Find Police Records in Bronx County

Bronx County police records are maintained by the New York City Police Department, which is the sole police agency for all five boroughs of New York City. The Bronx is served by multiple NYPD precincts, each generating its own incident reports, arrest records, and investigation files. All FOIL requests for Bronx police records go through the NYC OpenRecords portal or the NYPD Legal Bureau. The Bronx Criminal Court and Bronx County Supreme Court handle criminal case records separately. This page covers how to search and request police records from agencies that serve Bronx County.

NYPD Police Records for the Bronx

The NYPD is the only police department serving Bronx County. Unlike most New York counties that have a sheriff's office handling law enforcement, the Bronx relies entirely on the NYPD for patrol, investigations, and all police functions. Several precincts cover the Bronx, including the 40th, 41st, 42nd, 43rd, 44th, 45th, 46th, 47th, 48th, 49th, 50th, and 52nd Precincts. Each generates police records for incidents in its area.

All FOIL requests for NYPD records must be submitted through the NYC OpenRecords portal. This is the official system for all New York City agencies. You can create an account, submit requests, track status, and get responses online. The portal includes a database of past requests so you can see if the same information was already released. You can also mail requests to NYPD Legal Bureau, 1 Police Plaza, Room 1406, New York, NY 10038.

When requesting Bronx police records, provide as much detail as you can. Include the incident date, location, precinct number if known, names of people involved, and the type of record you want. The NYPD must respond within five business days under Public Officers Law Section 89. Simple requests may be filled in that time. Complex requests that touch multiple units or need a lot of review can take much longer. Fees follow the standard NYC rate of $0.25 per page. Certification fees may also apply.

Bronx County Criminal Records Access

The NYPD Criminal Records Section at 1 Police Plaza, Room 300, New York, NY 10038 handles criminal records checks for NYPD arrests. You must go in person with proper identification. This is separate from the DCJS criminal history system. NYPD criminal records only cover arrests made by the NYPD, not records from other agencies across the state.

For official New York State criminal history records, the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is the only source. You must submit fingerprints to get your own record. DCJS records are not public and cannot be obtained through FOIL. Contact the Record Review Unit at 518-457-9847 for the process. New York's Clean Slate Act, which took effect November 16, 2024, directs the Office of Court Administration to automatically seal certain old conviction records over the next three years. Convictions for sex crimes and non-drug Class A felonies like murder will not be sealed.

The OCA Criminal History Record Search is a name-based statewide search that costs $95.00 per name. It produces a certified record of all cases where a defendant appeared in court. If no records are found, you still pay the fee. Processing takes about two weeks. The search only matches the exact name and date of birth you provide.

Bronx Court Records

Bronx Criminal Court handles misdemeanor cases and the early stages of felony cases. The Bronx County Supreme Court Criminal Term handles felony trials and sentencing. Both courts maintain their own records through the court clerk's office. Pending criminal cases in the Bronx can be searched through the WebCrims system, which covers most New York State courts.

WebCrims lets you search by defendant name, case number, or attorney. It shows charges, court dates, and case status. Sealed cases and juvenile matters do not appear. For cases not in WebCrims, contact the specific court clerk. Civil cases in Bronx County Supreme Court can be searched through eCourts WebCivil Supreme. The Bronx County Clerk maintains official court records and can be reached for certified copies of court documents.

Grand jury proceedings in Bronx County are secret by law. Records of grand jury presentations are not available to the public. Indictments that come out of the grand jury become public once they are filed with the court. For historical case records not yet in the electronic system, visit the court clerk's office in person.

Other Police Records Resources for Bronx County

The New York Sex Offender Registry lists offenders in the Bronx who must register under Correction Law Article 6-C. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders appear on the public website. You can search by name, address, or county. For Level 1 offender details, contact the local NYPD precinct. The registry provides photos, addresses, offense details, and risk levels. The toll-free line at 1-800-262-3257 gives information about Level 2 and 3 offenders around the clock.

The DOCCS Incarcerated/Parolee Lookup shows people in state prison or on parole. It updates daily and includes name, date of birth, custody status, and facility location. It does not cover people in city or county jails, those on probation, or federal inmates. For Rikers Island or other NYC jail information, contact the NYC Department of Correction.

Motor vehicle accident reports from incidents in the Bronx can be requested through the DMV Crash Report Sales Portal. Reports are available 14 to 30 days after an electronically filed accident. The fee is $7.00 for the search plus $15.00 per report when ordered online. You need a NY.gov ID to access the portal.

FOIL Exemptions for Bronx Police Records

Not all NYPD records can be released. Under Public Officers Law Section 87(2), records that would interfere with an active law enforcement investigation or judicial proceeding may be withheld. The same applies to records that could deprive someone of a fair trial, reveal a confidential source, show non-routine investigative techniques, or endanger someone's safety. The NYPD will redact protected information while releasing the rest of the document when possible.

If your request is denied, you can appeal through the NYC OpenRecords portal or by writing to the NYPD FOIL Appeals Officer. Appeals must be filed within 30 days. The appeals officer has ten business days to respond. If the appeal also fails, you can file a lawsuit within four months. The Committee on Open Government can also provide guidance on FOIL disputes.

Cities in Bronx County

Bronx County is one of the five boroughs of New York City. The entire borough is within the City of New York and is served exclusively by the NYPD. There are no separate municipal police departments in the Bronx.

Nearby Counties

Bronx County borders Westchester County to the north and is connected to the other New York City boroughs. If an incident occurred near a county line, a different agency may have responded.