Arizona Police Records
Arizona police records include incident reports, arrest records, accident reports, and criminal history files kept by law enforcement agencies across the state. The Arizona Department of Public Safety runs the Central State Repository for criminal records. County sheriff offices and city police departments hold local reports. You can search these Arizona police records online through official portals, request copies by mail, or visit agencies in person. Most records are public under Arizona law, though some contain restricted information that gets redacted before release.
Arizona Police Records Quick Facts
Arizona Central State Repository for Police Records
The Arizona Department of Public Safety operates the Central State Repository under ARS 41-1750. This office collects fingerprints, arrest data, charges, and case outcomes for all felonies and domestic violence crimes in Arizona. DPS serves as the main hub for criminal history records statewide.
You can access certain Arizona police records through the DPS Public Services Portal. The portal handles background checks, fingerprint clearance cards, collision report requests, and record reviews. For questions about the portal, call (602) 223-2999 and pick option 8 for tech support.
The Central State Repository lets you review your own criminal record for accuracy. Request a Record Review Packet by calling (602) 223-2000, then pick option 2 for Records and Reports, followed by option 3 for Statewide Criminal Records. DPS will mail a response with your record info within 15 days of getting your completed packet.
Note: Arizona state law does not let DPS run criminal checks for private citizens or employers outside the state for jobs or immigration matters.
DPS Department Records Unit
The Department Records Unit at DPS keeps specific types of Arizona police records. This unit stores collision reports for crashes on interstate and state highways that DPS Troopers handled. They also have citations, warnings, and repair orders that State Troopers issued. The unit gets completed reports from troopers within 14 days of each incident.
You can request Arizona police records from the Department Records Unit by mail or email. The address is 2222 W. Encanto Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85009. Send emails to DRU@azdps.gov. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm, closed on state holidays. Phone requests go to (602) 223-2000.
Fees for Department Records Unit requests include $9.00 for a paper report via US Mail covering the first nine pages. Each page after that costs $0.10. Email delivery also runs $9.00 for files up to 5 MB. Reports on DVD cost $15.00 with a 4.7 GB limit. Photos run $4.00 each for 8x10 prints, $10.00 for contact sheets, and $15.00 for all photos on a single DVD.
Arizona DPS Public Records Unit
The Public Records Unit handles other types of Arizona police records requests. This includes offense reports, incident reports, and arrest reports involving DPS. Contact PRU at (602) 223-2000 or by email at PRU@azdps.gov. The fax number is (602) 223-2945.
Fees match the Department Records Unit rates. Paper copies cost $9.00 for the first 9 pages with $0.10 for each extra page. Email delivery is $9.00 for files up to 5 MB. DVDs cost $15.00 and flash drives run $20.00. Video requests cost $21.33 for the first half hour and $21.33 for each half hour after that.
The unit accepts credit cards, business checks, and money orders for in-person requests. Mail-in payments must be business checks, cashier's checks, or money orders. They do not take personal checks by mail for Arizona police records requests.
How to Search Arizona Police Records Online
Several online portals let you search Arizona police records from home. The type of record you need determines which portal to use. Accident reports, incident reports, and arrest records each have different access points depending on the agency.
For accident reports, many Arizona agencies use BuyCrash or CrashDocs. These systems let you look up traffic collision reports by date, location, or the names of people involved. Maricopa County Sheriff, Mesa PD, Gilbert PD, Chandler PD, Glendale PD, and Tempe PD all use BuyCrash. Tucson PD, Scottsdale PD, Pinal County, and Lake Havasu City PD use CrashDocs. Reports typically cost around $5 plus a small service fee.
Many city police departments use GovQA for records requests. This includes Mesa, Peoria, Surprise, Buckeye, Avondale, Queen Creek, Lake Havasu City, and Pinal County Sheriff. Others use JustFOIA, including Gilbert PD, Tempe PD, Maricopa City PD, and Prescott Valley PD. These portals let you submit requests and track their status online.
For statewide criminal history, the DPS Public Services Portal at psp.azdps.gov is the main resource. You can review your own record, request fingerprint clearance cards, and access other DPS services. Creating an account is free, though fees apply for most record requests.
Arizona Police Records Access Laws
Arizona has strong public records laws. ARS 39-121 says public records must be open for inspection by any person during office hours. This applies to Arizona police records held by any public agency. You do not need to state a reason for your request.
ARS 39-121.01 defines what counts as a public record and sets rules for how agencies must respond. If an agency fails to respond promptly to your Arizona police records request, the law treats that as a denial. You can then take legal action to get access.
Some Arizona police records have limits on access. ARS 39-121.04 covers law enforcement records that show minor victims or witnesses. Agencies must balance public interest against privacy when releasing these records. Victim participation rights apply in disclosure cases.
