Leon County police records cover reports from the Tallahassee Police Department and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Florida’s public records law lets any person search, view, and copy these documents.
This page covers every step to get incident reports, arrest logs, crash reports, and booking photos from Leon County agencies.
Leon County Police Agencies
Two main agencies serve Leon County. The Tallahassee Police Department covers the city. The Leon County Sheriff’s Office covers unincorporated areas and runs the county jail. Florida Highway Patrol handles major highways. Each agency keeps its own records based on the location of the incident.
Agency addresses, phone numbers, and hours appear at the bottom of this page. Call the right agency based on where the incident took place. Staff can help you decide the right agency if you are unsure about jurisdiction.
Leon County Sheriff’s Office Records
The Sheriff’s Office holds reports for arrests, calls, crashes, and investigations outside Tallahassee city limits. The agency runs a records unit that handles all public records requests under Florida law. The Sheriff’s Office covers about 700 square miles of unincorporated land around the city.
Types of Records Available
The Sheriff’s Office stores arrest reports, incident reports, booking logs, and crash reports. Each report shows the name, date, location, charges, and officer narrative. Most records become public after a case closes. Reports for active cases stay sealed under Florida law.
- Arrest reports with officer statements
- Incident reports for calls and complaints
- Booking logs from the county jail
- Crash reports on county roads
- Warrant data and service records
- Civil papers and process server logs
How to Submit a Request
Submit your request to the Sheriff’s Records Unit by email, phone, mail, or in person. Provide the full name, date of incident, location, and case number when possible. The agency responds within a few business days for most requests.
Email requests to records@leoncountyfl.gov or use the online form on the Sheriff’s website. The records unit charges copy fees set by Florida statute. You can pay by cash, check, or money order at the main office. Credit card payments are accepted for online requests.
Tallahassee Police Department Records
The Tallahassee Police Department keeps records for every incident inside city limits. This includes traffic stops, arrests, thefts, assaults, and crashes on city streets. TPD runs its own records division that answers public requests during regular business hours.
Records Maintained by TPD
TPD stores thousands of records each year. The records division organizes them by case number, name, date, and address. Reports cover everything from minor calls to major crimes. Call data and dispatch logs also fall under the public records law.
- Offense and incident reports
- Arrest affidavits and booking sheets
- Traffic citations and crash reports
- Evidence logs and property records
- Calls for service data
- Body camera release forms
Public Records Request Process
Send a written request to the TPD Records Division. Include the same key details used for the Sheriff. TPD uses the same Florida public records law for response times and fees. The agency logs every request in a tracking system.
You can file a request in person at 234 East 7th Avenue. Mail requests go to the same address. Online requests are accepted through the city of Tallahassee public records portal at talgov.com. You will get a confirmation email with a tracking number.
How to Get a Police Report in Leon County
Florida law gives you the right to request any police report. You do not need to live in Florida. You do not need to explain why you want the report. The agency must respond within a reasonable time. The same right applies to arrest records, crash reports, and 911 audio.
Required Details for Your Request
Gather as much detail as possible before you submit a request. More details mean faster results. Missing details can slow the search or lead to wrong records. A case number gives the fastest response from either agency.
- Full name of the person involved
- Date or approximate date of the event
- Address or location where it happened
- Type of incident such as arrest, crash, or theft
- Case number or report number if known
- Name of the agency that responded
Online and In-Person Methods
You can file requests online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Most agencies in Leon County accept all four methods. Online requests get email responses. In-person requests get same-day answers for simple searches that pull from the active database.
The Sheriff’s Office and TPD both maintain online request forms. These forms send your request directly to the records unit. You will get a tracking number by email once the agency receives your request. Phone requests work for simple questions about case status and fees.
Arrest and Booking Records
All arrests in Leon County end at the Leon County Jail. The Sheriff’s Office runs the jail and posts booking data on its website. Booking records show the arrestee’s name, photo, charges, bond amount, and booking date. The roster updates every 15 minutes.
