Hampshire County Police Records Lookup

Hampshire County police records are kept by local law enforcement agencies across this part of western Massachusetts. Northampton is the county seat and the largest community. Amherst, home to the University of Massachusetts, also generates a large volume of police reports. Each town in Hampshire County runs its own police department and holds its own records. Searching for police records here means knowing which department handles the area where an incident took place. This page covers the main sources for Hampshire County police records and how to get them.

Hampshire County Sheriff's Office

The Hampshire County Sheriff's Office is at 19 Meadow Street in Northampton. Call (413) 584-5911 for general questions. The sheriff handles the county correctional facility and keeps booking records, custody logs, and inmate information.

When local police in Hampshire County arrest someone and that person is held at the county facility, the sheriff's office creates a booking record. This shows the person's name, charges, bail amount, and the date they came in. Booking records are public under Massachusetts law. The sheriff also serves warrants and assists local departments across the county. Write to the sheriff's office to request copies of custody records. Include the name of the person and any details about the arrest date that you have.

The DCJIS CORI page is a statewide resource for checking criminal records that include Hampshire County data.

This state page explains how the CORI system works and how to request your own criminal history.

How to Search Hampshire County Police Records

Go to the department that made the record. Northampton PD handles Northampton. Amherst PD covers the town of Amherst. The UMass Police Department handles incidents on the university campus. Each agency has a records clerk.

Massachusetts public records law, M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10, gives every person the right to access public government records. Police incident reports, arrest logs, and booking data are generally public. Send a written request to the records access officer at the agency that has the file. You do not need to give a reason. The agency has 10 business days to respond. Fees are capped at $0.05 per page under 950 CMR 32.08, and the first two hours of research time cost nothing.

For court records in Hampshire County, use MassCourts. The system covers the Hampshire Superior Court at 15 Gothic Street in Northampton (phone: (413) 584-5810) and the district courts in the area. Search by name or case number to see docket entries, charges, and case status. The system does not show the actual police reports or full court documents.

Hampshire County Local Police

Northampton has the largest police force in Hampshire County. Their department handles all incidents within the city limits. Amherst PD covers the town and works alongside the UMass Police Department, which has jurisdiction on the university campus. These are separate agencies with separate records.

Smaller towns in Hampshire County include Easthampton, South Hadley, Hadley, Belchertown, Ware, Williamsburg, and Granby. Each one has its own police department. When you need a record, contact the department in the town where the incident happened. Some of these smaller departments have limited office hours, so call ahead before visiting in person. The records clerk at each station can tell you what they have and what it costs to get a copy.

Note: UMass Police records are separate from Amherst town records, even though the campus is inside the town limits.

Hampshire County Records Request Tips

Be specific in your request. Give the full name of the person, the date of the incident, and the location. If you have a case number or report number, include it. Good details mean faster results.

If an agency denies your request, you have the right to appeal under M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10A. File a petition with the Supervisor of Records. They will review the denial and issue a written decision within 10 business days. If you still cannot get the record, you can take the case to Superior Court. Courts may award attorney fees if you win. The 2016 public records reform made this appeals process stronger and faster.

Certain records are exempt from public access. Active investigation files, grand jury materials, and some domestic violence records are protected under M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26). The exemption list has 18 categories. When an agency denies a request, they must cite the specific exemption that applies.

Hampshire County Crash Reports

Motor vehicle accident reports from Hampshire County police are available through BuyCrash. Many local departments use this online system. You search by report number, crash date, or name of someone involved. Reports cost a small fee to download.

If the crash involved Massachusetts State Police on a Hampshire County road, you can request the report through the RMV crash report request page. State Police handle some highways and state roads in Hampshire County.

Criminal History Checks for Hampshire County

CORI records cover all of Massachusetts, including Hampshire County. The Department of Criminal Justice Information Services runs the system from Chelsea. You can check your own record online through iCORI for $25. M.G.L. Chapter 6, Sections 167-178 set the rules for who can see criminal history data.

Personal CORI checks show the most detail about your own record. You need a government ID to register. Results are fast for online requests. The DCJIS office at 200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200 in Chelsea handles questions at (617) 660-4600. A CORI check covers the whole state, so Hampshire County cases show up alongside any records from other counties.

Nearby Counties

Hampshire County sits in the middle of western Massachusetts. It borders four other counties.