Note: Active investigations may delay release of some Arizona police records until the case closes.
Free Police Records for Crime Victims in Arizona
ARS 39-127 gives crime victims special rights when requesting Arizona police records. Victims of Part I crimes can get one free copy of the police report, audio recordings, and video recordings from their case. This also applies to domestic violence and sexual offense victims.
Law enforcement must prioritize processing victim requests for Arizona police records. The free copy right helps victims document their cases for court, insurance claims, protective orders, and other legal needs. Family members can also request free copies if the victim was killed or cannot make the request themselves.
To claim your free copy, identify yourself as the victim when you submit your request. Bring ID that matches the name in the police report. The agency will verify your status before waiving fees. This right applies at all Arizona police departments and sheriff offices.
Body Camera and Video Recording Fees
ARS 39-129 sets a cap on what agencies can charge for video recordings. The maximum fee is $46 per video-hour reviewed. This applies to body-worn camera footage, dash cam video, jail surveillance, and other video Arizona police records.
Crime victims are exempt from video fees under ARS 39-127. If you qualify as a victim, you get one free copy of video from your case. Non-victims pay the hourly review fee since staff must watch footage to redact protected information before release.
Processing times for video requests vary widely across Arizona. Some agencies quote 4 to 5 months. Scottsdale PD reports a 12 to 14 month backlog for body camera footage. General document requests at Scottsdale take 8 to 10 months. Plan ahead if you need video Arizona police records.
Arizona Accident and Collision Reports
ARS 28-667 governs traffic accident reports in Arizona. Officers must complete reports within 24 hours of investigation. The law prohibits using accident reports for commercial solicitation. Unredacted reports go to involved parties, their attorneys, and insurance companies.
The DPS Department Records Unit handles collision reports for crashes on state and interstate highways. Local police handle accidents within city limits. Sheriff offices cover unincorporated county areas. Reports are usually available 5 to 14 days after the incident.
Most Arizona agencies charge $5 or less for accident reports. Online portals like BuyCrash and CrashDocs add a small convenience fee. Involved parties often pay just the processing fee with no agency charge. Check with the specific agency that handled your crash for exact pricing and availability.
How to Request Arizona Police Records
You have three main ways to get Arizona police records: online, by mail, or in person. The best method depends on what you need and how fast you need it. Online requests work well for standard reports. Complex requests may need in-person visits.
For online requests, find the right portal for your agency:
- DPS records: psp.azdps.gov
- Accident reports: BuyCrash or CrashDocs
- City police: Check the department website for GovQA or JustFOIA links
- County sheriff: Look for NextRequest or similar portals
Mail requests should include the date of the incident, names of people involved, case or report number if known, and your contact information. Add payment by money order or business check. Mail to the records unit at the agency that handled the incident. Response times run 10 to 20 business days for most Arizona police records by mail.
In-person visits work best when you need certified copies or have complex requests. Bring valid ID. Know the case details before you arrive. Most records offices keep business hours Monday through Friday. Some have limited public window hours, so call ahead to confirm.
Note: Many Arizona agencies do not accept personal checks or credit cards for police records.
Arizona Criminal History Records
The Central State Repository at DPS maintains Arizona criminal history records under ARS 41-1750. The database includes fingerprints, arrest records, charges, and case dispositions for felonies and domestic violence offenses statewide.
Individuals can review their own criminal history record to check for errors. Request a Record Review Packet by calling (602) 223-2000, option 2, then option 3. Complete the packet and return it. DPS will send your record within 15 days. You can challenge incorrect information through this process.
Private employers and citizens cannot get criminal history checks directly from DPS for employment or personal reasons. ARS 41-1750(G) limits who can access full criminal history data. Employers must use authorized background check services that comply with state and federal law.
Police Officer Disciplinary Records
ARS 39-128 makes disciplinary records of public employees public in Arizona. This includes police officers. Completed disciplinary actions, suspensions, demotions, and terminations are accessible through records requests.
Personal information gets redacted from released records. Home addresses, phone numbers, and other protected details are removed. The disciplinary action itself, the reasons for it, and the outcome remain public. This transparency helps hold Arizona police officers accountable.
Request officer disciplinary records from the agency where the officer works. Use the same process as other Arizona police records. Some agencies charge hourly fees if the request requires extensive research to locate and compile records.
Browse Arizona Police Records by County
Each Arizona county has a Sheriff's Office that maintains police records for unincorporated areas. Pick a county below to find local contact info and request procedures.
Arizona Police Records in Major Cities
City police departments handle records for incidents within city limits. Select a city below to learn about their records request process.