Search Suffolk County Police Records
Suffolk County police records are some of the most requested in Massachusetts. This is the most densely populated county in the state, and it includes Boston, Revere, Chelsea, and Winthrop. Boston alone accounts for the vast majority of police activity in the county. Whether you need an incident report, arrest record, or court filing, there are several ways to search and get copies. Most requests go through the Boston Police Department, the Suffolk County DA, or the state court system. This page covers all the main options for finding Suffolk County police records.
Suffolk County Overview
Suffolk County Sheriff and DA
The Suffolk County Sheriff's Department is at 20 Bradston Street in Boston. Call (617) 635-1000 for general inquiries. They maintain arrest and incarceration records for people held at the county facility. The sheriff's office handles booking logs and jail records, but most police reports in Suffolk County come from local departments.
The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office processes public records requests related to criminal prosecutions. They are located at 1 Bulfinch Place in Boston. Their phone number is (617) 619-4000. You can email records requests to SCDAOPRR@state.ma.us. The DA's office reviews each request and determines what can be released. Some materials are exempt, including grand jury records, ongoing investigation files, and certain witness information.
Note: The DA's office may take the full 10 business days allowed by law, especially for complex requests.
Finding Suffolk County Police Reports Online
You can search Suffolk County police records through several online tools. The MassCourts portal provides free access to criminal case data. Search by name or case number to find charges, court dates, and case status. It covers all courts in Suffolk County, from district to superior. The system is updated regularly and shows both open and closed cases.
For a broader search, BuyCrash handles motor vehicle accident reports. Pick the responding department, enter the crash date and a name or plate number, and you can buy a copy for about $25. Most reports show up within 5 to 10 business days after the crash.
The DCJIS runs the statewide CORI system. A personal criminal history check costs $25 through the iCORI portal. This covers convictions, pending cases, and warrants across the state, not just Suffolk County.
Boston Police Department Records
Boston PD handles the bulk of police records in Suffolk County. Their headquarters is at One Schroeder Plaza in Roxbury Crossing. Call (617) 343-4500 for general info. For records requests, email policereport@pd.boston.gov. The City of Boston public records page has details on how to submit a formal request.
Boston PD keeps incident reports, arrest records, crash reports, and call logs. Under M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10, they must respond within 10 business days. You need to describe the records clearly. Include the date of the incident, the location, and any names or report numbers. The more detail you give, the faster they can find what you need. Fees follow state rules under 950 CMR 32.08. Page copies are $0.05 each, and the first two hours of staff time are free.
The Suffolk County DA's public records page provides instructions for submitting records requests tied to criminal cases prosecuted by their office.
Use this page to find the correct email address and learn about exemptions that may apply to your request.
Suffolk County Police Records and State Law
Massachusetts gives broad access to public records. M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26) defines what counts as a public record and lists 18 exemptions. For police records, exemption (f) is the one that comes up most. It protects investigatory materials that could harm an active case. Once a case closes, those records often become available.
The CORI law under M.G.L. Chapter 6, Sections 167-178 governs criminal history information. Not all police records fall under CORI rules. The state Supreme Judicial Court ruled in 2020 that booking photos and basic incident reports are not automatically CORI-protected. This means many police records can be obtained through a standard public records request even when CORI access is restricted.
If an agency denies your request, file an appeal with the Supervisor of Records under M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10A. They issue a decision within 10 business days. You can also take the matter to Superior Court if needed.
Suffolk County Court Records Access
Suffolk County Superior Court is at 3 Pemberton Square in Boston. The criminal division can be reached at (617) 788-8160. Civil cases go through (617) 788-8175. You can view case files in person at public terminals in the courthouse. No fee to look. Copies cost $0.50 per page from the clerk's office.
Court records show the full arc of a case. From the initial charges through hearings, motions, pleas, and sentencing. They are public unless a judge has sealed or impounded the file. Docket entries give a timeline of every filing and court event. If you need the actual documents, not just the docket summary, you have to go to the courthouse or send a written request to the clerk.
The City of Boston public records portal is the starting point for requesting records from any Boston city department, including the police.
This portal covers all city departments and provides forms and contact information for making a public records request in Boston.
Getting Suffolk County Arrest Records
Arrest records in Suffolk County come from the arresting agency. That is usually Boston PD, but it could also be Revere PD, Chelsea PD, the Transit Police, or the State Police. Each keeps their own records. The sheriff holds booking records from the county jail. To find the right source, figure out which department made the arrest.
You can also search court records. Anyone who was arraigned will have a case on file in the court system. Use MassCourts to look it up by name. The docket will show charges, bail decisions, and case outcomes. For records from the Massachusetts State Police, you need to submit a request through their public records unit.
Daily police logs are public records. Many departments in Suffolk County post them online with a 24 to 48 hour delay. These logs show calls for service, incident types, and locations. They don't include full reports, but they tell you what happened and when.
Note: 911 call recordings can be requested through the State 911 Department for wireless calls, or from the local department for landline calls.
Cities in Suffolk County
Suffolk County is one of the smallest in the state by area but one of the most populated. These cities have their own pages on this site.
Nearby Counties
Police records from these adjacent counties can be found on their pages.