Cape Coral Police Records Access
Cape Coral is one of the largest cities in Florida by area with over 233,000 residents. Police records for Cape Coral are maintained by the Cape Coral Police Department, which handles law enforcement within city limits. The Lee County Sheriff's Office covers unincorporated areas. You can access incident reports, arrest records, crash reports, and case files through the department's public records process. Florida's open records law makes most police records available to anyone who requests them. You do not need to be a Cape Coral resident or give a reason for your request.
Cape Coral Quick Facts
Cape Coral Police Department Records
The Cape Coral Police Department serves the city and maintains records for all incidents within city limits. CCPD is the primary law enforcement agency for Cape Coral. The department handles patrol, investigations, traffic enforcement, and specialized units across the city's large geographic area.
Police records are available through the department's public records process. You can contact CCPD at (239) 574-3223 to request records. The department website at www.capecoral.gov provides information on police services and city operations.
| Agency | Cape Coral Police Department |
|---|---|
| Records Phone | (239) 574-3223 |
| Website | www.capecoral.gov |
| County | Lee County |
CCPD keeps incident reports, arrest records, case files, and other law enforcement documents. Digital records from recent years are easier to access than older paper files. The records division can help you locate specific reports if you have details like dates, case numbers, or names involved.
Requesting Police Records
Cape Coral accepts public records requests through phone, mail, email, and in-person visits. Each method works for different situations. Phone requests are fastest for basic questions. Written requests work better for complex searches or extensive records.
Call (239) 574-3223 to speak with records staff. Have as much detail ready as you can. Case numbers make searches much easier. If you do not have a case number, provide the date, location, and names of people involved. This helps staff find the right records quickly in Cape Coral.
Your request should be specific. Include the type of record you want, date range, location, and any identifying information like case numbers or names. Vague requests take longer to process. Detailed requests help staff locate exactly what you need faster.
For traffic crash reports, you can order copies online through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Visit www.flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports/ to order crash reports for incidents in Cape Coral. There is a small fee for each report. Most are available within a few business days after the crash.
Available Police Records
Cape Coral Police Department maintains many types of records. Incident reports document crimes, accidents, and calls for service. These reports include case numbers, dates, locations, people involved, and officer narratives. Most incident reports become public once a case is closed or investigation is complete.
Arrest records show when CCPD officers take someone into custody. The records include charges, booking date, arresting officer, bond amount, and other details. Jail booking logs are maintained by the Lee County Sheriff's Office. You can search recent arrests online through the county jail website.
Cape Coral police records typically include:
- Case numbers and report dates
- Type of incident or crime
- Location where it occurred
- Names of involved parties
- Officer information
- Narrative descriptions
- Case outcomes
Some records may be redacted to protect privacy or ongoing investigations. Personal information like social security numbers is removed. Active criminal investigations can be withheld until cases close. Confidential informant information is protected. Juvenile records have additional privacy protections under Florida law.
Note: Body camera footage and video records may take longer due to review requirements.
Record Fees
Fees for police records vary based on the type of record and work required. Simple incident reports may cost just a few dollars. Complex requests that require hours of staff time for searching, copying, and redacting cost more. Always ask about fees when you submit your request in Cape Coral.
Copy fees are typically $0.15 per page for paper copies. Digital copies sent by email may have lower fees. Search time is sometimes billed hourly if your request takes significant staff effort. Video and audio records often have higher fees due to the time needed for review and redaction before release.
Some records are free to view in person but cost money to copy. Records staff can provide a cost estimate before processing your request. Payment is usually required before records are released.
Florida Public Records Law
Florida has strong public records laws. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes governs access to government records including police records. Under Florida Statute § 119.07, every person has the right to inspect and copy public records. You do not need to give a reason for your request.
You do not have to be a Florida resident to request records. Out-of-state residents have the same rights as Florida residents. Agencies must respond to requests promptly. Most respond within a few business days. If records are denied, the agency must cite a specific legal exemption in Cape Coral.
Active criminal intelligence and ongoing investigations can be withheld. Personal identifying information is redacted before release. You can challenge denials in court if an exemption is improperly applied. Florida courts generally favor public access when exemptions are disputed.
Statewide Police Records Resources
Beyond local Cape Coral records, you can access statewide police data through Florida agencies. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains criminal history records for the entire state. FDLE's Public Records Portal at fdle.justfoia.com/publicportal handles requests for state-level documents.
For criminal background checks, contact FDLE at (850) 410-8161. The fee is $24 per check. You submit fingerprints and an application by mail or in person in Tallahassee. Processing takes 5 to 10 business days typically. FDLE compiles arrest and conviction data from all Florida agencies including Cape Coral.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigates crashes on state roads and highways. For FHP records, call (850) 617-2000 or visit www.flhsmv.gov/florida-highway-patrol/contact-fhp/ for contact information. FHP maintains records for crashes, arrests, and traffic enforcement across Florida including the Cape Coral area.
Lee County Police Records
Cape Coral is in Lee County, which has its own sheriff's office serving unincorporated areas and operating the county jail. The Lee County Sheriff's Office maintains records separate from Cape Coral Police Department. For county-wide records, jail information, and sheriff resources, visit the Lee County police records page.