Leon County Jail Roster
The jail roster updates every 15 minutes. You can search by name or booking date. The roster shows current inmates only. Released inmates no longer appear after they leave custody. The data stays on the public website for 90 days after release.
For full arrest reports, contact the agency that made the arrest. The Tallahassee Police Department writes arrest reports for city arrests. The Sheriff’s Office writes reports for county arrests. Both send arrestees to the same jail for booking photos and processing.
Mugshots and Booking Details
Mugshots are public records in Florida. Agencies must release them when asked. You can request photos by mail, email, or in person. The agency charges a copy fee for printed photos. Digital copies sent by email have no printing fee.
Booking details include height, weight, age, charges, bond, and arrest date. This data appears on the jail roster right after booking. You can screenshot or print the data at no cost from the public website. Paper copies require a written request.
Traffic Crash Reports
Florida law requires a crash report for any crash with injury, death, or property damage over $500. Crashes in Leon County get filed by TPD, the Sheriff’s Office, or Florida Highway Patrol based on location. Each report goes to the state database within 10 days.
Florida Highway Patrol Reports
Florida Highway Patrol covers Interstate 10, US-27, US-90, and other state roads. FHP files crash reports that go to the state database. You can order FHP reports through the state crash report system. The system holds reports for 5 years.
To reach FHP, dial *FHP (*347) from a cell phone. This connects you to the nearest dispatch center. The FHP website lists contact details for every troop station in Florida. The Tallahassee troop station covers Leon County and surrounding areas.
Online Crash Report Ordering
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles runs the central crash report database. You can order any crash report filed in Florida through this system. The fee is set by state law and paid online with a credit or debit card.
Visit the FLHSMV website at flhsmv.gov and click on Traffic Crash Reports. Search by date, county, and name. The system emails you a PDF copy of the report within minutes of payment. Most reports appear in the system within 5 to 7 days of the crash.
Criminal History and Background Checks
Statewide criminal history checks come from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. FDLE collects arrest and court data from every Florida county. The database covers all of Leon County and the rest of the state. The data goes back more than 50 years.
FDLE Public Records Portal
FDLE runs an online portal for public records requests. Create a free account at fdle.justfoia.com. Submit your request and track its status from your account dashboard. Most requests get a response in three to five business days.
The portal handles requests for FDLE documents only. Local Leon County police reports go to TPD or the Sheriff’s Office. State background checks go through the FDLE criminal history system. The two systems serve different needs for different types of records.
In-Person Background Check
You can request a background check in person at the FDLE office in Tallahassee. The office sits at 2331 Phillips Road. Walk-in service runs Monday through Friday during business hours. Bring photo ID and payment. The office can fingerprint you on site.
The fee for a Florida criminal history check is $24. Fingerprints are required for name-based checks. Electronic fingerprinting is available at the Tallahassee office and at many private vendors around Leon County. Results arrive the same day for in-person requests.
Florida Public Records Law
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes gives every person the right to view and copy government records. Police records fall under this law unless a specific exemption applies. Leon County agencies must follow Chapter 119 for all police records requests. The law has been in place since 1909.
Chapter 119 Statutes
Chapter 119 covers all state and local government records. It applies to police reports, arrest records, crash reports, and 911 audio. Agencies can charge fees for copies and staff time spent on searches. The law favors open access over agency secrecy.
If your request will cost more than $200, the agency must give you a written estimate before doing the work. You can agree to the cost or narrow your request to lower the fee. Most basic requests cost much less than $200. The estimate must come in writing within a set time.
Exempt Records and Privacy
Some records are exempt from public release. Active criminal investigations can be withheld. The names of confidential informants stay private. Social Security numbers and other personal data get redacted before release. Medical data tied to an investigation also stays sealed.
