Hillsborough County Law Enforcement Records

Police records in Hillsborough County come from multiple agencies. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office handles unincorporated areas and operates the county jail. Tampa Police Department serves the city of Tampa. Other city departments include Temple Terrace Police and Plant City Police. All these agencies maintain their own police records. You need to contact the right agency based on where the incident happened. Hillsborough County is the fourth most populous in Florida with over 1.4 million residents.

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office serves unincorporated areas of the county. Deputies patrol communities like Brandon, Riverview, Town 'n' Country, and Carrollwood. The sheriff also runs the county jail and handles all booking records for Hillsborough County. Public records requests go through the sheriff's Records Division.

To request records from the sheriff's office, contact their main number or visit in person. They accept walk-in requests during business hours. Staff can help you identify which records exist and process your request. For large or complex requests, you may need to submit a written form with detailed information.

The sheriff's office maintains records for incidents in unincorporated Hillsborough County. This includes arrest records, incident reports, traffic citations, and crash reports. If your incident happened within a city, contact that city's police department instead.

Tampa Police Department Records

Tampa Police Department handles law enforcement for the city of Tampa. Their Records Division processes public records requests for incidents within city limits. You can request incident reports, arrest records, and other police documents. The department accepts requests in person, by mail, or through their online portal.

Tampa is the largest city in Hillsborough County with over 400,000 residents. The police department has multiple districts across the city. All records are centralized at the main headquarters. For questions about records, call the Records Division during business hours.

How to Request Police Records

Getting police records in Hillsborough County starts with knowing which agency handled your incident. If it happened in Tampa, contact Tampa Police. For unincorporated areas like Brandon or Riverview, contact the sheriff. Other cities have their own police departments with separate records.

Under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, you have the right to access most police records. You don't need to explain why you want them. Agencies must provide records within a reasonable time unless an exemption applies.

When you request records in Hillsborough County, include these details:

• Your full name and contact information
• Date and time of the incident
• Exact location where it happened
• Names of people involved
• Type of record you need (incident report, arrest record, crash report)
• Case or report number if you have it

The more specific you are, the faster staff can find your records. If you don't have all the details, they can still search by what you know. Be clear about the date range to help narrow the search in Hillsborough County.

Copy fees apply to paper records. Florida law allows up to 15 cents per page for single-sided copies and 20 cents for double-sided. Electronic records sent by email may be free. Certified copies cost more and require official seals. Ask for a fee estimate if you're requesting many pages.

Types of Police Records Available

Incident reports are the most common police records requested in Hillsborough County. These documents describe what happened when officers responded to a call. They include the date, time, location, people involved, witness statements, and the officer's observations. Most incident reports become public once the investigation is closed.

Arrest records show when someone was taken into custody in Hillsborough County. The record lists the charges, arresting officer, and booking details. All arrests result in booking at the county jail, which is run by the sheriff. Booking logs include mugshots, fingerprints, and bond amounts. These logs are updated daily and available to the public.

Traffic crash reports in Hillsborough County can be ordered through the Florida state system. The Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website at www.flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports/ handles crash reports from all agencies. You pay a small fee and get the report by email. This works for crashes investigated by the sheriff, Tampa Police, or Florida Highway Patrol.

Police records in Hillsborough County typically include:

• Incident and offense reports
• Arrest reports and booking logs
• Traffic citations and warnings
• Crash reports and diagrams
• Case status and investigation updates
• Use of force reports
• Jail booking records and inmate info

Statewide Police Record Resources

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains criminal records for the entire state. FDLE's public records portal at fdle.justfoia.com/publicportal handles requests for state-level police documents. This is useful if you need records from multiple agencies or statewide background information.

FDLE also processes criminal background checks for employment, licensing, and personal use. The fee is $24 per check in Florida. You submit fingerprints at approved vendors throughout Hillsborough County. Results take about one week by mail. Call FDLE at (850) 410-8161 for background check questions.

The Florida Highway Patrol patrols Interstate 75, Interstate 4, and other state roads through Hillsborough County. For serious crashes or incidents on these routes, FHP may be the investigating agency. Contact them at www.flhsmv.gov/florida-highway-patrol/contact-fhp/ to request reports from Hillsborough County.

Florida Public Records Law

Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes governs public records access in Hillsborough County. This law requires agencies to provide records unless a specific exemption applies. Most police records are public once the case is closed. Exemptions include active investigations, confidential informant identities, and sealed juvenile cases.

When you request records in Hillsborough County, the agency must respond promptly. They can charge for copying costs and staff time. If the request is complex, they may ask for a deposit. You have the right to inspect records for free before ordering copies.

If your request is denied in Hillsborough County, the agency must cite the statute that exempts those records. You can challenge denials through the courts. Most disputes get resolved through communication with the records custodian before litigation is needed.

Note: Each police agency in Hillsborough County has its own records custodian and process.

Cities in Hillsborough County

Hillsborough County has three incorporated cities with their own police departments. Contact the city police for incidents within city limits. For unincorporated areas, contact the sheriff.

Other cities in Hillsborough County include Plant City and Temple Terrace. Unincorporated communities like Brandon, Riverview, and Town 'n' Country are served by the sheriff's office.

Nearby Counties

Hillsborough County shares borders with several Tampa Bay area counties. Check the exact location of your incident to make sure you contact the right agency. Each sheriff has jurisdiction only within their county.