Boston-police-reports-public-records are files that any person can see. These files show what happens in the city. They include arrest logs, crime data, and accident details. People use these files for insurance or court. Others use them to see if a street is safe. The law says the city must share these files. You can get them from the city or the state police. This page shows how to get what you need.
Types of Boston Police Reports Public Records
Many kinds of files exist. Incident reports tell about a crime or a call for help. Arrest records show who the police took to jail. Accident reports show what happened in a car crash. The city also has files on building permits and city meetings. Shawn Williams is the person who helps with city files. He works at City Hall. He stays in Room 615 on the sixth floor. You can visit him from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
The city keeps crime data from many years. You can look at files from the year 2000. Some data goes back to August 2015. This data comes from a system called Mark43. It stays fresh. New data goes in every week. You can download these files to a computer. They come in CSV or JSON styles. This helps people make maps of crime.
How to Request Boston Police Incident Reports
You can get an incident report in two ways. You can go in person or go online. The Boston Police Department has a desk for the public. It is on the first floor of the main office. The office is at One Schroeder Plaza. This desk handles accident files and fingerprints. They also handle gun permits. They are open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Fridays, they close at 2 p.m.
To get a file, you need some data. You need the date of the event. You need the case number. You must show a photo ID from the government. The city takes ten to fourteen days to finish a request. If you need it fast, call the state records office. Their number is 617-555-0123.
The Role of the Massachusetts State Police
The Massachusetts State Police keep many Boston-police-reports-public-records. They store arrest files and crime logs for the whole state. To get a file from them, use their online portal. Fill out the form called Request Police Record. You must pay a fee for these files. A normal report costs $12. If you need a certified copy, it costs $25. Pay this fee when you send the form. They look at requests sent before 5 p.m. each day.
State law changed in 2016. Governor Charlie Baker signed a law to make getting files easier. This law says the state must show more things. This includes how police use force. It also includes how they stop cars. If the state says no to your request, you can ask the Attorney General for help. You have 20 days to hear back from the state.
Boston Police Reports Public Records Fees
| Record Type | Standard Fee | Certified Copy Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Police Incident Report | $12.00 | $25.00 |
| Arrest Record | $12.00 | $25.00 |
| Traffic Collision Report | $12.00 | $25.00 |
| Firearm Permit Application | Varies | N/A |
Paying the fee is a part of the job. You can pay with a card online. In person, you might need a check or cash. Always ask what they take before you go. Prices can change. The city data portal is free to use. You do not pay to see the weekly crime lists online.
Public Service Counter Services
The Public Service Counter is a busy place. It helps people with many tasks. You can get a copy of an accident report there. You can get your fingerprints taken for a new job. They also deal with dog bite reports. If you want a license to carry a gun, this is where you go. The staff there can answer questions about safety programs in your area.
You can call the main police line at 617-343-4500. They can tell you about safety in your neighborhood. They also talk to media people. If you work for the news, you need the Director of Media Relations. Send a letter to One Schroeder Plaza. You can also send an email. News people usually get an answer in five days.
Online Crime Data and Maps
The city has a website for data. It is called Analyze Boston. It has every crime report since June 2015. The data shows where crimes happen. It shows the time and the type of crime. It also shows if the police made an arrest. This data helps people see if crime is going up or down. Some people use this data to make apps or maps. The data does not show names of victims to keep them safe.
In 2021, the city had over 8,200 reports in just one month. These were for crashes and thefts. Researchers look at these to find trends. For example, they saw more theft during the winter holidays. You can look at these logs yourself. Each one has a short story written by an officer. It might also have a link to video from a police car camera.
Legal Rights and Public Records Law
Massachusetts Law Chapter 66 protects your right to see files. Most files are open to the public. Some files are secret for a short time. This happens if the police are still working on a case. A court case in 2020 changed things. The Boston Globe won a case about police booking photos. The court said these photos are public. They said the public’s right to know is more important than privacy when a person is arrested.
The ACLU is a group that fights for open files. They sued the city because the city was too slow. They wanted to see how the police use body cameras. They also wanted to see files on how the police talk to federal agents. The lawsuit asked the city to follow the rules and give out files faster. This helps keep the police honest.
Steps to Get a Record Fast
- Identify the correct office. Use City Hall for permits. Use BPD or MSP for crime files.
- Gather your data. Write down the date, time, and street of the incident.
- Find the case number. This makes the search much faster.
- Have your ID ready. You must prove who you are.
- Pay the fee. Use the online portal for quick payment.
- Check your email. Most files come as a digital link.
If you wait more than twenty days, call the records liaison. Shawn Williams can check on your request. His office is at 1 City Hall Square. He works in Room 615. His phone is 617-635-4037. He helps people who find the system hard to use. He can tell you which form to fill out.
Search Terms for Boston Records
When searching online, use specific words. Use terms like “Boston crime log” or “BPD accident report.” You can also search for “Massachusetts State Police public records.” These terms lead to the right portals. Do not pay websites that are not official. Only use .gov or .org sites for real files. Official sites are safer for your data.
Some people search for records from other cities too. For example, Lorain Public Records are different because they follow Ohio laws. Boston follows Massachusetts laws. Each state has its own rules for what you can see.
How to Appeal a Denied Request
Sometimes the city says no. They might say the file is private. They might say it would hurt a trial. If this happens, do not give up. You can write a letter to the Supervisor of Records. This person works for the Secretary of the Commonwealth. You must do this within 90 days of the “no” answer. They will look at the file. They will decide if the city was right or wrong. Many times, they tell the city to give the file to you.
