Lee County police records include all incident reports, arrest records, crash reports, and booking logs created by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and city police departments in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, and Sanibel. Florida’s public records law (Chapter 119) gives every person the right to request and copy these records from any law enforcement agency in Lee County, Florida.
This page covers how to get police reports by name, by case number, by date, and online, plus the exact steps, fees, and contact details for each agency serving the county in 2026.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office Records
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) serves all unincorporated areas of the county and runs the county jail. Sheriff deputies respond to calls, file incident reports, make arrests, and investigate crimes outside city limits. Every report the Sheriff’s Office creates is a public record under Florida law.
Sheriff Records Division
The Sheriff’s Records Division handles all public records requests for LCSO. You can request incident reports, arrest affidavits, crash reports taken by deputies, and calls for service logs. The division sits inside the Sheriff’s headquarters at 14750 Six Mile Cypress Parkway in Fort Myers. Staff answer phone requests Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: (239) 477-1000.
Types of Records Held by the Sheriff
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office keeps several kinds of records. Each one has its own release rules and fees. The list below shows the main record types and what they contain.
- Incident reports (the written account of a call or event deputies responded to)
- Arrest reports and arrest affidavits (the probable cause statement for each arrest)
- Crash reports filed by Sheriff deputies on local roads
- Booking photos and jail records (mugshots, charges, bond, release date)
- Calls for service logs (daily list of calls deputies answered)
- Warrants issued by the Sheriff’s Office (active and cleared)
Sheriff Online Search Tools
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office runs a public online portal for current inmates. The jail roster shows every person booked into the Lee County Jail by name, booking date, and charges. The roster refreshes every 15 minutes. The Sheriff also posts active warrants on the website for public review. For full incident or arrest reports, you must contact the Records Division directly because Florida agencies do not publish full narratives online for privacy reasons.
City Police Departments in Lee County
Six cities inside Lee County run their own police departments. Each one keeps its own records and answers its own public records requests. Jurisdiction depends on where the incident happened, not where the person lives.
Fort Myers Police Department
The Fort Myers Police Department (FMPD) handles all calls inside the city of Fort Myers. The FMPD Records Section sits at 2210 Widman Way, Fort Myers, FL 33901. Phone: (239) 321-7700. FMPD files incident reports, arrest reports, traffic crash reports, and traffic citations for events inside the city. Their public records portal allows online requests for police reports by case number or by name. Reports cost $0.15 per page for paper copies plus a small search fee for older records.
Cape Coral Police Department
The Cape Coral Police Department covers the city of Cape Coral, which is the largest city in Lee County by land area. CCPD headquarters sit at 1100 Cultural Park Boulevard, Cape Coral, FL 33990. Phone: (239) 574-3223. The Records Bureau accepts in-person, mail, and email requests. Their website lists instructions, fees, and a printable request form. Crash reports inside Cape Coral cost $10 each. Arrest reports and incident reports cost $0.15 per page.
Sanibel Police Department
The Sanibel Police Department serves the city of Sanibel and the Sanibel Causeway. SPD is at 800 Dunlop Road, Sanibel, FL 33957. Phone: (239) 472-3111. Reports for incidents on Sanibel must come from SPD, not the Sheriff’s Office. Request forms are available at the front desk or by email from the records clerk.
Bonita Springs and Other City Agencies
The Bonita Springs Police Department covers Bonita Springs at 9101 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135. Phone: (239) 949-6250. The Estero Police District covers the village of Estero. Florida Gulf Coast University Police covers campus property only. Fort Myers Beach relies on the Lee County Sheriff’s Office because the town was absorbed into unincorporated Lee County after Hurricane Ian.
How to Request Lee County Police Records
Florida law gives every person the right to request police records from any agency. You do not need to live in Lee County, you do not need to be a citizen, and you do not need to give a reason. The agency must respond within a reasonable time. Most requests close in 5 to 10 business days.
Information You Need Before Requesting
Records staff search faster when you give them specific details. The list below shows the items that speed up a search for any Lee County police records request.
- Full name and date of birth of the person involved
- Date of the incident (or the closest week or month if you do not know the exact date)
- Location of the incident (street, city, or area)
- Type of incident (arrest, crash, theft, assault, etc.)
- Case number or report number (if you have it)
- Agency name (Sheriff, Fort Myers PD, Cape Coral PD, etc.)
Fees and Turnaround Times
Each agency sets its own fees under Florida law. The table below shows what you can expect to pay and how long requests take for the main agencies in Lee County in 2026.
| Agency | Report Copy Fee | Search Fee | Average Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lee County Sheriff’s Office | $0.15 per page | $1 per year searched | 5 to 10 business days |
| Fort Myers Police Department | $0.15 per page | $0.50 per record | 3 to 7 business days |
| Cape Coral Police Department | $0.15 per page | No charge | 5 to 10 business days |
| Bonita Springs Police Department | $0.15 per page | No charge | 5 to 14 business days |
| Sanibel Police Department | $0.25 per page | $2 flat fee | 7 to 14 business days |
Submitting a Request Online or by Mail
Most Lee County agencies now accept public records requests through email, online portals, or in person. You can send a written request to the agency’s records unit with the details listed above. Include your contact information and a daytime phone number. Mail requests must include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for the copy fee. Online portals give you a tracking number so you can check status without calling.
