Fort Lauderdale City Police Records are public documents created and stored by the Fort Lauderdale Police Department for every report, arrest, traffic crash, and case file that happens within city limits. Florida’s open records law gives every person the right to view or copy these records.
You do not need to live in Florida. You do not need to give a reason. You only need to follow the request process set by the police department or use the online tools the city provides.
What Are Fort Lauderdale City Police Records
Fort Lauderdale City Police Records include all written reports, case files, arrest forms, and supporting documents that the Fort Lauderdale Police Department creates during normal police work. These records cover calls for service, crimes, traffic stops, crashes, and arrests that happen inside Fort Lauderdale city limits. Each record carries a unique case number, the date of the event, the location, the names of people involved, and a written summary from the responding officer.
Who Maintains Police Records in Fort Lauderdale
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department writes and stores records for events inside Fort Lauderdale city limits. The department covers an area of about 36 square miles and serves a population of more than 190,000 people. The Broward County Sheriff’s Office handles records for events that happen in unincorporated parts of Broward County. For incidents on state roads or highways, the Florida Highway Patrol keeps the records. Knowing which agency wrote the report helps you send your request to the right office.
Florida Public Records Law and Your Rights
Florida law treats police records as public records under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. This law says that any person can ask for a copy of a public record. The police department must give you the record or tell you why it cannot share it. The agency must name the specific legal reason if it denies your request. You do not need to be a United States citizen, a Florida resident, or a lawyer to make a request. The department must respond in a reasonable amount of time.
Types of Police Records You Can Request
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department holds several different kinds of records. Each type covers a different event and contains different details. Most records become public once the case closes or once the active investigation ends. The main types of records you can ask for include incident reports, arrest records, traffic crash reports, and audio or video files.
Incident Reports and Case Files
An incident report is the written record an officer makes after responding to a call. It covers the time, place, and people involved in the event. The report also includes a narrative section where the officer describes what happened in their own words. Case files can include witness statements, evidence lists, and follow-up notes from detectives. You can ask for an incident report by case number, by date, by location, or by the name of a person involved.
Arrest Records and Booking Logs
An arrest record shows when a Fort Lauderdale police officer took a person into custody. The record lists the charges, the booking date, the arresting officer, the bond amount, and the location where the person was held. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department writes the arrest record. The Broward County Sheriff’s Office runs the county jail and creates the booking log. You can ask for arrest records through the police department and booking logs through the sheriff’s office.
Traffic Crash and Accident Reports
A traffic crash report documents a vehicle accident on a road inside Fort Lauderdale. The report includes a diagram, the names of drivers and passengers, insurance details, witness names, and any citations issued. Florida law keeps crash reports private for the first 60 days after the crash. After 60 days, the report moves to the state crash portal. The report costs twelve dollars through the state site. Early access during the 60-day window needs a sworn statement that explains why you need the report.
Body Camera and Audio Records
Fort Lauderdale police officers wear body cameras during their shifts. The audio and video from these cameras are public records. The department only keeps body camera footage for incidents from the last 90 days. After 90 days, the footage gets deleted in most cases. The department charges thirty-five dollars per hour to review and edit body camera video before release. The editing removes faces of people who are not part of the event, such as bystanders or minors.
How to Request Fort Lauderdale Police Records
You can ask for Fort Lauderdale City Police Records through four main methods. Each method works for a different type of request. The online portal is the fastest method for simple reports. Email works well when you need to share details. Phone requests work for quick questions. In-person visits help when you need same-day copies or want to pay on the spot. Pick the method that fits your situation and the type of record you need.
Online Records Request Portal
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department runs an online portal for public records requests. You fill out a form on the site with your name, contact details, and a clear description of the records you want. The form asks for the case number if you have one. You also add the date range and the type of record. The department reads the request and replies through the portal. You get a tracking number that lets you check the status of your request online.
Email and Phone Request Methods
You can email your request to PublicRecords@flpd.gov. Include the case number, the date of the event, the location, and the names of the people involved. You also need to say what type of record you want. The department replies to email requests during normal business hours. You can call the records line at 954-828-5465 between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. every day. The public records office phone at 954-828-5924 is open during business hours on weekdays.
In-Person and Mail Requests
You can visit the Fort Lauderdale Police Department Records Division in person during business hours. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bring a photo ID and the details of the record you need. The staff will help you fill out a request form and pay the copy fee. You can also mail a written request to the records division. The letter should include your return address, the case number or details, and a check or money order for the copy fee.