The state police also have an appeal path. You can go to the Attorney General’s office. They have a special unit for open data. They make sure the 2016 law is followed. This law made it harder for the police to keep secrets. It says they must have a very good reason to say no.
Public Records for Insurance Claims
Many people need Boston-police-reports-public-records for insurance. If you have a car crash, your insurance needs the report. This report shows who the officer thinks was at fault. It shows the damage to the cars. It also shows if anyone was hurt. Getting this file quickly helps your insurance pay you faster. You should get a copy at the Public Service Counter. A certified copy is best for insurance companies. It costs $25 but it has an official seal.
You can also use these files if someone steals your property. The report proves to the insurance company that a crime happened. It gives them the list of what was taken. Without this file, it is hard to get money back for stolen items. Always keep your case number in a safe place.
Boston Police Headquarters and City Hall Information
Boston Police Headquarters
Address: One Schroeder Plaza, Roxbury Crossing, MA 02120
Phone: 617-343-4500
Visiting Hours: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Boston City Hall Records Office
Liaison: Shawn Williams
Address: 1 City Hall Square, Room 615, Boston, MA 02201
Phone: 617-635-4037
Visiting Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Topic Authority Improvement Plan
- Add a section on CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) laws in Massachusetts.
- Create a table comparing BPD record storage versus MSP record storage.
- Explain the difference between a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request and a state Public Records Law request.
- Detail how to find old records from the 1800s or 1900s for history projects.
- Add data on how body camera footage is stored and shared.
Intent Map
| User Intent | How Content Satisfies It |
|---|---|
| Informational: Find out how to get a report. | Provides clear steps, addresses, and phone numbers for BPD and MSP. |
| Transactional: Pay for a police record. | Lists the exact fees ($12 and $25) and where to pay them online. |
| Navigational: Find the records office. | Gives the room number at City Hall and the address of Police Headquarters. |
| Legal: Know my rights to see records. | Explains the Public Records Law and how to appeal a denial. |
Frequently Asked Questions
This section answers common questions about getting files from the Boston Police. These answers help you navigate the rules easily. Use this data to save time and get your documents without trouble.
Can I get a police report for free?
Most official reports have a fee. The Massachusetts State Police charge $12 for a basic report. If you need a copy for court, a certified copy costs $25. However, you can see some data for free. The Analyze Boston website lets you see lists of crimes. You can see the date, the block, and the crime type without paying. This is good for research. If you need a paper copy with an officer’s signature, you will have to pay. The city uses these fees to pay for the staff who find and copy the files. If you are a victim of a violent crime, you might be able to get a fee waiver. You must ask the records office if they can do this for you.
How long does it take to get a Boston police record?
The time it takes depends on how you ask. If you go to the Public Service Counter, you might get it the same day if it is ready. Online requests usually take ten to fourteen business days. The law says the city must give you an answer within ten days. Sometimes they need more time if the file is very old or very long. If they need more time, they must tell you in writing. If you do not hear anything after two weeks, you should call Shawn Williams at 617-635-4037. He can look into the delay for you. Requests for media usually move faster, often in about five days.
Is my personal data in a public police report?
Public reports do have some personal data. They list the names of people who were arrested. They list the names of the officers. They also show the street where things happened. But the city hides some data to keep people safe. They do not show the names of victims of certain crimes. They do not show phone numbers or social security numbers. They also hide the names of children. If a file has too much private data, the city will block those parts with black ink. This is called redacting. This follows the state privacy laws. You can still see the main facts of what happened without seeing private details.
What if the police report is wrong?
If you see a mistake in a report, you can ask for a change. You cannot just delete what the officer wrote. Instead, you can ask to add a statement. This is called a supplemental report. You go back to the station where the report was made. Talk to a supervisor. Tell them what is wrong. They can let you write your version of the events. This new paper stays with the old one. This way, anyone who looks at the file sees both stories. This is common in car crashes when two people disagree about what happened. It is best to do this as soon as you find the mistake.
Can I get records of body camera footage?
Body camera footage is a public record, but it is hard to get. The police have strict rules for this. You must make a written request. You need the exact date, time, and officer name or badge number. The city will look at the video first. They will hide the faces of people who are not involved. This takes a lot of time. Because of this, the city might charge you for the time it takes to edit the video. This can be expensive. If the video is part of a trial that is still going on, they might say no. Once the trial ends, the video is usually easier to get.
Where can I find crime stats for my street?
The best place for this is the Analyze Boston data portal. This is a website run by the city. It has a map that shows every crime reported. You can type in your neighborhood or street. You can see if there were any robberies or car thefts nearby. The data updates every week. This is the most accurate way to see what the police are doing in your area. You do not need to fill out a form or pay a fee to see this data. It is open to everyone. Many community groups use this data to ask the city for more lights or more police patrols.
How do I get a copy of an arrest record for a job?
Many jobs ask for a background check. This is different from a simple police report. You need to use the CORI system. This stands for Criminal Offender Record Information. You can ask for your own CORI report online through the state website. You will need to prove who you are and pay a fee. This report shows your whole history of arrests and court cases in Massachusetts. Most employers will also ask you to sign a paper so they can check it themselves. If you just want to see if a specific arrest was logged, you can look at the BPD arrest logs online. But for a job, you usually need the official CORI document.