Residents of North Carolina have the right to access North Carolina police records as these are considered "public records". Public records as defined in the State's General Statutes means any documents including papers, books, films, photographs, electronic records and other materials that agencies of the government come in contact with in its dealing with the public (NC Gen. Statutes 132-1). All public records are the people's property; hence, the public can obtain any record including police records for free or with minimal cost.
All records are accessible anytime during the regular working hours of the department or upon request; however, there are some instances whereby the cases or requests are denied. These cases, as explained under the Statute, are exemptions and requests for these particular cases are restricted because of the nature of the records. Restrictions might apply if these are for public safety concerns (ex: intelligence report) or sensitive in nature (ex. criminal investigations, autopsies, 911 responses). (N.C. Gen Statute Law 132-1)
For people who are looking for a police report, they must determine the nature of the report that they want. The reports are classified under crime reports for reports that relate to criminals or felonies, crash reports for accidents or traffic-related cases and non-emergency reports - reports that are not urgent by nature. The researcher can head to the Records Division to access the files free or have it delivered online. Note that some cities are allowed by the Law to charge a minimal amount to cover cost.
Residents of Asheville for example, can visit the Central Police Department in the lobby of the Police HQ and look at the police records during working hours. They can also send a self-addressed stamped envelope and forward it to the Central Records Unit. Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents however are required to pay $3.50 for a PDF format of the police report. The report is free if one visits the police headquarters on East Trade Street.
The Statute grants people requesting records several means to access the files. They can fax, call or email the assigned department, which usually is the City Police Record Division unit, for their request. They can also walk in during regular office hours and request the custodian for the specific files that they need. They can check the files or ask for copies in any media format that they want. For online requests, the person should address the request to the person directly in charge of the records in the department. Ensure that the request is specific in nature. If you have a record number, such as that of crash reports, do include them as this makes it easier for the custodian to search for the files. Note that there is no specific period for deliveries of the request. As many would probably ask for records, being specific would shorten the time for research.
The department might turn down police reports request if the records are included in the exemptions as indicated in the Stature. If this happens, the fastest and convenient way to ask is through making an online request. More often than not, there is some information that is not included in the exemptions and available for the public.
All records are accessible anytime during the regular working hours of the department or upon request; however, there are some instances whereby the cases or requests are denied. These cases, as explained under the Statute, are exemptions and requests for these particular cases are restricted because of the nature of the records. Restrictions might apply if these are for public safety concerns (ex: intelligence report) or sensitive in nature (ex. criminal investigations, autopsies, 911 responses). (N.C. Gen Statute Law 132-1)
For people who are looking for a police report, they must determine the nature of the report that they want. The reports are classified under crime reports for reports that relate to criminals or felonies, crash reports for accidents or traffic-related cases and non-emergency reports - reports that are not urgent by nature. The researcher can head to the Records Division to access the files free or have it delivered online. Note that some cities are allowed by the Law to charge a minimal amount to cover cost.
Residents of Asheville for example, can visit the Central Police Department in the lobby of the Police HQ and look at the police records during working hours. They can also send a self-addressed stamped envelope and forward it to the Central Records Unit. Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents however are required to pay $3.50 for a PDF format of the police report. The report is free if one visits the police headquarters on East Trade Street.
The Statute grants people requesting records several means to access the files. They can fax, call or email the assigned department, which usually is the City Police Record Division unit, for their request. They can also walk in during regular office hours and request the custodian for the specific files that they need. They can check the files or ask for copies in any media format that they want. For online requests, the person should address the request to the person directly in charge of the records in the department. Ensure that the request is specific in nature. If you have a record number, such as that of crash reports, do include them as this makes it easier for the custodian to search for the files. Note that there is no specific period for deliveries of the request. As many would probably ask for records, being specific would shorten the time for research.
The department might turn down police reports request if the records are included in the exemptions as indicated in the Stature. If this happens, the fastest and convenient way to ask is through making an online request. More often than not, there is some information that is not included in the exemptions and available for the public.
About the Author:
Free Police Records North Carolina possible? Yes and no. You can conduct Police Reports Search but you must pay for their reports. It's still better than nothing.. Unique version for reprint here: North Carolina Police Reports.
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