Fort Myers City Police Records are the official documents created by the Fort Myers Police Department for events that happen inside Fort Myers city limits. These records cover crime reports, traffic crashes, arrests, and calls for service.
Anyone can ask for a copy under Florida’s public records law. This page explains how the records system works, what types of files exist, who keeps them, and how to get copies fast in 2026.
What Are Fort Myers City Police Records
Fort Myers City Police Records are written reports made by sworn police officers in the city. Each report has a case number, a date, a location, names of people involved, and a written story of what the officer saw or learned. The records show how the police responded to each call. They also show what happened next, such as arrests, citations, or referrals to other agencies.
Types of Police Records Available
The Fort Myers Police Department creates many kinds of records. The most common type is the incident report. An incident report covers thefts, vandalism, disturbances, burglaries, assaults, and similar events. Each report lists the officer, the location, the time, and the facts known at the scene.
Arrest reports are another main type. These show when a person was taken into custody. The report lists the charges, the arresting officer, the booking time, and the jail where the person was held. Crash reports cover traffic accidents. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles office keeps the master copy, but the Fort Myers Police Department has the local report too.
Other records include calls for service logs, supplemental reports, evidence logs, and use-of-force reports. Some of these are open to the public. Others stay sealed because of Florida law. Records staff at the department can tell you which files are open and which are sealed.
Who Maintains These Records
The Fort Myers Police Department keeps records for events that happen inside the city. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office keeps records for events in unincorporated Lee County. The Lee County Sheriff also runs the county jail, so jail booking records for Fort Myers arrests are filed with the sheriff.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, also called FDLE, keeps statewide criminal history files. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles office keeps statewide crash reports. Each agency has its own job, and the right agency depends on what type of record you need.
Florida Public Records Law Coverage
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. It is called the Sunshine Law. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says that all government records are open to the public. The only exceptions are records that a specific law lists as exempt. Police records fall under this law. The Fort Myers Police Department must release records when asked, unless an exemption applies.
The law also says that agencies must answer requests fast. Most simple requests get a response in three to seven business days. Complex requests may take longer. The agency can charge a fee for the actual cost of copying and the time needed to review the records.
Fort Myers Police Department Contact Details
The Fort Myers Police Department is the main agency to contact for city police records. The department has one main office. Records staff work during normal business hours. You can visit, call, email, or send a written request through the mail.
Department Address and Hours
The Fort Myers Police Department is located at 2210 Widman Way, Fort Myers, FL 33901. This is the main headquarters. The records window is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office is closed on weekends and on federal holidays.
You can walk in during business hours to ask for a record in person. Bring a photo ID. The staff will help you fill out a request form. You can also mail a written request to the same address. Mark the envelope “Public Records Request” so it reaches the right desk.
Phone Number and Email
The main phone number for the Fort Myers Police Department is (239) 321-7700. This line is open 24 hours a day for emergencies. For records questions, call during business hours and ask for the records unit. The records staff can tell you what you need, what fees apply, and how long the request will take.
You can email records requests to the department’s public records email. The current email address is posted on the city website at the police department page. Always include your name, phone number, and a clear description of the record you need.
Official Website Links
The official website for the Fort Myers Police Department is www.fortmyers.gov/departments/police-department. This page has the latest contact details, the public records request form, and links to other city services. The site also lists recent news and community programs.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office website at www.leesheriff.com has jail records, booking logs, and sheriff reports. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles site at www.flhsmv.gov has statewide crash reports. The FDLE site at www.fdle.state.fl.us has criminal history requests and background checks.
How to Request Fort Myers Police Records
You can ask for Fort Myers police records in three ways. You can submit an online request through the city website. You can visit the records window in person. Or you can mail a written request to the department. Each method works, but the speed and cost may vary.
Online Request Process
The online portal is the fastest way to get Fort Myers police records. Go to the city website and find the public records request form. Fill in your name, contact details, and a clear description of the record. Add the case number if you have it. Add the date, location, and names of people involved if you do not have the case number.
