Hialeah Police Records Lookup
Hialeah is the seventh largest city in Florida with over 235,000 residents. Police records for Hialeah are maintained by the Hialeah Police Department, which handles law enforcement within city limits. The Miami-Dade Police Department covers unincorporated areas of the county. 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 the public. Anyone can submit a records request regardless of residency status or reason for needing the information.
Hialeah Quick Facts
Hialeah Police Department
The Hialeah Police Department serves the city and maintains records for all incidents within city limits. HPD is one of the largest municipal police agencies in Miami-Dade County. The department handles patrol, investigations, traffic enforcement, and specialized units throughout Hialeah.
Police records are available through the department's public records process. You can contact HPD at (305) 883-6900 to request records. The department website at www.hialeahfl.gov provides information on the police department and city services.
| Agency | Hialeah Police Department |
|---|---|
| Records Phone | (305) 883-6900 |
| Website | www.hialeahfl.gov |
| County | Miami-Dade County |
HPD 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 in Hialeah.
How to Request Records in Hialeah
Hialeah accepts public records requests through phone, mail, email, and in-person visits. Each method works for different situations. Phone requests are fastest for simple questions. Written requests work better for complex searches or extensive records.
Call (305) 883-6900 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.
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 in Hialeah.
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 Hialeah. There is a small fee for each report. Most are available within a few business days.
Police Records Available in Hialeah
Hialeah Police Department maintains several 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 the case is closed or investigation is complete.
Arrest records show when HPD 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 Miami-Dade Corrections Department. You can search recent arrests online through the county jail website.
Hialeah police records typically contain:
- Case numbers and report dates
- Type of incident or offense
- Location where it occurred
- Names of involved parties
- Officer names and badge numbers
- Narrative descriptions of events
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 under Florida law.
Note: Video and audio records may require additional processing time for review and redaction.
Record Fees in Hialeah
Fees for police records depend 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 and redacting cost more. Always ask about fees when you submit your request in Hialeah.
Copy fees are typically $0.15 per page for paper copies. Digital copies sent by email may have lower costs. Search time is sometimes billed hourly if your request takes significant staff effort. Video footage and audio recordings often have higher fees because of the time needed for review 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's public records law is one of the strongest in the nation. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes governs access to government 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. Anyone can request police records from Hialeah or any other Florida agency. The agency must respond promptly to your request. Most agencies respond within a few business days.
If a record is denied, the agency must cite a specific legal exemption. Active criminal intelligence and ongoing investigations can be withheld. Personal identifying information is redacted. You can challenge denials in court if needed in Hialeah.
Statewide Police Records Access
Beyond local Hialeah 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 background check. You submit fingerprints and a completed application by mail or in person at FDLE headquarters in Tallahassee. Processing typically takes 5 to 10 business days. FDLE compiles arrest and conviction data from all Florida agencies including Hialeah.
The Florida Highway Patrol handles crashes on state highways. For FHP records, call (850) 617-2000 or visit www.flhsmv.gov/florida-highway-patrol/contact-fhp/ for contact information. Most FHP crash reports can be ordered online through the state website.
Miami-Dade County Police Records
Hialeah is in Miami-Dade County, which has its own police department serving unincorporated areas. The Miami-Dade Police Department is separate from Hialeah Police Department. Each handles records for their jurisdiction. For county-wide records and sheriff information, visit the Miami-Dade County police records page.