Fresno Police Department
Records Bureau
Welcome to the Fresno Police Department Records Bureau.
The Records Bureau consists of two shifts functioning 7-days a week basis. Records Bureau is organized to maintain criminal history and crime report files, process and redistribute incoming police information, provide over-the-counter services to citizens, provide state-wide teletype service to support the Department, and provide law enforcement officers with access to this information.
I) THE FUNCTIONS OF THE RECORDS BUREAU ARE:
Case Document Scanning/Archiving; Case Management; Copy/Distribution Desk; Law Enforcement Counter Assistance; Public Counter Assistance; Teletype Unit; Daily Crime Bulletin Preparation; and Dictation Transcription Service Coordination.
II) THE TYPE OF TASKS PERFORMED ARE:
Vehicle releases; Report releases; Background checks for authorized Law Enforcement; Transcription coordination of dictated police reports; Digital conversion of police reports and related paper documents; Case Management of police reports; National and Statewide teletype services; and Process requests for police reports, subpoenas and records checks for Public agencies and authorized private agencies.
III) THE POSITIONS WITHIN THE RECORDS BUREAU ARE:
Bureau Manager; Supervisors; Senior Administrative Clerks; Administrative Clerks; and Transcriptionists.
The Public Services Include:
Providing information and copies of police reports to victims or representatives and insurance companies
Providing vehicle information and releases for impounded vehicles
Providing Local Criminal History to Authorized Persons or Agencies
IV) MOST FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS - POLICE REPORTS
1) Who can obtain a copy of a police report?
- To obtain a copy of a traffic accident, you must be listed as the driver, passenger, or an authorized representative of the people listed in the report or someone filing a claim.
- To obtain a copy of a property or person crime report, you must provide a case number or other related information to assist in identifying the incident. The report may be released if it is not still under investigation or restricted.
- If you are an arrested party on a police report and charges are filed by the Fresno County District Attorney's Office, the Deputy District Attorney will provide a copy of the police report to your attorney at the arraignment hearing. If you are not represented by an attorney, the Deputy District Attorney will provide a copy of the report to you at the arraignment hearing.
Do not go to the District Attorney’s Office to request a copy of the police report.
- If a juvenile is listed on the police report as a suspect, is arrested, or the activity may result in dependency procedures, you can only obtain a copy after a juvenile court order is obtained through the Juvenile Delinquency Court, Juvenile Justice Campus, 3333 E. American Ave, Bldg. 701, Ste. A, Fresno, CA 93725, (559-495-6200.)
2) How do I obtain a copy of a police report?
- Come to the Records Bureau Public Counter, Police Headquarters, 2323 Mariposa Mall, daily from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Due to the limited hours of operation, please be prepared to wait in line. Each customer must obtain a service ticket – available adjacent to the window – individuals will be called in numerical order.
- You will need current/valid identification to receive a report.
- You will need to complete a request form, which states your interest in the police report. Please include the case number or detailed information to assist us in determining the correct case number.
3) How much will it cost? How can I pay for it?
- Effective March 27, 2001, there will be no charge for accident, crimes, or documented event reports. EXCEPTION: If the police report is over 10 pages, there will be a charge of .20 cents per page (which will include page #1, and all additional pages).
- For more defined costs please refer to the City of Fresno - Master Fee Schedule; which, can be found at the following URL: http://www.fresno.gov/Government/DepartmentDirectory/Finance/Budget/MasterFeeSchedule/default.htm
- If applicable: Make your certified check or money order payable to the City of Fresno. We also accept most major credit cards when you come in person. NO CASH OR PERSONAL CHECKS ACCEPTED.
You will need current/valid identification to receive a report.
4) Can I request a police or accident report by mail?
- Yes. You can request a copy of a report by sending a written request listing the following information: your name, case number, date and time occurred, what type of incident, and the need for the information. If the report is over 10 pages, there will be a charge of .20 cents a page (which will include page #1 and all additional pages).
- Please send your request, and a photocopy of your current Drivers’ License, along with payment, if over 10 pages, to: Fresno Police Department, Attention: Records Bureau, P. O. Box 1271, Fresno, CA 93715-1271.
V) MOST FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS - VEHICLE INFORMATION
1) How do I find out if my car has been towed, repossessed or impounded?