The system gives you a tracking number once you submit the form. You can use this number to check the status of your request. The department will email you when the record is ready. You can then download the file or pick up a paper copy at the records window.
In-Person Request Process
You can walk in to the Fort Myers Police Department at 2210 Widman Way and ask for a record in person. Bring a photo ID. Tell the records staff what you need. They will search the computer system and tell you if the record exists. They will also tell you the fee.
Most simple requests are filled the same day. Complex requests may take longer. You pay the fee at the window and take your copy home. If the record is sealed or exempt, the staff will give you a written reason for the denial.
Mail Request Process
You can mail a written request to the Fort Myers Police Department. Address your letter to the Records Unit. Include your name, return address, phone number, and a clear description of the record. Add the case number if you have it. Add the date, location, and names of people involved if you do not.
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the department can mail your copy back. Include a check or money order for the fee. The department will process your request and mail the record to you. Mail requests take longer than online or walk-in requests.
Required Information for Requests
You will need certain facts to help the records staff find the right file. The more facts you have, the faster the search goes. Always include the date of the event. Include the street address or intersection. Include the names of people involved. Include the case number if you have it. Include the type of event, such as theft, crash, or arrest.
If you do not have all these facts, give the records staff as much as you know. They can search by name, by date range, or by location. A small fee may apply for searches that take a long time.
Fort Myers Police Records Fees
Fort Myers police records have fees set by Florida law. The law lets agencies charge the actual cost of copying records. The law also lets agencies charge for the staff time needed to review and redact records. Most simple requests cost very little. Complex requests cost more.
Standard Copy Fees
Most incident reports cost between one dollar and five dollars per copy. Arrest reports cost the same range. Traffic crash reports from the state database cost twelve dollars each. Background checks through FDLE cost twenty-four dollars. Copies of body camera footage or large files cost more because of the time needed to review the video.
The table below shows the common fees for Fort Myers police records in 2026.
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Incident Report Copy | $1 to $5 |
| Arrest Report Copy | $1 to $5 |
| Traffic Crash Report (State) | $12 |
| FDLE Background Check | $24 |
| Extensive Research or Redaction | Hourly staff rate |
Free Records and Fee Waivers
You can get some records for free. If you are the victim of a crime, you get one free copy of your incident report. If you are the party named in an arrest report, you get one free copy. Insurance companies and lawyers also get fee waivers in many cases.
The records staff can tell you if your request qualifies for a free copy. Always ask about fee waivers when you submit your request. The waiver must be approved before the record is released.
Payment Methods Accepted
The Fort Myers Police Department accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards for record fees. Online requests take credit card payments through the city portal. Walk-in requests take all four methods at the records window. Mail requests need a check or money order. Never send cash through the mail.
Search Fort Myers Police Reports Online
You can search for Fort Myers police reports online through several portals. The city portal handles local requests. The state portal handles crash reports. FDLE handles criminal history searches. Each portal has its own search tool and its own fees.
Using Case Number Lookup
The fastest way to find a record is by case number. Every Fort Myers police report has a unique case number. The case number starts with the year and a code for the type of report. For example, a case number might look like 2026-012345. If you have this number, the records staff can pull the file in seconds.
You can find the case number on any paperwork the police gave you at the scene. You can also find it on a ticket, a court summons, or a follow-up letter from the department. If you lost the case number, call the records unit and give them the date and location. They can search by those facts.
Searching by Name
You can search for Fort Myers police reports by name. The search tool lets you enter a first name and a last name. You can also enter a date range. The tool shows you a list of reports that match. You can then ask for a copy of the report you need.
Name searches work best when you know the full name and the rough date of the event. The search tool cannot show reports about people who were not charged. It also cannot show sealed records. Juvenile records are not open to name searches.
