Access to North Carolina police records is open to the public in accordance to the North Carolina General Statute. The records come into the public's property as defined under Section 132-1 of the Statute which states public records as any document whether it be electronic or not in nature, which the government or its agencies come into as a result of their transactions with the public. The records are free though some cities might charge the researcher a minimal fee to cover copy cost.
Though government records are accessible anytime, some records are restricted due to the nature of the case. Such restrictions include records of criminal nature, intelligence reports, 911 emergency responses, as well as reports that include sensitive images such as autopsies (though some of the case report might be available for public use). These exemptions and others are further discussed in the General Statute.
The Record Division of the City's Police Department categorizes the reports based on the type of the records. The records are classified under (a) traffic or crash reports, (b) crime or felony and (c) non-emergency. The Record Division is open during working hours and one can readily go to the division and ask for the reports they want or need. The files are also accessible through online requests. Some cities, as mentioned, provide the services free although others do charge a certain amount.
Residents of Asheville for example, can visit the Central Police Department in the lobby of the Police HQ and look at the police records during working hours. They can also send a self-addressed stamped envelope and forward it to the Central Records Unit. Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents however are required to pay $3.50 for a PDF format of the police report. The report is free if one visits the police headquarters on East Trade Street.
Requesting for the record is made through several means though almost all of the requests are taken care of by the Records Division of the City's Police Department. One can fax in their request, make a phone call, email or walk in personally during working hours. Requests made through online or fax should be specific, as the law does not specify how long it would take to grant the request; being specific and direct makes it easier for the agency to provide the needed records. Walk-ins can check the resources that they requested and ask for a copy of the documents in the format that they prefer.
If one is looking for police reports, do bear in mind that some reports might be too sensitive for the public that their requests will be denied by the Record Division. If this happens, one can ask the custodian for specific reasons why they are not allowed access. There are some instances where parts of the reports might be released to the public. To make searching police records easier, some cities have already set up their online service system where one can send in their request. This is the fastest and most convenient way for one to have the reports they need.
Though government records are accessible anytime, some records are restricted due to the nature of the case. Such restrictions include records of criminal nature, intelligence reports, 911 emergency responses, as well as reports that include sensitive images such as autopsies (though some of the case report might be available for public use). These exemptions and others are further discussed in the General Statute.
The Record Division of the City's Police Department categorizes the reports based on the type of the records. The records are classified under (a) traffic or crash reports, (b) crime or felony and (c) non-emergency. The Record Division is open during working hours and one can readily go to the division and ask for the reports they want or need. The files are also accessible through online requests. Some cities, as mentioned, provide the services free although others do charge a certain amount.
Residents of Asheville for example, can visit the Central Police Department in the lobby of the Police HQ and look at the police records during working hours. They can also send a self-addressed stamped envelope and forward it to the Central Records Unit. Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents however are required to pay $3.50 for a PDF format of the police report. The report is free if one visits the police headquarters on East Trade Street.
Requesting for the record is made through several means though almost all of the requests are taken care of by the Records Division of the City's Police Department. One can fax in their request, make a phone call, email or walk in personally during working hours. Requests made through online or fax should be specific, as the law does not specify how long it would take to grant the request; being specific and direct makes it easier for the agency to provide the needed records. Walk-ins can check the resources that they requested and ask for a copy of the documents in the format that they prefer.
If one is looking for police reports, do bear in mind that some reports might be too sensitive for the public that their requests will be denied by the Record Division. If this happens, one can ask the custodian for specific reasons why they are not allowed access. There are some instances where parts of the reports might be released to the public. To make searching police records easier, some cities have already set up their online service system where one can send in their request. This is the fastest and most convenient way for one to have the reports they need.
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