- Call the Records Bureau at (559) 621-2534. Please be prepared to provide the license plate number or the vehicle identification number (VIN).
- Also any information that the officer issued to the person who was last driving your car when it was impounded is helpful.
- If you do not know the license plate or VIN, please check your paperwork (such as the pink slip, vehicle repair receipts or insurance papers) that you may have. Without the above information we are unable to provide the research.
2) How can I get a release for my vehicle?
- Your vehicle will not be available for a minimum of 24 hours after the time of tow. Listed below is where you may obtain your vehicle release form:
- Monday – Friday; 10 AM - 2 PM from the Fresno Police Department Headquarters, 2323 Mariposa Mall, Fresno.
- We are CLOSED ON HOLIDAYS
- The vehicle must be currently registered.
- The vehicle will only be released to the licensed registered or legal owner*
- If the registered owner does not have a valid driver's license he or she will need a State of California identification card, or another acceptable form of identification, and accompanied by a valid, licensed driver.
- With the registered owner's consent, a vehicle release can be issued to another licensed driver.
- You must contact the Fresno Police at (559) 621-2534, for this requirement.
- * By default, only the driver listed on the vehicle release may obtain the vehicle from the tow yard.
3) How much will it cost? How can I pay for it?
If your Vehicle was:
- STORED ONLY: NO FEE - No vehicle release is necessary, go directly to the tow company to get your vehicle.
- IMPOUNDED: ($184.00) plus any additional fees as specified by officer on information sheet provided to you at time of the tow (see below).
- IMPOUNDED 30 DAYS: ($184.00) plus any additional fees as specified by officer on information sheet provided to you at the time of the tow.
Additional Fees:
$110.00 ... Added for unlicensed driver, suspended license, DUI, or ignition interlock.
You will be given the tow company's name and phone number to call for the tow company's payment policy.
4) My vehicle was impounded for driving with a suspended driver's license. What happens now?
- California Vehicle Code section 14602.6 mandates the impoundment of a vehicle if the driver is cited for driving with a suspended license.
- The vehicle will be impounded for 30 days.
- The owner of the vehicle is responsible for storage fees.
- If your vehicle was impounded for 30 days, you may contact the Tow Coordinator at (559) 621-2543, within the first ten (10), days, for a hearing to release your vehicle prior to 30 days.
5) How can I dispute a vehicle impoundment?
VEHICLE TOW HEARINGS
The vehicle owner is entitled to have a hearing with the Tow Hearing officer.To request a hearing call the Hearing Officer at (559) 621-2543 within ten (10) days of the tow.
How you can prevent your vehicle from being impounded?
- Do not drive if you have a suspended driver's license, unless your type of suspension states you can drive under certain circumstances. Please observe those restrictions.
- Keep your vehicle registration up-to-date. If you have a Certificate of Non-Operation on your vehicle, do not park it on a public street.
- Do not loan your vehicle to an unlicensed driver or a person with a suspended driver's license. You will be financially responsible.
- Do not operate the vehicle if you are not appropriately licensed. Certain vehicles require special driver's licenses, such as motorcycles.
- Do not park your unattended vehicle on a public street for more than 72 hours. After 72 hours, any vehicle, if it is not moved, can be impounded as an abandoned vehicle.
6) How do I report my vehicle stolen?
- Call the Fresno Police Department Communications Center at (559) 621-7000.
7) What if my vehicle was repossessed?
- You must contact the legal owner of the vehicle. Generally, this is the person or company to which you make your payments.
VI) OTHER INFORMATION
1) How do I find out if someone has been arrested?
- Call the Fresno County Sheriff's Office at (559) 488-3031.
2) How do I find out if I have warrants for my arrest?
- Call the Fresno County Sheriff's Office at (559) 488-3993.
3) How do I obtain a copy of my local criminal record?
- Come to the Records Bureau Public Window, located at 2323 Mariposa Mall.
- Please have a current, valid identification.
- The cost for this service is $30.00, payable by money order or credit card.
- No one can obtain or review your local criminal record but you!
4) How do I add information to my police report?
- Call the Fresno Police Department Communications Center at (559) 621-7000.
5) How do I obtain a police clearance letter for immigration or visa purposes?