Access Surprise Police Records

Surprise police records are maintained by the Surprise Police Department in the northwest Phoenix metro area. The department serves approximately 168,000 residents in one of Arizona's fastest growing cities. You can request incident reports, clearance letters, fingerprints, and other documents through their GovQA platform or in person at the station. The city offers several public safety services beyond standard records requests.

How to Request Surprise Police Records

Visit the Surprise Police public records page to access the GovQA platform. Create an account to submit requests, track progress, and pay fees online. The system sends notifications when your records are ready. You can manage multiple requests from a single account.

The Surprise PD records page screenshot shows the department public records portal and fee structure for various services.

You can also visit the station at 14250 W. Statler Plaza, Surprise, AZ 85374. Call (623) 222-4000 for general questions. Email police@surpriseaz.com with inquiries about Surprise police records. Hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday. Staff can help you determine what records exist and estimate costs.

Processing times vary based on the type of request. Simple incident reports are usually ready within a week or two. Requests involving video footage take longer because staff must review and redact protected content. The department will contact you if they need additional information to locate your records. Keep your case number handy when following up on requests.

Fingerprints and Clearance Letters

Surprise Police Department offers public fingerprinting for $15. This service helps with background checks, employment applications, professional licensing, and volunteer positions. Call ahead to confirm availability and any appointment requirements. Bring a valid photo ID when you arrive.

Letters of clearance cost $10. These documents show whether you have any local arrest history with Surprise PD. Many employers and landlords request clearance letters as part of their screening process. The letter covers arrests made by Surprise Police only. It does not include information from other agencies or the state criminal history database.

If you need a complete background check covering all Arizona agencies, contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety. They operate the Central State Repository under ARS 41-1750. A local clearance letter from Surprise PD is faster and cheaper but limited in scope.

Surprise Police Records Fees

Copy fees range from $0.15 to $35 depending on the number of pages. The fee structure scales based on volume. Small requests cost less while large document sets cost more. Contact the department for exact pricing on your specific request before submitting.

Standard fee schedule:

• Copy fees: $0.15 to $35 depending on pages
• Images and recordings: $20
• Fingerprints: $15
• Letter of Clearance: $10
• Shipping fee: $7

Crime victims receive free copies under ARS 39-127. This covers police reports, audio recordings, and video from their case. Identify yourself as the victim when you submit your request for Surprise police records. Staff will verify your status in the case file and waive all applicable fees. This applies to Part I crimes, domestic violence, and sexual offenses.

Arizona Public Records Access

ARS 39-121 requires public records be available during office hours. Surprise police records fall under this law. You do not need to explain why you want the records. Anyone can request access regardless of their reason or where they live.

Some records have restrictions under state and federal law. Active investigations may delay release until the case is closed. Records involving juveniles have names and identifying information removed before release. Victim information is protected in many situations. Medical records, social security numbers, and other sensitive data are blacked out. Staff apply these redactions before providing copies to the public.

Video fees are capped at $46 per hour under ARS 39-129. This applies to body camera footage, interview recordings, and surveillance video. The fee covers staff time to review and redact protected content. Crime victims are exempt from video fees for recordings related to their own case.

Surprise Police Contact Information

Contact the department for Surprise police records requests. Staff can answer questions about fees, processing times, and what records are available.

Police Station:

• Address: 14250 W. Statler Plaza, Surprise, AZ 85374
• Phone: (623) 222-4000
• Email: police@surpriseaz.com
• Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm

Surprise and Maricopa County

Surprise sits in Maricopa County. For incidents outside city limits, contact the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff handles unincorporated desert areas and communities without their own police force. MCSO has a separate records request process through their Phoenix headquarters.

Surprise has grown rapidly over the past two decades. The city is located in the northwest valley between Loop 303 and the White Tank Mountains. The police department serves the incorporated city area. Arizona Department of Public Safety handles incidents on state highways. If you are unsure which agency responded to an incident, check the case number prefix or call dispatch.

Nearby Arizona Cities

These cities are near Surprise and have their own police departments.