests work well for complex records requests. Mail your letter to Tulare County Sheriff Records Department, 833 S. Akers St., Visalia, CA 93277. Describe what records you want. Include your name, address, phone, and email. Staff will respond within ten days under the California Public Records Act. This is just the initial response. It may take longer to actually produce the records in Tulare County.
In-person requests are accepted at 833 S. Akers Street during business hours. Bring your ID and any documentation of legal interest. Staff can search the system while you wait. Simple requests may be filled the same day if the report is ready. Complex requests take longer. You may need to return another day to pick up records in Tulare County.
Types of Records Available
Arrest records in Tulare County show booking information for people taken into custody. This includes name, charges, arrest date, and booking photo. Arrest records are public under Government Code Section 7923.610. You can request recent arrest information from the records department. Prior arrest information is not released as it violates state law on criminal history disclosure in California.
Incident reports document crimes and other events that deputies respond to. These include thefts, assaults, burglaries, and other calls for service. You can get a copy if you were a victim or involved party. Suspects cannot get reports from the arresting agency. Witnesses may qualify depending on the case. The records department will verify your legal interest before releasing incident reports in Tulare County.
Traffic collision reports are available to drivers, passengers, and vehicle owners involved in a crash. Vehicle Code Section 20012 requires release to parties of interest. If the California Highway Patrol investigated your crash, request the report at crashes.chp.ca.gov. For crashes handled by Tulare County Sheriff or city police, contact the agency that took the report in your area.
Case files can include multiple documents such as police reports, witness statements, evidence photos, and investigation notes. Not all materials are public. Some items remain confidential under California law. Examples include active investigations, juvenile records, and confidential informant information. The agency will tell you what can be released in Tulare County.
California Public Records Act
The California Public Records Act gives you the right to request police records from Tulare County Sheriff. This law is in Government Code Sections 7920-7931. Any person can make a request. You do not need to live in California. You do not have to explain why you want the records. The agency must respond within ten calendar days of receiving your request.
The ten-day deadline is for the initial response, not for producing the records. The agency will tell you if the records exist and when they will be ready. They can take a 14-day extension if needed. Large requests may take weeks or months to complete. The agency will keep you informed of the status of your request in Tulare County.
Some records are exempt from release under California law. Active investigations are usually withheld until cases close. Personnel records are not public. Confidential informant information is protected. If your request is denied, the agency must cite the specific law that exempts the record. You can challenge a denial in court if you believe the records should be public in Tulare County.
Penal Code Section 832.7 requires disclosure of certain peace officer records. This includes use of force incidents, officer-involved shootings, and sustained findings of sexual assault or dishonesty. These records must be released within 45 days. A delay of up to 180 days is allowed if there is an ongoing investigation. This applies to Tulare County and all California law enforcement agencies.
Body Camera Footage Requests
Body camera footage from Tulare County deputies is not routinely released to the public. California law exempts most body cam video. Government Code Section 7923.625 requires release of footage from critical incidents. This includes officer-involved shootings and use of force resulting in serious injury or death. Agencies have 45 days to provide critical incident footage. Extensions of 30 days are allowed for certain reasons in Tulare County.
To request body cam footage, contact the records department at 559-802-9400. Explain what incident you are requesting. State whether it involves a critical incident under Government Code 7923.625. The agency will review your request and respond. They may redact portions of the video to protect privacy of uninvolved persons, minors, and confidential sources in Tulare County.
Body cam requests take longer than standard records requests. The agency must review hours of video and redact sensitive content. This includes faces, voices, and private information. Be patient with these requests. They are complex and time-consuming to process in Tulare County. The agency will keep you informed of the timeline.
Criminal History Records
You can request your own criminal history from the California Department of Justice. The DOJ charges $25 for this service. You must submit fingerprints with your request. Mail to PO BOX 160207, Sacramento, CA 95816-0207. The DOJ will send you a copy of your state criminal record. This shows all arrests and convictions on file in California.
You cannot get someone else's criminal history through the DOJ. Penal Code Section 11105 restricts access to criminal history information. Only law enforcement agencies can access these files for official purposes. Private citizens and employers cannot get criminal histories from the DOJ. Background check companies use different sources for their reports in California.
Prior arrest information is not released by Tulare County Sheriff. This is against California law. If you need a criminal history for employment or licensing, follow the DOJ process. Many employers require live scan fingerprinting. Check with local fingerprinting services or the employer for instructions on how to proceed in Tulare County.
Fees and Processing Times
Fees for police records in Tulare County depend on the type and size of the request. Copy fees are common. Some records have flat rates while others charge per page. Ask about costs when you submit your request. Payment is usually required before records are released. Check what payment methods are accepted at the records department in Tulare County.
Processing times depend on request complexity and staff workload. Simple requests may be filled in a few days. Large requests can take weeks. The agency has ten days to respond under the Public Records Act. This is just the initial response. They will tell you when the records will be ready. Follow up if you do not hear back within ten days in Tulare County.
Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking get free copies of their incident reports. California Family Code requires agencies to provide these within five days at no charge. Bring proof that you were the victim in the case. This exemption applies to all California agencies including Tulare County Sheriff.
Note: Fees and timelines can change, so contact the Tulare County Sheriff Records Department for current information before submitting your request.
Tulare County Online Portal
Tulare County Sheriff uses a custom help portal for records requests. Visit tularecountysoca.mycusthelp.com to submit requests online. The portal lets you track your request status. You get email updates as the request is processed. This system works well for simple requests when you have case numbers or specific incident details.
The portal is not required for all requests. You can still call, email, or visit in person. Use whichever method works best for your situation. The online portal is convenient if you cannot visit during business hours. It provides a written record of your request and the agency response in Tulare County.
Santa Barbara County uses a similar system called MyCustHelp. Huntington Beach also uses this platform. If you need records from multiple counties, check if they use MyCustHelp. The system works the same way in each location. This can save time when making requests across different jurisdictions in California.
Contact the Tulare County Sheriff
Tulare County Sheriff Records Department is at 833 S. Akers St., Visalia, CA 93277. Call 559-802-9400 for questions about police records. Email sheriffrecordsrequest@tularecounty.ca.gov for written requests. Visit in person during business hours. Bring ID and documentation of legal interest when requesting records in Tulare County.
For general information about the California Public Records Act, visit the California Department of Justice website. This page explains your rights under the law. The DOJ also handles criminal history requests for individuals. Call the DOJ Record Review Unit at 916-227-3849 with questions about state-level records in California.