Florida State Crash Report Portal
The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles office runs a statewide crash report portal. You can buy any crash report filed in Florida through this portal. The portal is at www.flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports. The fee is twelve dollars per report. You can pay by credit card and download the report as a PDF.
The state portal has crash reports from Fort Myers and from every other city in Florida. The reports are posted to the portal within a few days of the crash. The portal is faster than asking the local police department for a crash report.
Annual Reports and Transparency
The Fort Myers Police Department publishes an annual report each year. The report covers crime stats, arrests, traffic stops, calls for service, and community programs. The 2025 annual report was published in early 2026. It shows the latest data on citywide crime trends and department performance.
Fort Myers Police Annual Report 2025
The 2025 annual report covers the full calendar year. It shows the number of calls for service, the number of arrests, the number of crashes, and the number of use-of-force incidents. It also shows response times, clearance rates, and community outreach events.
You can read the annual report on the city website. The report is a PDF file. It is free to download. The report gives a clear picture of police work in Fort Myers. It also shows how the department tracks its goals.
Public Transparency Portal
The city runs a public transparency portal. The portal has crime maps, arrest logs, call logs, and other open data. The portal is at the city website under the police department page. The data updates daily.
The crime map shows reported crimes by location. You can search by address or by neighborhood. The map shows the type of crime, the date, and the case number. The map does not show victim names. The map is a useful tool for residents and business owners who want to know what is happening in their area.
Community Crime Data
The department shares community crime data with residents. The data covers violent crime, property crime, and other major categories. The data is broken down by month and by neighborhood. You can compare the data from year to year.
The data shows trends over time. For example, the data may show that burglaries dropped in one neighborhood but rose in another. The data helps the department plan its patrols. The data also helps residents stay aware of local safety issues.
Lee County Sheriff Records
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office handles records for events outside Fort Myers city limits. The sheriff also runs the county jail. If you need a record from the sheriff, you contact the sheriff, not the city police. The sheriff has its own records unit, its own portal, and its own fees.
When to Contact the Sheriff
Contact the Lee County Sheriff if the event happened in unincorporated Lee County. Unincorporated areas are places outside the city limits of Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, and other cities. The sheriff is also the right contact for events on state roads that pass through the county.
The sheriff is the right contact for events in the county jail. If you need booking records, release dates, or inmate information, the sheriff has those files. The Fort Myers Police Department does not have jail records.
Jail Records and Booking Logs
The Lee County Sheriff posts booking logs online. The logs show current inmates, recent arrests, and release dates. The logs update every day. You can search by name to find a specific person.
The booking log shows the charges, the booking date, and the bond amount. The log also shows the court date. The log does not show the details of the case. You need to ask for the incident report to get those details.
County-Wide Records
The sheriff handles records for the whole county. This includes traffic stops, marine patrol events, and events on county property. The sheriff also handles records for special teams, such as SWAT and the bomb squad.
You can ask the sheriff for any record that falls under the sheriff’s job. The process is the same as the city process. You can submit a request online, in person, or by mail. The fees are similar to the city fees.
Statewide Criminal History Records
Statewide criminal history records are kept by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. FDLE collects data from every law enforcement agency in the state. The data goes into one central database. You can ask FDLE for a copy of your own record or for a background check on someone else.
FDLE Background Checks
FDLE offers two types of background checks. The first is a name-based check. The second is a fingerprint-based check. The fingerprint check is more accurate. Both checks cost twenty-four dollars. The results come back in five to ten business days.
You can order a background check through the FDLE website. You can also order one by mail. The form is on the FDLE site. You fill in the form, pay the fee, and send it to FDLE. The results are mailed back to you.
Statewide Public Records Portal
FDLE runs a public records portal at fdle.justfoia.com/publicportal. The portal handles requests for FDLE files. It does not handle local police reports. The portal is useful for requests about state-level investigations, sex offender registries, and missing persons.
The portal lets you track your request. You can upload documents through the portal. You get an email when the records are ready. The portal is a good tool for journalists, lawyers, and researchers who need many records.