What Information You Need to Provide
Your request goes faster when you give the department the right details. The case number is the best piece of information. If you do not have the case number, give the date, the location, and the full names of the people involved. Also state the type of record you want, such as an incident report, an arrest record, or a crash report. The more details you add, the less time the staff spends searching. Vague requests slow the process and may lead to delays or denials.
Police Records Fees and Costs
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department charges fees for copies, research, and special handling. The fees cover the cost of paper, ink, staff time, and video editing. The standard fee for a single-sided paper copy is fifteen cents per page. More complex requests that need research, redaction, or video editing carry higher fees. The department gives you a price estimate before it starts work on a request that needs special handling.
Standard Copy and Research Fees
Single-sided copies cost fifteen cents per page. Double-sided copies cost fifteen cents per page as well, since the fee applies to each printed side. Research and redaction fees cover the staff time needed to find records and remove protected details. The department bills research time at an hourly rate that covers the salary of the lowest paid staff member who can do the work. Grid searches, which scan many records for a name or term, also carry the hourly research fee.
Body Camera and Special Record Fees
Body camera video review and redaction costs thirty-five dollars per hour. The department charges for the full review time, even if the final video is short. Photos, audio files, and video files carry the hourly research fee because a staff member must review each file before release. The department sends a bill after it finishes the work. You must pay within 30 days before the department starts working on your request. Payment methods include check, money order, and credit card.
Searching Police Records Online
You can search for some police records without sending a formal request. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department posts some recent reports on its site. The state crash portal gives you crash reports after the 60-day waiting period. The county court clerk lets you look at court records linked to police cases. The state criminal history system run by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement gives you statewide arrest and conviction data for a small fee.
Using the FLPD Public Records Portal
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department public records portal lets you file a request and track its status. You create an account with your name and email. You fill out a request form with the case details. The system sends you an email when the department adds a response or a file. You can download the records through the portal. The portal keeps a record of all your past requests so you can refer back to them at any time.
Statewide Criminal History Through FDLE
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the statewide criminal history system. The system covers arrests and convictions from every Florida police agency, including the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. You can ask for a criminal history check by mailing an application to FDLE in Tallahassee. You must include fingerprints and a twenty-four dollar fee per check. FDLE processes the request in 5 to 10 business days. You can also use a live scan vendor in Fort Lauderdale for faster fingerprinting.
Broward County Court Records and Clerk Files
The Broward County Clerk of Courts holds court records for cases that grew out of police reports. You can search the clerk’s online system for free. The search shows case numbers, party names, hearing dates, and the final outcome of each case. Court records often link back to a police case number. You can use both numbers to track a case from the police report stage to the court verdict. The clerk’s site also lets you print copies of court orders for a small fee.
What Can Be Withheld From Public View
Some police records are not open to the public. Florida law lists specific exemptions that let a police department deny a request. The main reason to withhold a record is to protect an active criminal investigation. Other reasons include protecting the identity of a victim, a witness, or a juvenile. Personal details like social security numbers, home addresses, and medical records also get removed before a record is released.
Active Investigations and Confidential Tips
The police department can deny a request for records tied to an open investigation. The denial must say that the record falls under the active investigation exemption. The department must also give a date when the record will become public, which is usually when the case closes. Confidential informant files also stay private. The names of people who called in tips to Crime Stoppers or similar programs are never released. These rules protect people who help the police solve crimes.
Juvenile Records and Victim Privacy
Records that involve minors are sealed in most cases. The names of juvenile suspects, juvenile victims, and juvenile witnesses are removed. The records may be released only to the minor, the minor’s parents, the minor’s lawyer, or a court order. Victim identity is also protected in certain cases. The names of sexual assault victims, domestic violence victims, and child abuse victims are removed from public copies. Photos of the victim are also removed before release.
How Long Records Requests Take
Most simple requests get filled within a few business days. A request for a single incident report with a case number often takes 3 to 5 business days. Larger requests that need research or redaction take longer. A request for body camera video with 10 hours of footage may take several weeks because the staff must review the video. The department sends you a status update if the request needs more than 30 days to process. You can ask the department for a status update at any time.