Juvenile records have extra privacy protections. Medical records tied to an investigation may also stay sealed. If an agency denies your request, they must cite the specific Florida statute that allows the denial. The denial must come in writing.
Costs, Fees, and Processing Times
Most Leon County police records requests cost between $0 and $50. Copy fees run 15 to 25 cents per page. Photo copies cost more. Audio and video redactions add staff time charges. Certified copies cost an extra fee under Florida law.
Simple requests with a case number often get filled in 24 to 48 hours. Complex searches without case numbers can take 7 to 10 business days. Large requests for many reports may take 30 days or more. The agency must give a written estimate for large jobs.
Leon County Contact Details
Below are the addresses, phone numbers, and hours for each agency that holds Leon County police records. Call the right agency based on where the incident took place. The Sheriff’s Office covers unincorporated areas. TPD covers the city.
Leon County Sheriff’s Office
2825 Municipal Way, Tallahassee, FL 32304
Phone: (850) 606-3300
Records Phone: (850) 606-3313
Records Email: records@leoncountyfl.gov
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Website: www.leoncountyso.com
Tallahassee Police Department
234 East 7th Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone: (850) 891-4200
Records Phone: (850) 891-4259
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Website: www.talgov.com/tpd
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: (850) 410-7676
Public Records Email: publicrecords@fdle.state.fl.us
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Website: www.fdle.state.fl.us
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
2900 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: (850) 617-2000
Crash Reports: flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common requests for Leon County police records. Each answer reflects current Florida law and Leon County agency practice as of 2026. Contact the agency directly for case-specific details about your request.
How long does it take to get a police report in Leon County?
Simple requests with a case number take 1 to 3 business days from the Tallahassee Police Department or the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Requests without a case number take 5 to 10 business days because the records unit must search by name, date, or location. Large requests for many reports can take 30 days or longer based on the total staff time needed. Florida law requires agencies to respond within a reasonable time, but it does not set a fixed deadline for every request. You can call the records unit to check the status of your request at any point. Email updates arrive automatically through the online request portal. In-person requests at the front desk of either agency often get same-day answers for basic searches. The Sheriff’s Office records unit can be reached at (850) 606-3313. The Tallahassee Police Department records unit can be reached at (850) 891-4259. Both units operate Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. If your request is urgent, such as for a court deadline or insurance claim, let the records staff know so they can prioritize it. You can also pay extra for expedited service in some cases through FDLE or third-party vendors that pull public records on your behalf.
Can I get a police report online in Leon County?
Yes, the Sheriff’s Office and TPD both accept online requests. You can also order crash reports through the FLHSMV crash report system at flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports. Online requests get a tracking number by email within minutes of submission. Most reports arrive as PDF files attached to an email response. You pay any fees with a credit or debit card online through the secure payment portal. The online request forms let you attach supporting documents, such as a court order or proof of identity. The Sheriff’s online form is at leoncountyso.com under the records section. The TPD form is at talgov.com under public records. Both systems run 24 hours a day for submission. Staff process requests only during business hours. You can also order FDLE criminal history checks online through the public records portal at fdle.justfoia.com. Online requests cut the response time in half compared to mail-in requests because the agency gets the data the same day you submit it. Print the confirmation page for your records as proof of submission.
Are Leon County arrest records public?
Yes, arrest records and booking photos are public in Florida. The Leon County jail roster shows current inmates at the Leon County Detention Facility. You can search the roster by name on the Sheriff’s website at leoncountyso.com. The roster refreshes every 15 minutes with new bookings and releases. Released inmates no longer appear on the roster, but the arrest report stays on file and can be requested from the agency that made the arrest. The Tallahassee Police Department keeps arrest reports for city arrests. The Sheriff’s Office keeps reports for county arrests. Both agencies release arrest reports once the case closes or the investigation ends. Active investigations stay sealed under Florida law. You can request mugshots separately from the agency that took them. Florida law makes booking photos a public record, so agencies cannot refuse a request for a current mugshot. The cost runs from $1 to $5 per printed photo, depending on the agency. Email delivery has no printing fee. You can also pull the data from the public jail roster for free without a written request. The roster shows charges, bond, and booking date for every inmate.
