Police Reports, Records and Freedom of Information Act

How to Receive this Service

Traffic Accident Report: Any person involved or injured in the accident, his/her attorney, or the person’s insurance company may receive a copy of the accident report. A driver’s license or other picture identification must be presented prior to reports being released. Some requests for reports may also be handled by mail. Please call 501-4809 for more information. 

Criminal Record Check: The record subject must appear in person at the Public Safety Building in order to initiate a criminal record check. The requester must present two (2) forms of identification, one of which must be a photo identification. The only acceptable forms of identification are current driver’s license, passport, birth certificate, military identification or social security card. This transcript will show ONLY offenses for which you WERE NOT fingerprinted, offenses ONLY in Henrico County, and DOES NOT include traffic or juvenile offenses. More extensive criminal information must be obtained from the State Police headquarters on Midlothian Turnpike. Traffic offense transcripts can be obtained from Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Incident/Offense Reports: The majority of incident reports may be released to the victim or reporting person. In cases involving loss of or damaged property, the report may also be released to the insurance company. Occasionally, there will be a delay in receiving the report because the officer or investigator’s approval to release the report may be necessary. A photo identification, such as a driver’s license, must be presented prior to receiving reports.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA): While FOIA provides for the release of many records, there are some exceptions in the law that allow the Police Division to withhold records in whole or in part. As examples, the law allows the Police Division to withhold certain records concerning juveniles, criminal investigative files, and noncriminal records that contain identifying information of a personal, medical, or financial nature where the release of such information would jeopardize the safety or privacy of any person. If the Police Division withholds records you request, you will be informed of what was withheld and why. FOIA allows a reasonable fee to be charged to the requester. This fee will not exceed the actual cost incurred in accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for the requested records.

Please remember to bring all the required documents and identification with you. We cannot process your request without them.