Residents of North Carolina have the right to access North Carolina police records as these are considered "public records". Public records as defined in the State's General Statutes means any documents including papers, books, films, photographs, electronic records and other materials that agencies of the government come in contact with in its dealing with the public (NC Gen. Statutes 132-1). All public records are the people's property; hence, the public can obtain any record including police records for free or with minimal cost.
Although the public has the right to access the records, there are some exemptions to the Statute. Examples of these exemptions include - (a) criminal investigations records (Statute 132 sec. 1.3); (b) Intelligence information record (Statute 132 sec. 1.4); (c) Information included in a 911 response (Statute 132 sec. 1.5); (d) Autopsy photos (Statute 132 sec. 1.8) and (e) Emergency Response (Statute 132 sec 1.6). The exceptions are just some of the exclusions in the Statute; other situations wherein the police department might refuse the release of the records are also indicated in the Statute.
For people who are looking for a police report, they must determine the nature of the report that they want. The reports are classified under crime reports for reports that relate to criminals or felonies, crash reports for accidents or traffic-related cases and non-emergency reports - reports that are not urgent by nature. The researcher can head to the Records Division to access the files free or have it delivered online. Note that some cities are allowed by the Law to charge a minimal amount to cover cost.
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.
Although the public has the right to access the records, there are some exemptions to the Statute. Examples of these exemptions include - (a) criminal investigations records (Statute 132 sec. 1.3); (b) Intelligence information record (Statute 132 sec. 1.4); (c) Information included in a 911 response (Statute 132 sec. 1.5); (d) Autopsy photos (Statute 132 sec. 1.8) and (e) Emergency Response (Statute 132 sec 1.6). The exceptions are just some of the exclusions in the Statute; other situations wherein the police department might refuse the release of the records are also indicated in the Statute.
For people who are looking for a police report, they must determine the nature of the report that they want. The reports are classified under crime reports for reports that relate to criminals or felonies, crash reports for accidents or traffic-related cases and non-emergency reports - reports that are not urgent by nature. The researcher can head to the Records Division to access the files free or have it delivered online. Note that some cities are allowed by the Law to charge a minimal amount to cover cost.
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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