How much does a police report cost in Leon County?
Copy fees run 15 to 25 cents per page under Florida statute. Photo copies cost more, often $1 to $5 per photo, depending on size and format. Audio and video redactions add staff time charges at the hourly rate set by the agency. The agency must give you a written estimate if fees will exceed $200 for your request. Most simple requests cost less than $25 total for a 10 to 15 page report. Certified copies cost an extra $1 to $2 per page under Florida law. Crash reports through the FLHSMV system cost a flat fee per report, paid online by credit or debit card. FDLE background checks cost $24 per name-based search plus fingerprinting fees if you need ink cards. The Sheriff’s Office and TPD accept cash, check, money order, and credit card for in-person payments. Online requests require a credit or debit card. You can request a fee waiver for records you plan to use for journalism, academic research, or public interest, but the agency can deny the waiver for large jobs. Always ask for a written estimate before approving a large job to avoid surprise fees on the back end. Records that take more than 30 minutes of staff time to locate can carry an additional special service charge set by the agency.
Can I request records on behalf of someone else?
Yes, you can request any Leon County police record. Florida law lets any person request public records. You do not need the subject’s permission. You do not need to be a Florida resident. You do not need to explain why you want the record. The agency must release the record unless a specific Florida exemption blocks the release under Chapter 119. Many employers, attorneys, and insurance companies request records on behalf of their clients or employees every day. The agency will not contact the subject to ask for permission, so the request stays private between you and the agency. The agency will redact personal data, such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and home addresses, before release to protect the subject’s privacy. The same redaction rules apply whether you request for yourself or on behalf of a client. You can also hire a third-party public records service to file the request and pull the records for you. These services charge a flat fee per record plus the agency fees. They save time for people who need many records from many agencies. The records come back to you through the third party, not the agency directly.
What if my request gets denied?
The agency must cite the Florida statute that allows the denial. You can challenge the denial in Leon County Circuit Court at 301 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301. Florida courts favor public access over agency secrecy in close cases. The court will look at the specific statute cited and the facts of your case. You can also narrow your request to remove exempt data, such as asking for the report without witness names or juvenile data. The agency must then release the redacted version. You can appeal the denial through the agency’s internal review process before going to court. Most agencies have a public records custodian who handles appeals. The appeal goes to the agency head, such as the chief of police or the sheriff. The agency must respond to the appeal within a set time. If the appeal fails, you can file a lawsuit in circuit court. The court can order the agency to release the record and pay your attorney fees. The agency can also settle the case by releasing the record before the hearing. Mediation is another option for disputes that do not need a court order. The mediator works for the Florida Attorney General’s Office and handles public records disputes for free.
How do I get a background check for employment?
Submit a background check request to FDLE with the subject’s written consent. The fee is $24 for a Florida-only check at the time of this writing. You need fingerprints for the check, taken at a certified live scan location or at the FDLE office in Tallahassee. The results go to the requester within 5 to 10 business days by mail. Walk-in requests at the FDLE office often return same-day results for name-based searches. Many employers use a third-party channeling service for faster results. These services submit the request electronically and pull the results within 24 to 48 hours. The subject must sign a release form before the employer can run the check. The form must comply with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. Florida law also requires the subject’s written consent for any criminal history check. The check pulls data from the FDLE database, which covers every Florida county. The check does not pull data from other states or from federal agencies. For a national check, you need to use a private vendor that pulls data from multiple databases. The cost for a national check runs $40 to $100, depending on the vendor. The results include arrests, charges, court dispositions, and sentencing data. The data goes back 50 years or more in the FDLE system. Expunged or sealed records do not appear on the check under Florida law.