Rochester Police Records

Rochester police records are maintained by the Rochester Police Department, a major upstate New York law enforcement agency. The department is at 185 Exchange Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14614, and the non-emergency number is 585-428-7033. Rochester sits in Monroe County, where the county sheriff keeps a separate set of records. To get police records from Rochester, file a FOIL request with the city or visit the police records bureau in person.

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How to Get Rochester Police Records

The Rochester Police Department is at 185 Exchange Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14614. The non-emergency line is 585-428-7033. For emergencies, call 911. The department has sections and precincts spread across the city that handle different areas.

To request records, file a written FOIL request with the city clerk or the police records bureau. Include dates, names, locations, and any case or report numbers. The city must respond within five business days. If they need more time, they will send a written notice explaining the delay.

You can also visit the police station during business hours. Walk-in requests are accepted, but writing it down first helps create a record. This is especially useful if you need to appeal a denial later on.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office at 130 S Plymouth Avenue, Rochester, NY 14614 (phone: 585-753-4178) handles records for areas outside city limits. If your incident involved the sheriff's department, send your request there instead.

Types of Police Records Available

Incident reports are the most common type of police record in Rochester. These document crimes reported, calls for service, and other events police respond to. Each report includes a case number, date, location, and a summary of what took place. Arrest records show who was detained and the charges.

Accident reports cover motor vehicle crashes investigated by local police. If the crash happened on a state road, the New York State Police may have the report instead. You can order accident reports from any agency through the DMV Crash Report Sales Portal after 14 to 30 days.

Other types of records include patrol logs, dispatch records, and investigation files. Not all of these are available to the public. Files tied to active investigations are exempt from release under FOIL. Records that could identify a confidential source or put someone at risk can also be withheld.

Your Right to Records Under FOIL

New York's Freedom of Information Law gives the public the right to see records held by state and local government agencies. The law is found in Public Officers Law Sections 84 through 90. It has been in effect since 1974 and applies to every police department, sheriff, and state agency in New York.

When you submit a FOIL request, the agency has five business days to respond. They can grant access, deny it with written reasons, or send a note that they need more time. If your request is denied, you have 30 days to appeal. The appeal goes to a designated officer who has ten business days to decide.

If the appeal is also denied, you can file a lawsuit within four months. The Committee on Open Government is a state body that gives guidance on FOIL issues. They issue advisory opinions and can help resolve disputes between requesters and agencies. Contacting them is a useful step if you have trouble getting records.

Fees for Rochester Police Records

The standard copy fee for police records in New York is $0.25 per page for copies up to 9 by 14 inches. This is set by state law under Public Officers Law Section 87. If a request takes more than two hours of staff time, the agency may charge the hourly wage of the lowest-paid employee who can handle the work.

Inspecting records in person is free. You only pay when you want copies made. Digital records may have reduced or no copy fees depending on format. Certified copies cost extra. Always confirm the current fees and accepted payment methods before sending money.

Statewide Police Records Resources

The Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) maintains official New York criminal history records. These are fingerprint-based and not public. You can only get your own rap sheet by submitting prints to DCJS. The Record Review Unit is at 518-457-9847.

The New York Sex Offender Registry is free to search online. Level 2 and 3 offenders appear on the public site. For Level 1 offender details, call local police or the toll-free line at 1-800-262-3257.

The DOCCS Incarcerated/Parolee Lookup shows people in state prison or on parole. It does not include county jail inmates or federal prisoners. For county jail data, contact the local sheriff. The database updates daily.

Court Records in Monroe County

Pending criminal cases in Monroe County can be checked through WebCrims. This free database shows charges, court dates, and case status. Sealed and juvenile cases do not appear. Some smaller courts may not have all their data in the system yet.

Supreme Court civil cases are searchable on eCourts WebCivil Supreme. You can search by party name, index number, or attorney. The system covers all 62 counties and updates daily.

The OCA Criminal History Record Search is a name-based statewide search that costs $95.00 per name. It matches exact name and date of birth. Processing takes about two weeks. Even if no records are found, the fee still applies. For questions, contact the Office of Court Administration.