Exempt Records and Privacy Protections
Florida law lists certain records as exempt from public release. The Fort Myers Police Department must follow these exemptions. The exemptions protect active investigations, victim privacy, juvenile records, and other sensitive material. The records staff can tell you which records fall under each exemption.
Active Investigation Exemptions
Records about active criminal investigations are exempt. The exemption lasts until the case is closed or charges are filed. The exemption protects the integrity of the investigation. It also protects witnesses, confidential informants, and undercover officers.
Once the case is closed, most records become open. You can then ask for a copy. Some parts of the record may still be redacted. The redactions protect the names of confidential informants, surveillance methods, and other sensitive facts.
Victim Privacy Redactions
Victim names and addresses in domestic violence cases and sexual assault cases are redacted. The redactions protect the victims from further harm. The redactions are required by Florida law. They apply to incident reports, arrest reports, and court records.
Some victim information is open in other types of cases. For example, the victim name in a theft case is usually open. The records staff can tell you which facts are redacted and which are open.
Juvenile Record Protections
Juvenile records are not open to the public. The records of minors arrested or charged in Fort Myers are sealed. Only the minor, the minor’s parents, and certain officials can see the records. The records stay sealed even after the minor turns eighteen, unless a court orders them unsealed.
The records staff cannot release juvenile records, even with a written request. The staff will tell you if a record is sealed and refer you to the court if you need more help.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common issues people face when they ask for Fort Myers police records. Each answer gives you the facts you need to move your request forward. Read the answers before you submit your request. The answers may save you time and money.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Police Report in Fort Myers?
Most simple requests for Fort Myers police records are filled in three to seven business days. Online requests are faster than mail requests. Walk-in requests are often filled the same day for simple reports. Complex requests with many pages or large redactions can take two to four weeks. The records staff will give you a time estimate when you submit your request. You can check the status of online requests through the city portal using your tracking number.
Can I Get a Fort Myers Police Report Online for Free?
Some Fort Myers police records are free if you are the victim or the party named in the report. Most other requests have a small fee. The fee covers the cost of copying and the staff time. You cannot get crash reports for free because the state charges a fee. Background checks through FDLE always have a fee. The records staff can tell you if your request qualifies for a free copy before you pay.
What If My Request Is Denied in Fort Myers?
If your request is denied, the Fort Myers Police Department must give you a written reason. The reason will cite the specific Florida law that allows the denial. You can challenge the denial by writing a letter to the department. You can also challenge the denial in court. Most denials are based on active investigations, juvenile records, or victim privacy. The records staff can explain the denial and tell you what your next steps are.
Are Fort Myers Arrest Records Public?
Yes, most Fort Myers arrest records are public. The record lists the charges, the arresting officer, and the booking date. The record is open once the case moves past the active investigation stage. You can ask for a copy through the same process used for incident reports. The fee is the same as an incident report fee. Victim names in certain cases may be redacted for privacy.
How Do I Find Old Fort Myers Police Records?
Old Fort Myers police records are kept by the department for many years. Records older than ten years may be in off-site storage. The records staff can still pull these files, but the search may take longer. You may need to give more details to help the search. Old records have the same fees as new records. Some very old records may have been destroyed under state retention rules. The records staff can tell you if the record still exists.
Can I Get Body Camera Footage from Fort Myers Police?
Body camera footage is a police record, but it has special rules. You must submit a written request for body camera footage. The department reviews the footage and redacts faces and voices to protect privacy. The review can take several weeks. The fee is based on the staff time needed for the review. Body camera footage from active investigations may be exempt until the case closes.
Where Do I Get a Fort Myers Crash Report?
You can get a Fort Myers crash report from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles office at www.flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports. The state portal has all crash reports filed in Florida. The fee is twelve dollars per report. You can also ask the Fort Myers Police Department for a copy of the local crash report. The local fee is one to five dollars. The state portal is usually faster than the local department.