Arrest Records and Booking Photos
Arrest records in Lee County come from two sources: the police agency that made the arrest, and the Lee County Jail where the person was booked. Each one holds a different piece of the file.
Current Jail Roster
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office publishes a current inmate roster on its website. The list shows every person in custody at the time, with name, booking date, charges, and bond amount. The roster updates automatically and is free to view. Past inmates (released more than 48 hours ago) drop off the public roster, but their booking records remain on file. To get a record of a past booking, you must submit a public records request to the Sheriff’s Records Division.
Mugshot Release Rules
Booking photos in Florida are public record. The Sheriff’s Office and city police departments must release mugshots on request. Agencies may charge a fee for printed or digital copies. They cannot refuse to release a booking photo just because the case is open. Active criminal investigation exemptions under Chapter 119 protect investigative files, not booking photos.
How Long Arrest Records Stay on File
Arrest records stay on file at the Sheriff’s Office for the life of the case plus the retention period set by the Florida Department of State. Most adult felony arrest records remain in the system indefinitely. Misdemeanor arrest records have shorter retention schedules but remain available for background checks for years after the case closes.
Traffic Crash Reports in Lee County
Any traffic crash in Florida that causes injury, death, or property damage over $500 requires a written crash report. The report is filed with the state and becomes a public record within 10 days of the crash.
Florida Highway Patrol Reports
Crashes on Interstate 75, US-41 (Tamiami Trail), State Road 82, and other major state roads fall under the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). FHP Troop F covers Lee County. You can order FHP crash reports through the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) online portal. Visit the FLHSMV traffic crash reports page to search by crash date, county, and report number. Each report costs $10. Reports become available 5 to 10 days after the crash. FHP also answers non-emergency calls at *FHP (*347) from any cell phone.
Local Agency Crash Reports
Crashes inside city limits get filed by the city police department that responded. Fort Myers PD, Cape Coral PD, Sanibel PD, and Bonita Springs PD all keep their own crash reports. You must request the report from the correct city agency, not the Sheriff. All Florida crash reports also feed into the FLHSMV state database, so you can search the state portal first to find the report number before ordering the full document.
Florida Statewide Criminal History Records
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) runs the central criminal history system. Every arrest, charge, and court outcome from Lee County feeds into this statewide database. Background checks pull from the same system.
FDLE Public Records Portal
FDLE accepts public records requests through an online portal. You can create a free account and submit a request for FDLE records at the FDLE public records portal. This portal is for FDLE records, not for local Lee County agency records. For Lee County records, contact the local agency directly. FDLE responds to portal requests within a few business days for most record types.
Criminal Background Check Fees and Fingerprints
A Florida criminal history check costs $24 per person. You can request a check by mail, in person, or through an authorized channeler. Mail requests go to FDLE, P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, FL 32302. In-person service is available at FDLE headquarters, 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Phone: (850) 410-8161. Many locations in Lee County offer electronic LiveScan fingerprinting that feeds directly into the FDLE database. Same-day results are available for walk-in fingerprint requests at the Tallahassee office.
Florida Public Records Law (Chapter 119)
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes is the state law that gives the public the right to see and copy government records. Police records fall under this law. Every law enforcement agency in Lee County must follow the same rules.
Records That Are Always Public
Most police records are public in Florida. The list below shows common record types that agencies must release on request.
- Incident reports and case narratives once the case is closed
- Arrest reports and probable cause affidavits
- Booking photos and jail records
- 911 call recordings and CAD (computer-aided dispatch) logs
- Crash reports filed by police
- Warrants that have been served or executed
Records That Can Be Withheld
Florida law lists specific exemptions. Agencies can withhold or redact certain information. Active criminal investigations, confidential informant identities, social security numbers, juvenile records, and certain personal details fall under these exemptions. The agency must cite the exact statute when it denies or redacts a record. If you believe the denial is wrong, you can challenge it in court under Chapter 119. Florida courts side with public access in most cases.
Contact Information for Lee County Agencies
The contact list below covers the main agencies that hold police records in Lee County. All phone numbers and hours reflect 2026 operations.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office headquarters sits at 14750 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33912. Main phone: (239) 477-1000. Records Division phone: (239) 477-1000 (ask for Records). Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Non-emergency dispatch: (239) 477-1000. Emergency: 911. Website: lee-sheriff.org. Records requests can be made in person, by mail, or by email through the public records request form on the website.
