How to get a copy of a police report

[CurlyLindsay]

(Yes, it is horse related)

I have requested 3 different times that the Kentucky Horse Park police forward me a copy of the police report from my trailer being stolen from the park, each time they agree, and I confirm they have my correct information, and then it never shows up.

I've been really nice, but I am getting really frustrated. I need it to do my taxes. I'm kind of at wits end!? What to do?

(Yes, KHP has their own real police force.... for what it's worth...)

[LisaB]

Then speak with a supervisor at the Sheriff's office. You are supposed to have a copy of the police report. Take it up the chain.

[threedogpack]

do you have your incident or case number and the name of the investigating officer?

[BramblewoodAcres]

I second going up the chain of command. You did get the name/badge number of the responding officer, right? They can usually dig up the police reports easier if you have the name of the officer who took the report.

Police reports are public information and available to anyone who asks for them. Sometimes they charge for copies, but if it's YOUR police report, then you should have gotten a copy immediately. Raise a stink because someone isn't doing his/her job.

[CurlyLindsay]

do you have your incident or case number and the name of the investigating officer?

I do have both.

[cloudyandcallie]

The initial police reports are public records which must be filed within a few days of the incident and can be purchased for $4 or more.

The "investigative reports" can be withheld during the "investigation" of the case, and some police agencies do this for years.

And sometimes they do not make a report, and then don't tell you cause they know you will raise cane. But since you have your information, I'd suggest asking someone who works for a tv station or newspaper to get the report for you. Sometimes newspapers and tv stations must sue to get this public information, which you are legally entitled to, whether or not you are a party. Lawyers make money off of this, when you should be able to purchase the report without any problem. Lawyers in Atlanta used to buy accident reports so they could call the parties and solicit business.

Put a hard copy letter, type it out on computer, save a copy for your files, and hand deliver it to the police, stating the report # and date of incident, and offer payment of the going rate (call and ask the amt a report sells for, and get the name of the person who told you that), tender the amount of money for the report in cash, some won't take a personal check.
If they then refuse to give you the report, you'll have to use the news media or pay a lawyer to get it for you.

Oh and tell your insurance company! I always get my own reports and send copies to the ins. co, but if you cannot get it, they can. And they have lawyers on retainer to get reports if the police won't give them to them.

[Guin]

Are you near enough to go there? I'd just go and stand in their office and make a nuisance of myself until they handed over the report. It is public information; ANYONE is entitled to a copy (that's how reporters get news stories half the time.) If you're not close enough, then get on the phone and keep harassing them daily until they send you one. They're required by law to give you a copy if you are the party involved. Sounds like you're talking to the wrong person in the office.

PS I see you're in Missouri; ignore my advice to go stand there. Another thought: get your insurance company to call them. Insurance companies are MEAN!!! They will be very good at demanding documents - they do it all the time.

[TheJenners]

Give the case number to your insurance company.

To be honest, I don't see why you haven't gotten the information.

[pintopiaffe]

Ask for the CO, OD or Duty Officer. (CO=commanding ofc, OD=Officer of the Day who is the 'in charge guy of the day)

Failing that, ask for the Chief. Be polite, but firm and insist on speaking with someone with stripes.

Your insc co should pay any fees if there are any. The officer might be telling you "oh, fine, I'll send it to you" and it might be sitting on the Secretary's desk because SHE is required to get a fee for it. Still, you've asked enough.

I'll rattle a cage if you want me to. :D

[TheJenners]

This is a police department, not the military. She would be better off asking for a Sergeant or the Patrol Lt.

[cloudyandcallie]

This is a police department, not the military. She would be better off asking for a Sergeant or the Patrol Lt.

right. and the Sgt will be around somewhere, for every watch. So try a different watch, morning, day and evening watches.

[threedogpack]

I work in law enforcment.

CloudyandCallie wrote:And sometimes they do not make a report, and then don't tell you cause they know you will raise cane. But since you have your information, I'd suggest asking someone who works for a tv station or newspaper to get the report for you. Sometimes newspapers and tv stations must sue to get this public information, which you are legally entitled to, whether or not you are a party. Lawyers make money off of this, when you should be able to purchase the report without any problem. Lawyers in Atlanta used to buy accident reports so they could call the parties and solicit business.

