Broome County Police Records Search

Broome County police records are maintained by the Broome County Sheriff's Office, the Binghamton Police Department, and other municipal agencies in the county. The sheriff's records division at 155 Lt. VanWinkle Drive in Binghamton is the central office for county law enforcement records. Accident reports from the sheriff's office are also available through the CrashDocs online portal. The Broome County Clerk at 60 Hawley Street keeps court records tied to criminal cases. This page details how to get police records from each agency in Broome County.

Broome County Sheriff's Office Records Division

The Broome County Sheriff's Office Records Division handles all public records requests for the sheriff. The division is at 155 Lt. VanWinkle Drive, Binghamton, NY 13905. The main phone number is 607-778-1911, and the Records Division can be reached directly at 607-778-2166. Staff process FOIL requests, provide accident reports, and manage other law enforcement files.

For accident reports from incidents the sheriff investigated, the fastest option is to use the CrashDocs online portal. This site lets you search for and download accident reports right away for a fee. You do not need to visit the office or wait for mail delivery. For all other types of police records, submit a written FOIL request to the Records Division at the address above. Include the date, location, names of people involved, and the type of incident. Be as specific as you can.

The sheriff must respond within five business days as required by Public Officers Law Section 89. Complex requests that involve a large number of documents may take longer, but the office must notify you in writing with a time estimate. Fees are $0.25 per page for standard copies. Certified copies may cost more. Payment can be made by cash, check, or money order.

The Sheriff's Jail Division keeps inmate records and booking information at the same address. For jail records, contact the Jail Division directly. Appeals of denied FOIL requests go to the Broome County Attorney's Office within 30 days. Include your original request and the denial letter with your appeal.

Broome County Clerk's Office Court Records

The Broome County Clerk's Office is at 60 Hawley Street, 2nd Floor, Binghamton, NY 13901. The phone number is 607-778-2451. The clerk maintains Supreme Court and County Court records. Criminal court files can be viewed in person during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM. Some records may be sealed or restricted by court order.

The office provides online access to records through the SearchIQS system. Land records and some court documents can be searched remotely. Subscription or per-search fees may apply. The clerk also accepts FOIL requests in writing for records maintained by the office. The clerk serves as Clerk of the Supreme Court and County Court, so all court filings for these courts pass through this office. Court files are open for public inspection unless a judge has sealed them.

Pending criminal cases in Broome County can be searched on WebCrims. Civil cases appear in eCourts WebCivil Supreme. Not all cases show up in these online systems, especially older files. For those, go to the clerk's office.

Binghamton Police Department Records

The Binghamton Police Department is at 38 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY 13901. The non-emergency number is 607-772-7111. This is the largest municipal police force in Broome County. The Records Division handles all FOIL requests for police reports. Submit requests in writing to the Records Access Officer at the department address.

Include specific information when requesting records: dates, times, locations, and names. Case numbers help speed things up if you have them. The department responds within five business days under state law. Fees are $0.25 per page. Payment can be made by cash, check, or money order at the Records Division. Binghamton PD coordinates with the county sheriff and the State Police on cases that cross jurisdictions.

Statewide Resources for Broome County Police Records

The New York State Police investigate incidents on state highways and in areas without local coverage in Broome County. Their Central Record Bureau in Albany handles all records requests. The fee is $15.00 per incident report under Public Officers Law Section 66-a, plus $0.25 per page for extra copies. You can submit requests through their GovQA online form or by mail.

The Sex Offender Registry lists offenders in Broome County who must register under Correction Law Article 6-C. Level 2 and 3 offenders appear on the public site. The DOCCS Incarcerated/Parolee Lookup tracks people in state prison or on parole. The DMV Crash Report Sales Portal offers accident reports from all police agencies statewide for $7.00 search fee plus $15.00 per report online.

The Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) keeps official state criminal history records, but these are not public. You must submit fingerprints to access your own record. Contact the Record Review Unit at 518-457-9847 for instructions.

FOIL Exemptions and Appeals for Broome County Police Records

Not all police records in Broome County can be released. Under Public Officers Law Section 87(2), agencies can withhold records that would interfere with a law enforcement investigation or judicial proceeding. Records that could deprive someone of a fair trial, reveal a confidential source, expose non-routine investigative techniques, or endanger someone's safety are also exempt. When an agency denies a request, it must explain which exemption applies in writing. The agency is still required to release any parts of a record that are not exempt, typically by redacting protected information.

If your FOIL request is denied by the sheriff or Binghamton PD, you have 30 days to file a written appeal. For sheriff records, send the appeal to the Broome County Attorney's Office. Include a copy of your original request and the denial letter. The appeals officer has ten business days to respond. If the appeal also fails, you can file a lawsuit in court within four months. The Committee on Open Government at the state level also issues advisory opinions on FOIL disputes and can help mediate between requesters and agencies.

Cities and Towns in Broome County

Broome County includes the City of Binghamton and several towns. The Town of Union contracts with the Broome County Sheriff for police services. Other municipalities may have their own departments or rely on the sheriff and State Police. For police records from a specific town, contact that municipality's clerk or the responding agency.

Nearby Counties

Broome County is in the Southern Tier region of New York, near the Pennsylvania border. Neighboring counties may have handled incidents near county lines.