Broward County Law Enforcement Records
Broward County police records are managed by the Broward Sheriff's Office and numerous city police departments. This populous county has nearly 2 million residents across Fort Lauderdale and surrounding cities. The county seat is Fort Lauderdale. Law enforcement agencies maintain extensive records including incident reports, arrest logs, traffic crash reports, and investigative files. Public access follows Florida's public records law. You can request records from the sheriff's office or individual city police departments. Each municipality handles its own law enforcement documentation in Broward County.
Broward County Quick Facts
Broward Sheriff's Office
The Broward Sheriff's Office is one of the largest law enforcement agencies in Florida. BSO provides police services to unincorporated areas and contracts with many cities. Deputies handle arrests, investigations, and emergency response across most of Broward County. The sheriff also runs the county jail and courthouse security. All police records for BSO-served areas are maintained by this office in Broward County.
The Broward Sheriff's Office website provides information about agency services and operations.
This site serves as the main resource for law enforcement services across most of Broward County.
To request police records from the Broward Sheriff's Office, submit a written request by mail or in person. Include details about the incident such as date, location, and people involved. The agency reviews the request and provides records that are not exempt under Florida law. Processing time varies based on the complexity of the request in Broward County.
| Agency | Broward Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Main Office | 2601 West Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 |
| Phone | (954) 765-4321 |
| Non-Emergency | (954) 764-HELP (4357) |
| Website | sheriff.org |
City Police Departments
Broward County has many cities with their own police departments. Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, and others maintain independent law enforcement agencies. Each handles police records for incidents within city limits. You need to contact the specific city police department for records of incidents that occurred there in Broward County.
The Hollywood Police Department records page shows how one city handles public records requests.
Each city police department in Broward County has its own process for requesting police records.
Major city police departments in Broward County:
- Fort Lauderdale Police Department
- Hollywood Police Department
- Pembroke Pines Police Department
- Coral Springs Police Department
- Miramar Police Department
- Plantation Police Department
- Sunrise Police Department
Broward County Government Records
The Broward County government maintains a public records portal for county agencies. The Broward County public records request page handles requests for county government documents. This system complements police records by providing access to other government records in Broward County.
Access Broward County's central public records portal for government documentation.
This system serves as a hub for public records from various county agencies in Broward County.
Requesting Police Records
To get police records in Broward County, first determine which agency handled the incident. The Broward Sheriff's Office covers unincorporated areas and contract cities. Cities with their own police departments handle their own records. Contact the correct agency to ensure your request is processed in Broward County.
Most agencies accept requests in person, by mail, or by email. Provide specific information about the incident. Include the date, location, people involved, and type of report needed. A case number helps speed up the search if you have one. The agency reviews your request and tells you if the record can be released under Florida law in Broward County.
Information needed to request police records:
- Date and time of incident
- Specific location or address
- Names of involved parties
- Type of incident or crime
- Report or case number if available
- Officer name if known
- Your contact information
Fees apply for copying records. Florida law allows agencies to charge 15 cents per page. Certified copies cost more. Large requests may include research fees. The agency provides a cost estimate before processing your request in Broward County.
Note: Records from active investigations may be withheld until the case is resolved in Broward County.
State Law Enforcement Resources
Florida state agencies provide additional access to law enforcement records. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement public records office handles state-level requests. The FDLE records portal accepts online submissions for state agency records including cases involving Broward County.
For traffic crash reports, use the Florida Highway Safety crash report system. This covers all accidents in Broward County investigated by any agency. Contact the Florida Highway Patrol for reports on I-95, I-595, and other state roads in Broward County.
Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes governs public records access throughout the state including Broward County.
Types of Police Records Available
Police records in Broward County include many types of documents. Incident reports detail crimes and calls for service. These show what happened, witness statements, and officer actions. Arrest reports list people booked into jail with charges, bond amounts, and booking dates. Both types are generally public unless an exemption applies in Broward County.
Traffic crash reports document vehicle accidents. These include driver information, vehicle details, injuries, and crash causes. You need these for insurance claims and legal proceedings. Get crash reports from the investigating agency or through the state crash portal for incidents in Broward County.
Common police records in Broward County:
- Incident and offense reports
- Arrest reports and booking records
- Traffic accident reports
- 911 call logs and recordings
- Citations and tickets
- Police response logs
- Body camera and dash cam footage
Some records have restricted access. Active criminal investigations often remain confidential until closed. Juvenile records may be restricted. The agency cites the specific legal exemption if a record cannot be released in Broward County.
Criminal History and Background Checks
For criminal history records beyond local police reports, contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The FDLE criminal history records office processes statewide background checks. These include arrests and convictions from all Florida counties including Broward County. You can request your own record or obtain someone else's with consent and fingerprints.
FDLE maintains a comprehensive criminal database. Background checks are used for employment, licensing, and legal purposes. Fees apply and fingerprints are required for most requests. Processing takes several weeks. These records provide broader information than local police records in Broward County.
Cities in Broward County
Broward County includes 31 municipalities. Many have their own police departments while others contract with the Broward Sheriff's Office. Contact the appropriate agency based on where the incident occurred in Broward County.
Other cities in Broward County include Weston, Margate, Coconut Creek, Parkland, Cooper City, Hallandale Beach, and many more. Each handles law enforcement through either their own police department or through the Broward Sheriff's Office.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Broward County. Each has separate law enforcement agencies and records systems. Verify which county the incident occurred in before requesting records.