Find Boca Raton Police Records
Boca Raton police records come from the Boca Raton Police Department. This city in southern Palm Beach County has around 100,000 residents. The police department handles all law enforcement services and generates incident reports, arrest records, crash reports, and other documents for Boca Raton. People who need police records from Boca Raton submit requests to the department's records unit.
Boca Raton Quick Facts
Boca Raton Police Department
Boca Raton has its own police department that serves the city. The department headquarters is at 100 NW Boca Raton Blvd. Officers run patrol, investigations, traffic enforcement, and community policing programs. They write incident reports and handle all law enforcement records for Boca Raton.
The records unit at Boca Raton PD processes public records requests. You can request incident reports, crash reports, arrest records, and other documents that the department generates. Florida's public records law under Chapter 119 requires agencies to provide access to most police records unless an exemption applies.
Some records stay confidential. Active investigations remain sealed while detectives work the case. Juvenile arrest records have privacy protections. Victims of certain crimes have the right to keep personal information out of public reports. Boca Raton PD staff review each request and release what they can under Florida law.
How to Request Police Records
To get police records from Boca Raton, contact the records unit at the police department. You can submit requests in person at the station, by mail, or by following the department's online procedures if available. Include details like the incident date, location, names of people involved, and the report number if you have it.
Most incident reports are ready within a few days. Complex requests or older records may take longer. The department will contact you if they need more information or if there is a fee to pay. Processing times depend on the volume of requests and the complexity of what you asked for.
Florida law under Florida Statutes § 119.07 requires agencies to respond to public records requests promptly. If your request is denied or delayed, the agency must explain why. You have the right to challenge denials in court if you believe the records should be public.
For traffic crash reports from Boca Raton, you may also use the statewide portal at flhsmv.gov to purchase copies online. Crash reports are available through that system for $10 per report. You need the crash date, county, and driver name to search. This is often faster than requesting directly from the police department.
Police Records in Boca Raton
Police records from Boca Raton include incident reports, arrest records, crash reports, and other law enforcement documents. Each type has different uses and availability.
Incident reports cover crimes like theft, assault, burglary, vandalism, and fraud. These reports contain the date, location, victim and suspect information, and a narrative of what happened. People use incident reports for insurance claims, court cases, and personal records. Most are public once the initial investigation is complete.
Arrest records show when someone was taken into custody by Boca Raton police. These records include the charges, arrest date, and booking information. Arrest records are public unless sealed by court order. Booking photos and fingerprints from the Palm Beach County jail are separate but related. If the arrest led to charges, the court records will be at the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court.
Traffic crash reports document accidents in Boca Raton. Officers investigate crashes and write reports that include driver information, vehicle details, and diagrams of the scene. Insurance companies often request crash reports after accidents. You can get these from Boca Raton PD or through the state portal mentioned above.
Crime statistics and calls for service data are also public records. These show trends and activity levels across different parts of Boca Raton. Researchers and journalists request this data to analyze public safety patterns. The police department may provide this in reports or raw data files depending on what you ask for.
Note: Most routine incident reports in Boca Raton are released within 3 to 5 business days of the request.
Records Request Fees
Fees for police records in Boca Raton depend on what you request. Simple requests like a single incident report may have a small copying fee or no charge at all. Larger requests with many pages or extensive research time can cost more.
Florida law limits what agencies can charge for public records. Standard copying costs are 15 cents per page under Florida Statutes § 119.07. Certified copies cost extra. If staff spend significant time searching for records or redacting exempt information, the department may charge for that labor at the rate set by law.
Ask about fees when you make your request. Boca Raton PD can give you a cost estimate before processing. Most people pay less than $20 for a single incident report. Crash reports through the state portal cost $10. Background checks from FDLE have their own fee schedule separate from local police records.
Background Checks and Criminal History
If you need a full criminal background check that includes arrests from Boca Raton and other places in Florida, go to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. FDLE maintains the statewide criminal history database. They process requests for personal background checks and employer screenings.
You can request your own Florida criminal history through FDLE's website or by mail. The fee is $24 for a state check. National checks through the FBI cost more. FDLE's contact page at fdle.state.fl.us has forms and instructions. You can also call the Criminal History Records Unit at (850) 410-8161 for help.
Background checks pull arrest records from across Florida, including any charges that happened in Boca Raton. Processing time is usually two weeks for personal requests. Third-party requests for employment or licensing may take longer depending on the type of check and current volume.
For a specific incident report from Boca Raton, contact the police department. For a complete criminal history search, use FDLE. Most people request police reports for single incidents and background checks for complete records.
State and County Resources
In addition to local police records from Boca Raton, several state agencies maintain records that may be useful. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement offers a public records portal at fdle.justfoia.com where you can submit requests for state-level law enforcement records. FDLE does not have local police reports, but they do provide statewide data and criminal justice records.
Florida Highway Patrol responds to crashes on state highways that pass through Boca Raton. If your crash involved FHP, you can request the report through the state portal or by contacting FHP directly. The FHP contact page is at flhsmv.gov.
Palm Beach County also maintains records that may relate to incidents in Boca Raton. The county jail holds arrest records for people booked by Boca Raton PD and other local agencies. The Clerk of Court has court case records if charges were filed. For county-level resources, see the Palm Beach County police records page.
Palm Beach County Police Records
Boca Raton is in Palm Beach County. The county has its own sheriff's office that serves unincorporated areas, plus countywide resources like the jail and courts. For information on county records, other local agencies, and related services, visit the Palm Beach County police records page.