Access Berkshire County Police Records

Berkshire County police records come from local departments across the westernmost part of Massachusetts. Pittsfield is the county seat and has the largest police force in the area. North Adams, Great Barrington, and Lenox also run their own departments. Searching for police records in Berkshire County means reaching out to the town department where the incident took place. The sheriff's office and court system are also sources for records tied to arrests and criminal cases in this region. This page walks through each option.

Berkshire County Sheriff's Office

The Berkshire County Sheriff's Office is at 467 Cheshire Road in Pittsfield. Phone: (413) 499-7590. The sheriff runs the county jail and holds booking records, custody logs, and inmate information for all of Berkshire County.

Booking records are created when someone is arrested and brought to the county facility. They show the person's name, date of booking, charges, and bail status. These records are public. The sheriff also handles civil process and warrant service across the county. For a copy of a booking or custody record, write to the sheriff's office with the person's full name and the approximate date of the arrest. You can also call to ask about current inmates.

The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security public records page is another resource for statewide records that may touch on Berkshire County cases.

This state-level page explains how to submit records requests to agencies that operate across all Massachusetts counties.

Searching Berkshire County Police Records

Contact the department that made the record. Pittsfield PD covers Pittsfield. North Adams PD handles North Adams. Each town is separate. The records clerk at each station processes requests.

Under M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10, you have the right to request police records from any Massachusetts government agency. Send a written request to the records access officer at the department. Include the name of the person, date of the incident, and any other details you have. You do not need to explain why you want the record. The agency must respond within 10 business days. Copies cost $0.05 per page under 950 CMR 32.08. The first two hours of staff time to search for the record are free.

Berkshire County court records are searchable through MassCourts. This online system covers the Berkshire Superior Court at 76 East Street in Pittsfield (phone: (413) 499-7487) and the district courts in Pittsfield, North Adams, and Great Barrington. Search by name or case number to find charges, hearing dates, and case status. Actual court documents require a trip to the clerk's office.

Note: Berkshire County has many small towns with part-time police departments, so response times can vary.

Berkshire County Local Police Departments

Pittsfield has the biggest police force in Berkshire County. They handle a majority of the county's crime reports. North Adams is the second largest community with its own full-time department. Great Barrington, Lenox, Lee, Dalton, and Williamstown also have active police departments.

Many smaller Berkshire County towns have part-time police or rely on Massachusetts State Police coverage. Towns like Mount Washington, New Ashford, and Tyringham have very small populations. State Police troopers from the local barracks respond to calls in these areas. If you need a record from an incident in one of these smaller towns, check whether it was handled by local police or by State Police. The State Police public records page explains how to request records from their troopers.

Berkshire County Records Request Process

Write a clear request. Name the record you want. Give dates, names, and locations. Send it to the records access officer. Simple requests get fast answers.

If an agency turns you down, you can appeal under M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10A. The Supervisor of Records reviews denials and issues a decision within 10 business days. If the Supervisor sides with you, the agency must hand over the records. If you still cannot get them, take the case to Superior Court. The court can order release and may award attorney fees to successful requesters. The 2016 reform of the public records law strengthened these appeal rights.

Records that are exempt from public access include active investigation files, grand jury proceedings, and certain sensitive categories listed in M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26). When an agency denies a request, they must name the exemption. Closed case files are usually available for public review.

Crash Reports in Berkshire County

For motor vehicle accident reports from Berkshire County, try BuyCrash. Some local departments use this system. You need a report number, crash date, or name to search. Reports are available for a fee.

If State Police handled the crash on a Berkshire County highway, request the report through the RMV crash report request page. Route 2 and the Massachusetts Turnpike both run through Berkshire County and are patrolled by State Police.

CORI and Berkshire County Criminal History

Criminal history records for Berkshire County are in the statewide CORI system managed by DCJIS. Check your own record through iCORI online for $25. M.G.L. Chapter 6, Sections 167-178 control access levels. Personal checks give the most detail.

You need a government-issued photo ID to register for iCORI. Online results come back fast. The DCJIS office is at 200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200 in Chelsea. Phone: (617) 660-4600. CORI covers the entire state, so a single check picks up Berkshire County records along with anything from other counties.

Note: CORI does not include sealed records, juvenile delinquency cases, or non-criminal traffic tickets.

Nearby Counties

Berkshire County sits on the western edge of Massachusetts. It borders two other counties to the east.