Fort Myers Police Department
The Fort Myers Police Department sits at 2210 Widman Way, Fort Myers, FL 33901. Phone: (239) 321-7700. Records Section hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Online request form is available on the FMPD website. Mail requests should include a self-addressed stamped envelope and proper payment.
Cape Coral Police Department
The Cape Coral Police Department sits at 1100 Cultural Park Boulevard, Cape Coral, FL 33990. Phone: (239) 574-3223. Records Bureau hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The department accepts email, in-person, and mail requests for police reports.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement headquarters sits at 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Public records phone: (850) 410-7676. Criminal history phone: (850) 410-8161. Email: publicrecords@fdle.state.fl.us. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Website: fdle.state.fl.us. Mail address: FDLE, P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, FL 32302.
Florida Highway Patrol (Troop F)
The Florida Highway Patrol Troop F serves Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties. Non-emergency: *FHP (*347). Crash report orders go through the FLHSMV portal. Mailing address: FHP Troop F, P.O. Box 1048, North Port, FL 34286. Phone: (941) 861-1100.
Cities and Communities in Lee County
Lee County covers more than 800 square miles in Southwest Florida. The county includes cities, towns, villages, and unincorporated communities. Each area falls under a different law enforcement agency for police records purposes.
City Police Departments
Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sanibel, and Bonita Springs each run their own police departments. Records for incidents inside these cities come from the city agency, not the Sheriff’s Office. Check the location of the incident first to know which agency to contact.
Unincorporated Areas
Communities outside city limits fall under the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. This includes Lehigh Acres, Estero, North Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Iona, San Carlos Park, Gateway, and Alva. All records for these areas come from LCSO.
Nearby Counties
Lee County borders Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties. Crashes or incidents near the county line may fall under a different agency. Check the exact address before submitting a request to avoid delays.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lee County Police Records
This FAQ section answers the most common questions people ask about getting police reports, arrest records, and crash reports in Lee County, Florida. Each answer reflects 2026 Florida public records law and current agency procedures.
Can I view Lee County police records for free?
Yes, the Lee County jail roster and active warrant list are free to view on the Sheriff’s Office website. Most other records (incident reports, arrest reports, crash reports) require a copy fee. Florida law allows agencies to charge for the actual cost of duplication, which usually runs $0.15 to $0.25 per page. The first 30 minutes of search time is also free under most agency policies. If your request takes more than 30 minutes of staff time, the agency can bill you for the extra time at their hourly rate. A written estimate is required before the agency starts work if the total bill will exceed $200.
How long does it take to get a police report in Lee County?
Most Lee County police records requests close within 5 to 10 business days. Simple requests (with a name, date, and case number) often finish in 3 to 5 days. Older records that need a manual search can take 2 to 4 weeks. Florida law does not set a strict deadline, but it requires agencies to respond “within a reasonable time.” If your request stalls past 30 days, you can file a complaint with the agency’s supervisor or send a written follow-up citing Chapter 119.
Can I get a Lee County police report by case number?
Yes, searching by case number is the fastest method. Every police report in Lee County has a unique case or report number. Provide the case number to the records unit and the staff can pull the file immediately. Case numbers appear on the original report, on citation paperwork, and on court summons. If you do not have the case number, search by name and date instead.
Are Lee County juvenile records public?
No. Florida law treats juvenile arrest records and incident reports as confidential under Chapter 985. Juvenile records are not released to the public, even to the juvenile’s parents in many cases. Only the youth, the parents or guardians, the youth’s attorney, and certain agencies can view juvenile records. A court order can unseal some records. Adult records (anyone 18 or older) are public under Chapter 119.
How do I get a background check in Lee County?
For a Florida statewide background check, request a criminal history report from FDLE. The fee is $24 per person. You can submit fingerprints in person at FDLE headquarters in Tallahassee, at a LiveScan location in Lee County, or by mail. Results return in 5 to 10 business days for mail requests, or same-day for walk-in fingerprint service. For local Lee County records only, contact the Sheriff’s Office Records Division or the relevant city police department directly.
What if my Lee County police records request is denied?
If an agency denies your request, the agency must cite the specific Florida Statute that allows the denial. You can challenge the denial by sending a written appeal to the agency’s custodian of public records. If the agency still denies the request, you can file a civil action in the local circuit court. Lee County sits in the 20th Judicial Circuit. Florida courts strongly favor public access, and the agency must prove the exemption applies. You can also contact the Florida Attorney General’s Office for a written opinion on the dispute.
Can I get Lee County police records from another state?
Yes. Florida law allows anyone, regardless of state of residence or citizenship, to request Lee County police records. You do not need to live in Florida. You can submit a request by mail, email, or online portal from any state. Some agencies will mail physical copies to out-of-state addresses for the standard copy fee plus postage. Other agencies will email PDF scans for free. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office accepts mailed requests with a self-addressed stamped envelope from any U.S. state.