Find Police Records in Kings County

Kings County police records are handled by the New York City Police Department, since Kings County is the borough of Brooklyn. Unlike most New York counties, there is no county sheriff's office handling law enforcement here. The NYPD patrols Brooklyn through multiple precincts, and all police records requests go through the NYPD's centralized system. FOIL requests are filed through the NYC OpenRecords portal. This page covers how to request police records, the court system in Brooklyn, and state-level databases that apply to Kings County.

NYPD Police Records for Kings County

The NYPD is the law enforcement agency for all of Brooklyn. There is no separate Kings County Sheriff's Office handling patrol or criminal investigations. The NYPD operates multiple precincts across Brooklyn, each covering a specific geographic area. All precincts report up to the NYPD Brooklyn Borough Commands. Records from any Brooklyn precinct are handled centrally by the NYPD.

To request police records, you file a FOIL request through the NYC OpenRecords portal. This is the official system for all FOIL requests to New York City agencies, including the NYPD. Create an account, describe the records you need, and the system routes your request to the right unit. You can track the status of your request online and get responses sent back through the portal.

You can also mail FOIL requests to: NYPD Legal Bureau, 1 Police Plaza, Room 1406, New York, NY 10038. However, the online portal is faster and provides a clear paper trail. Include the incident date, location, precinct if known, names of people involved, and the specific type of record you want. Police reports, arrest reports, and accident reports are the most commonly requested items.

Fees follow standard NYC rates of $0.25 per page. The NYPD must respond within five business days under FOIL. Processing times vary based on the type of records. Simple requests may be done in days. Complex requests that involve multiple units or need extensive review can take much longer. The portal will keep you updated on progress.

Brooklyn Criminal Court and Police Records

Brooklyn Criminal Court is at 120 Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201. This court handles misdemeanor and violation cases in Kings County. Felony cases start here and move to the Kings County Supreme Court Criminal Term at 320 Jay Street. Court records often connect directly to police records since they show charges, dispositions, and sentencing tied to arrests made by the NYPD.

The WebCrims system shows pending criminal cases in Brooklyn courts. You can search by defendant name, case number, or attorney. The system displays charges, court dates, and case status. Sealed cases and juvenile matters do not appear. For cases not in WebCrims, contact the specific court clerk.

The eCourts WebCivil Supreme system has civil case data for Kings County Supreme Court. Search by name or index number. The OCA Criminal History Record Search costs $95.00 per name and provides a statewide certified record. It takes about two weeks to process.

State-Level Police Records Resources

The Division of Criminal Justice Services holds official New York criminal history records. These are fingerprint-based records and are not public. You can only request your own rap sheet from DCJS. Private record search firms pull data from public court databases, not DCJS. Contact them at 518-457-9847 or mail the Record Review Unit at 80 South Swan St., 5th Floor, Albany, NY 12210.

New York's Clean Slate Act took effect on November 16, 2024. It 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. Law enforcement keeps full access to all records regardless of sealing status. This may affect what shows up in public court searches for Kings County cases going forward.

The NYPD Criminal Records Section is at 1 Police Plaza, Room 300, New York, NY 10038. Criminal records checks for NYPD arrests can be requested there in person with proper identification. This is separate from the DCJS process and from the FOIL request process.

FOIL and Kings County Police Records

The Freedom of Information Law, found in Article 6 of the NYS Public Officers Law, gives the public the right to access records from any state or local government agency. FOIL applies to the NYPD just as it applies to any sheriff's office upstate. The NYC OpenRecords portal is the easiest way to file requests with the NYPD and other city agencies.

Not all police records can be released. Records tied to active investigations may be withheld. Information that could reveal confidential sources, show non-routine investigative techniques, or endanger someone is exempt. The NYPD will redact sensitive information when possible and release non-exempt portions. Victim names are generally not released. Court convictions are public, but juvenile records and sealed cases stay closed.

If your request is denied, you can appeal through the 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 is denied, you can file a lawsuit within four months. The Committee on Open Government issues advisory opinions on FOIL matters.

Other Police Records Databases for Kings County

The New York Sex Offender Registry lists registered offenders in Kings County. Level 2 and 3 offenders appear on the public site. For Level 1 info, contact your local NYPD precinct. Search by name, address, or county. The toll-free hotline is 1-800-262-3257.

The DOCCS Incarcerated/Parolee Lookup tracks people in state prison or on parole. It does not include those held at Rikers Island or other city jails. For city jail information, use the NYC Department of Correction inmate lookup. The DMV Crash Report Sales Portal has accident reports from police agencies across the state, including NYPD-filed reports. Fees start at $7.00 for the search plus $15.00 per report.

Nearby Counties

Kings County (Brooklyn) is one of the five boroughs of New York City. The NYPD covers all five boroughs. If an incident crossed borough lines, the same agency holds the records. These neighboring counties are also served by the NYPD or are directly adjacent.

Brooklyn and New York City

Kings County is coextensive with Brooklyn, one of the five boroughs of New York City. All police services are provided by the NYPD. For a broader look at police records across all five boroughs, see the New York City page.