Access Boston Police Records
Boston police records cover a wide range of documents held by the Boston Police Department and other city offices. If you need an incident report, arrest record, or crash report from Boston, there are a few ways to get them. The city runs its own public records portal and also lets you reach out by mail or email. Some records are free to look up while others come with small copy fees. Boston handles more police reports than any other city in the state, so the process is well set up for public use. This page walks through how to search for and get Boston police records from the right source.
Boston at a Glance
Boston Police Department Records
The Boston Police Department is based at One Schroeder Plaza in Roxbury Crossing. It is one of the largest police forces in New England. The BPD handles all incident reports, arrest logs, and crime data for the city. You can reach the main line at (617) 343-4500. For records, the department has a set process that goes through the public records office.
Boston has a Records Access Officer who handles public records requests under M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10. The current RAO is Grace Jung. You can reach her at grace.jung@boston.gov or call 617-635-4037. She can help you find the right form or point you to the correct unit for your request. The BPD must respond to your request within 10 business days under state law.
You can also email the police report unit at policereport@pd.boston.gov for copies of specific reports. This is a good option if you know the report number or date of the incident you need.
Note: Boston police records requests go through the city's public records office, not the front desk at local stations.
How to Search Boston Police Records
There are a few ways to search for police records in Boston. The city runs a public records portal at boston.gov/departments/public-records where you can submit a formal request online. This is the fastest way to start the process. You fill out a form, describe what you need, and the city routes it to the right department. Most requests get a response within 10 business days, though some take longer if the records need review for exempt information under M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26).
The Boston public records portal is where most requests for Boston police records start. Below is what the portal looks like.
From this page you can file your request and track its status as the city works on it.
For court case records tied to Boston arrests, you can also search MassCourts. That system covers cases in the Boston Municipal Court and Suffolk County courts. It shows case numbers, party names, and docket entries but not the actual police reports.
Note: Online searches show case info but not full police reports. You need to request those from the BPD directly.
Boston Police Records Request Process
To get a copy of a Boston police record, you can submit your request in three ways. The online portal at boston.gov is the most common method. You can also send an email to policereport@pd.boston.gov or mail a written request to One Schroeder Plaza, Roxbury Crossing, MA 02120. Each method works, but the online portal gives you tracking so you can check on your request status.
When you make a request, include as much detail as you can. Give the date of the incident, the names of people involved, and the report number if you have it. The more details you include, the faster the staff can find what you need. Vague requests take longer because staff must search through more records to find the right ones.
The Boston Police Department website has more details on what records the department holds and how to reach specific units.
The BPD site shows contact info for each division and links to additional resources for the public.
Crash reports from Boston are also available through BuyCrash.com. This site lets you search for motor vehicle accident reports by date, name, or report number. The fee is about $20 per report. You can also get crash reports from the RMV for the same cost.
What Boston Police Records Include
Boston police records can include many types of documents. Incident reports are the most common. These cover calls for service, crimes reported to police, and the details of what happened. Arrest records show who was taken into custody, the charges, and the date. The BPD also keeps body camera footage, 911 call recordings, and internal affairs files.
Some records have limits on what can be released. Under M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26), certain law enforcement records are exempt from public disclosure if releasing them could harm an ongoing investigation. Sealed records and juvenile records are not available to the public. The Suffolk County District Attorney's office also holds case files that are separate from police reports. You can reach them at SCDAOPRR@state.ma.us or call (617) 619-4357 for records from their office.
CORI records, which track criminal history across the state, are managed by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services. These are separate from local police reports and require their own request process under M.G.L. Chapter 6, Sections 167-178.
Boston Police Records Fees
Boston follows the state fee schedule for public records under 950 CMR 32.08. Copies cost $0.05 per page for standard black and white prints. The first two hours of staff time to search for and compile your records are free. After that, the city can charge $25 per hour for additional search time.
There is no charge to inspect records in person at the public records office. You only pay when you want copies. If a request will cost more than expected, the city will let you know before they start the work. You can narrow your request to bring the cost down. Most simple requests for a single incident report or arrest record cost very little or nothing at all.
Crash reports through BuyCrash cost about $20 each. That fee goes to the vendor, not the city. If you need 911 recordings, those go through a separate state process.
Legal Resources for Boston Records
If your request gets denied, you can appeal. Under M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10A, you can file a petition with the Supervisor of Records. The supervisor will review your case and issue a ruling within 10 business days. If you still disagree, you can take the matter to Superior Court. The court may award legal fees if you win.
The Secretary of State's office has guides on how public records work in Massachusetts. Their site explains how to file requests, what the law says, and how to appeal a denial. This is a good place to start if you run into problems getting Boston police records.
Suffolk County Police Records
Boston sits in Suffolk County. The county also includes Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop. Suffolk County law enforcement agencies coordinate through shared court systems and the district attorney's office. For more on county-level records and resources, check the Suffolk County page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Boston also have police records pages on this site.