Find Haverhill Police Records
Haverhill police records are kept by the Haverhill Police Department and county agencies in Essex County. The city sits along the Merrimack River in the northern part of the state. You can request incident reports, arrest logs, crash data, and other police records from the department or use state tools to search for records tied to Haverhill cases. This page covers how to get police records in Haverhill, the fees involved, what state law says about access, and which county resources are available.
Haverhill Overview
Haverhill Police Department Records
The Haverhill Police Department is the main source for police records in the city. The department handles incident reports, arrest records, crash reports, and daily activity logs. You can visit the station in person, call, or send a written request to get copies of police records. Staff at the records window can help you figure out which records are on file and walk you through the request process.
When you visit, bring a valid photo ID. Have the date of the incident, names of people involved, and a case number if you have one. These details help staff find your records faster. If you are not sure what information is available, the front desk can check for you and let you know what reports are on file for a given date or incident.
Note: Call the department before visiting to confirm the records window is open and staffed.
How to Request Haverhill Police Records
You can request Haverhill police records by mail, in person, or through the city's public records process. Under M.G.L. c.66 §10, any person can ask for police records from a Massachusetts government agency. The Haverhill Police Department must respond within 10 business days. Your request should describe the records you want as clearly as you can.
Include the type of report, date range, names, and any reference numbers you have. Vague requests take longer because staff have to search through more records to find what you might be looking for. A focused request that gives specific details gets results faster. The department can ask for more information if your request is too broad.
Copies cost $0.05 per page for standard black and white prints. The first two hours of staff time to search for your records are free. After that, the city can charge $25 per hour under state fee rules set by 950 CMR 32.08. If the estimated cost is high, the department will let you know so you can narrow your request or decide how to proceed.
Haverhill Crash Reports
If you were in a car accident in Haverhill, the responding officer files a crash report with the department. You can get a copy from the police station or order it online. The report includes the date, time, location, vehicles and drivers involved, and a summary of what happened. Citations issued at the scene are also noted in the report.
The BuyCrash portal is the fastest online option for Haverhill crash reports. The state-run site lets you search by name or report number. There is a small fee per report. Reports usually show up on the site within a few days to a week after the officer files them. BuyCrash is available 24 hours a day, so you can get your report outside of regular business hours.
The Massachusetts State Police records request page can help if you need records from an accident on a state highway near Haverhill. State police handle incidents on highways and some other roads, so their records are separate from the city department.
Note: State police and Haverhill police keep separate records, so check which agency responded to your incident.
Essex County Resources for Haverhill
Haverhill is part of Essex County. The Essex County District Attorney's office has a location right in the city at 45 Essex Street, Haverhill, MA 01830. This office handles prosecution of criminal cases from Haverhill. The DA keeps records on cases it prosecutes, including charges, plea deals, and case outcomes. If you need records tied to a criminal prosecution, the DA's office is the place to ask.
Court records for Haverhill cases can be searched through MassCourts. This free state tool lets you look up cases by name or case number. You can find docket entries, hearing dates, and case status for cases filed in the Haverhill District Court and other courts in the county.
For criminal history checks, the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services runs the CORI system. A personal check costs $25. This is a state-level tool that covers all Massachusetts courts and is not limited to Haverhill alone.
Haverhill Police Records and Public Access
Massachusetts law gives the public a right to access police records. Under M.G.L. c.4 §7(26), records are public unless a specific exemption applies. The most common exemptions involve open investigations, witness safety concerns, and personal privacy protections. If Haverhill withholds any records, they must explain which exemption applies.
Every police department in the state must keep a daily log of significant activity. This log lists arrests, calls for service, and other notable events. The log is public and does not require a formal request. You can ask to see the daily log at the Haverhill Police Department during business hours. It gives you a quick snapshot of recent police activity in the city.
If your request is denied, you can appeal to the Supervisor of Records at the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The appeal costs nothing. Under M.G.L. c.66 §10A, you can also take the matter to court. The court can order the release of records and may award attorney fees if you win.
State Resources for Haverhill Records
In addition to the Haverhill Police Department, several state agencies hold records that may relate to cases in the city. The Massachusetts State Police keeps records for incidents they respond to, including highway crashes and other calls in the Haverhill area. You can submit a request directly through their online portal.
The state public records request page is a general resource for submitting requests to any Massachusetts agency. If you are not sure which agency holds the records you need, this is a good starting point. The state walks you through the process and can direct you to the right office. For 911 call recordings tied to Haverhill incidents, the state handles those requests through a separate process from regular police records.
Essex County Police Records
Haverhill is in Essex County. The county DA has an office in the city, and the county sheriff manages custody records. For full details on county-level police records resources, visit the Essex County page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities in the Merrimack Valley and North Shore share Essex County resources with Haverhill.