Maricopa County Police Records

Maricopa County police records are maintained by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, the largest sheriff's office in Arizona. MCSO handles law enforcement for unincorporated areas of Maricopa County and operates the county jail system. You can request incident reports, arrest records, accident reports, and other police records through their records division. The sheriff's office also provides body camera footage and 911 recordings through a separate public records request process.

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How to Request Maricopa County Police Records

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has two main divisions for records. The Reports Section handles incident reports and departmental records. The Public Records and Request Management Section handles photos, videos, body camera footage, and 911 tapes. Each has its own process and contact info.

For standard Maricopa County police records like incident reports, visit the MCSO Request a Report page. You can request records in person at their office or submit a written request by mail. The Reports Section is located at 111 S. 3rd Ave, 3rd Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Call (602) 876-1078 for questions about report status or availability.

In-person hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Phone hours extend to 5:00 PM. If you need your request processed faster, an in-person visit is usually the quickest option for standard Maricopa County police records.

Note: MCSO does not accept personal checks or credit cards for payment.

Maricopa County Sheriff Records Fees

Fees for Maricopa County police records vary by type. Incident reports cost $5.00 for the first 10 pages. Each page after that adds $0.50. Most standard reports fall within the base fee since they run under 10 pages.

Accident reports are available through BuyCrash online. The base cost is $5.00 plus a LexisNexis convenience fee. This is the fastest way to get traffic collision reports from MCSO. Reports are typically available 5 to 14 days after the crash.

Video recordings from Maricopa County Sheriff have a different fee structure. The charge is $25 per video-hour, broken down to $6.25 per quarter hour. This covers body camera footage, dash cam video, and jail surveillance. Crime victims can get one free copy under ARS 39-127.

Payment must be by cash, money order, cashier's check, or business check. The sheriff's office does not take personal checks or credit cards. Bring exact payment when visiting in person.

MCSO Public Records Request Process

Requests for 911 tapes, photos, videos, and body camera footage go through a different process than standard reports. Submit these to the MCSO Public Records and Request Management Section. Their office is at 550 W. Jackson St., Phoenix, AZ 85003.

Contact public records staff at (602) 876-3400 or email publicrecordsrequest@mcso.maricopa.gov. Media requests go to mediarequest@mcso.maricopa.gov. Include as much detail as possible about what you need, including dates, names, and case numbers if you have them.

Processing times vary based on what you request. Simple photo requests may take a few weeks. Body camera footage takes longer due to the review and redaction process. Staff must watch all footage to remove protected information before release. Budget extra time for complex Maricopa County police records requests.

Free Police Records for Crime Victims

ARS 39-127 gives crime victims special rights when requesting Maricopa County police records. Victims of criminal offenses can get one copy of the incident report at no charge. This also covers audio and video recordings from their case. Family members can request on behalf of a victim who 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 report. Staff will verify your status before waiving fees. This right helps victims get records they need for court, insurance, protective orders, and other legal matters.

Maricopa County Police Records Online

MCSO offers several online tools for accessing police records. The BuyCrash portal lets you search and purchase accident reports by date, location, or name. Reports cost $5 plus a service fee. This is the fastest way to get collision reports without visiting in person.

RAIDS Online provides crime mapping for Maricopa County. You can see recent incidents by location and type. This helps you understand crime patterns in specific areas. The data updates regularly and covers incidents reported to MCSO.

For general information about Maricopa County police records, visit the MCSO Public Records page. This site explains what records are available, how to request them, and what fees apply. You can also find forms and instructions for various record types.

Public Access to Maricopa County Police Records

Arizona law gives the public broad access to police records. Under ARS 39-121, public records must be open for inspection during office hours. You do not need to give a reason for your request. This applies to Maricopa County police records held by the sheriff's office.

Some information gets redacted before release. Records involving minors may have names and details removed. Active investigation files may be withheld until the case closes. Personal information like home addresses of victims or witnesses is typically blacked out. The agency decides what to redact based on state law and department policy.

If MCSO denies your request, you can appeal. ARS 39-121.02 lets you file a special action in superior court. The court can order release of records and award attorney fees if you win. Most requests get processed without problems, but know your rights if issues arise.

Note: Commercial requests may require additional documentation and higher fees.

Maricopa County Sheriff Contact Information

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has multiple locations and contact numbers. For Maricopa County police records, these are the main contacts you need.

Reports Section for incident reports and standard records:

Address: 111 S. 3rd Ave, 3rd Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 876-1078
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM (in person), 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (phone)

Public Records Section for photos, videos, and 911 recordings:

Address: 550 W. Jackson St., Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 876-3400
Email: publicrecordsrequest@mcso.maricopa.gov

For accidents that occurred on state highways or interstates, contact Arizona DPS instead. MCSO only handles incidents in their jurisdiction. Check your report or call to confirm which agency has your records.

Cities in Maricopa County

Maricopa County contains most of Arizona's largest cities. Each city has its own police department that handles records for incidents within city limits. For crimes or accidents in these cities, contact the city police department directly.

Major cities with their own police departments:

MCSO handles police records for unincorporated areas and contract cities. If you are unsure which agency has your records, call MCSO and they can direct you to the right place.

Nearby Arizona Counties

If your incident happened near county borders, you may need records from a neighboring sheriff's office. Here are the counties that border Maricopa County.

Pinal County Yavapai County Gila County Yuma County La Paz County