************************************************** **

this is a criminal incident that may still be under investigation and they may not be able to release the report to the victim. The regulations that govern each police agency vary and we do not give out criminal reports to anyone without a subpoena to the head of our state agency.

CandC said that they don't even do a report. If a number was generated, there is a report somewhere. And if there was an officer assigned, there is a report somewhere.

As for getting news media involved, don't go that route. In our agency, the media has a rep for being a PITA, and they don't get anything except the public news report. Nothing. If you want to get a name for yourself and have it work against you, this is a fine way to do it.

My best suggestion is to speak first (and politely) to the investigating officer himself. If you have tried that, and you KNOW you are entitled to a copy of the report, but get nowhere, ask politely to speak to the supervisor on duty. The title is not pertinent, it could be a Corporal or a Lt. or a Chief or any other title. Explain that you would like a copy of his report, how to get it (you may have to pay for it, or you may only be able to view it, not copy it, or you may have to order it from a central repository somewhere), and then do exactly what he says.

Honestly, folks, we generally don't care who gets a copy of an authorized report, but being belligerent will get you nowhere and not all files are open to everyone. This isn't a conspiracy theory thing, it's a liability thing and the regs for that agency are what every agency must adhere to.

[pintopiaffe]

Um, every dept I work for and with (only 11, so a small sample, granted... ) has an OD, CO or Duty Officer. Every shift, every day. 24/7 365.

that may or may not be a Sgt. Could be the Chief, could be a Capt or Lt, or could be a Corporal. Is *always* someone who must follow up and find out wtf is going on...

[threedogpack]

lucky you. We don't always have a super on, but even if the person the OP speaks to is a civilian, s/he should at least take a # to have a supervisor call back when there is one on duty.

Like I said before not every individual is always entitled to every report.

[threedogpack]

here is the contact information and names.



On-Duty Officer 859-509-1450
Office 859-259-4250
Captain George Atwood, Department Head
Sergeant Dan Haun, Equine Training/Patrol Supervisor
Sergeant Bob Cain, Patrol Supervisor
E-mail police@kyhorsepark.com

[threedogpack]

"I need it to do my taxes. "

check, but very often insurance companies, and taxing bodies don't need the report itself, all they need is date of loss, location, investigating agency name and incident number. You have all of that.

[LoriO]

Who are you talking to about getting a copy of the report from, the original officer that took the report? I know for the department I work for ( and most others I have worked for) , you need to go through the records department to get a copy of the report not the officer. Check and see if they have a records department and direct your inquiry through there for a copy of the report.

If you are still having troubles with getting a copy from them, check with your insurance company, if you put in a claim for the trailer with them then chances are that they would have obtained a copy of the report for their records.

[TheJenners]

I'm also in LE, and if someone asked me for a duty officer, I'd understand he or she probably wants the Sgt...it would give me pause. And if I heard CO, I'd be really :confused:. But I'm in LE in a Navy town, and COs, duty officers, etc are strictly military-speak here.

And my Sgt would refer you right to the records department.

[threedogpack]

Every LEA is different. I am the records dept as well as intake.

But in any case, if this is just for tax purposes.....I'd give the report #, date of loss and investigating agency then if the IRS or other taxing body wants more information let THEM struggle for it.

[itsnotme2]

You don't need to send the police report with your taxes. In fact, the IRS doesn't even want it unless they pull you for an audit. I assume you are filing a Casualty/Theft form? You don't need it for that. Just the date and other information.

If your tax person is telling you they need it - they don't really. They just probably want to see it - but it is NOT required. Unless this is some weird state thing??

[CurlyLindsay]

You don't need to send the police report with your taxes. In fact, the IRS doesn't even want it unless they pull you for an audit. I assume you are filing a Casualty/Theft form? You don't need it for that. Just the date and other information.

If your tax person is telling you they need it - they don't really. They just probably want to see it - but it is NOT required. Unless this is some weird state thing??

Oh! That's good news. I just assumed I would need to have it on file in order to claim the loss. But if I were to get audited it would always be on file somewhere, right?