Appeals and Disputes Over Denied Requests
If the police department denies your request, you have the right to challenge the denial. The first step is to ask the department in writing to explain the legal reason for the denial. The department must cite a specific Florida Statute that supports the denial. If the reason does not apply to your request, you can file a lawsuit in the Broward County Circuit Court. The court will review the denial and order the department to release the record if the exemption does not apply. You can also file a complaint with the Florida Office of the Attorney General.
Contact Details and Office Locations
You can reach the Fort Lauderdale Police Department through the main switchboard, the records line, the public records office, and the online portal. The department posts its current office hours, phone numbers, and email address on its website. The records division is now at a temporary location on West Cypress Creek Road. The main headquarters is on Broward Boulevard. The department also lists its mailing address for written requests on the website.
Fort Lauderdale Police Department Headquarters
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department headquarters sits at 1300 West Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The headquarters handles patrol operations, criminal investigations, and administration. The building is open to the public during business hours. You can pick up forms, pay fees, and ask questions at the front desk. The headquarters is also where you go to file a police report in person for events that just happened.
Public Records Office Hours and Phone Numbers
The public records office at the Fort Lauderdale Police Department is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The office phone at 954-828-5924 is staffed during those hours. The records line at 954-828-5465 is open every day from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The email address for public records requests is PublicRecords@flpd.gov. The mailing address is Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Public Records Office, 1300 West Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312.
Official website: www.flpd.org
Records phone: 954-828-5465
Public Records Office: 954-828-5924
Email: PublicRecords@flpd.gov
Address: 1300 West Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common issues people face when they ask for Fort Lauderdale City Police Records. Each answer gives you the exact steps, the right contact, and the rules that apply. Read the question that fits your situation before you file your request. The answers point to the law, the fee, or the office that can help you move forward with your request.
How Do I Find an Old Fort Lauderdale Police Report?
Start with the case number if you have it. The case number is the fastest way to find an old report. If you do not have the case number, gather the date, the location, and the names of the people involved. Email these details to PublicRecords@flpd.gov. The records staff will search the archive for your report. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department keeps most records for several years, but very old records may have moved to the state archives. You can also check the county court clerk for court records linked to the same event.
Can I Get Police Records for Free in Fort Lauderdale?
You can view most police records for free at the records office during business hours. The free view does not give you a copy. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department charges fifteen cents per page for a paper copy. You can also read many court records on the Broward County Clerk of Courts website for free. The statewide criminal history check through FDLE costs twenty-four dollars. Body camera footage carries an hourly review fee on top of any copy fee. The fees are set by Florida law and cannot be waived for most requesters.
Are Juvenile Records Available to the Public?
Juvenile records are not open to the general public. Florida law seals most records that involve minors as suspects, victims, or witnesses. The minor, the parents of the minor, or the lawyer of the minor can ask for a copy. A judge can also order the release of juvenile records in special cases. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department removes all names, dates of birth, and personal details of minors from any record that is released to a third party. The redaction happens before the record is given to you.
What Is a Case Number and Where Can I Find It?
A case number is the unique code the police department gives to each report or arrest. The case number looks like a year followed by a series of numbers, such as 2024-123456. The case number appears on the top of every page of the original report. You can find the case number on your ticket, your citation, or any letter the police sent you. If you do not have the case number, the police can look it up using your name and the date of the event.
Can I Request Records on Behalf of Someone Else?
Yes, you can file a request on behalf of another person. The request must still include the case details and the type of record you want. You do not need a power of attorney for a simple public records request. The records will be released to you as the requester. Some records, like juvenile records or victim identity files, still need the consent of the protected person before release. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department may ask for proof of consent before sending those records to a third party.
How Long Does FLPD Keep Police Records?
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department keeps most adult arrest records for at least 75 years. Incident reports stay in the active system for several years and then move to the state archives. Traffic crash reports stay in the state system for at least 5 years. Body camera footage gets deleted after 90 days in most cases, unless someone filed a request before the deletion date. The exact retention period depends on the type of record and the Florida retention schedule. The department can tell you the exact schedule for any record you ask about.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Request Police Records?
You do not need a lawyer to file a public records request in Fort Lauderdale. Any person can fill out the form, pay the fee, and pick up the records. A lawyer can help you if the request gets denied or if you need to file an appeal. A lawyer can also help you understand the legal exemptions and the redactions in the record. Many people who need records for insurance claims, background checks, or personal matters file the request on their own without any legal help.