Plantation City police records are public files kept by the Plantation Police Department in Broward County, Florida. These records cover incident reports, arrest logs, traffic crash reports, and other law enforcement documents created in the city.
Most of these files are open to the public under Florida law. This page explains what records exist, how to request them, what they cost, and who to contact for each type of report.
How the Plantation Police Department Works
The Plantation Police Department serves the city of Plantation, a community of about 93,000 people in central Broward County. The department handles all local law enforcement duties, including patrol, traffic stops, criminal investigations, and community policing. Officers write reports for every incident they handle, and these reports become part of the city’s public file system.
What the Records Unit Does
The Records Unit, also called the General Services Division, manages all reports and documents created by the department. Staff in this unit file reports, process requests, redact exempt material, and prepare copies for the public. They also handle background check requests that come directly through the department, by mail, or by email. The unit works Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
Where the Department Operates
The police department’s main headquarters sits at 400 NW 73rd Avenue in Plantation, Florida. This is where the Records Unit works and where you can go in person to ask for reports. The building is open to the public during posted hours. Records older than a certain date may have been moved to a storage archive, which can take extra time to pull.
Types of Police Records You Can Request
Plantation police create many kinds of records. Each type has a different purpose and different rules for who can get a copy. Knowing what kind of record you need helps you fill out your request the right way.
Incident and Offense Reports
An incident report is the main document officers write when they respond to a call. It covers crimes like theft, burglary, assault, vandalism, and fraud. The report has the date, place, names of people involved, a summary of what happened, and any evidence collected. People use these reports for insurance claims, court cases, and personal files. Most incident reports are public, but ones tied to active investigations or sealed by a court stay closed.
Arrest and Custody Records
Arrest records show when someone was taken into custody by Plantation police. They list the charges, the date and time of arrest, the booking officer, and where the person was held. If the arrest happened in Plantation but the person was booked into the county jail, the jail booking part belongs to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. Arrest records are public unless a court has sealed them.
Traffic and Vehicular Accident Reports
When a crash happens in Plantation, an officer writes a traffic crash report. It includes the date, the road, the cars and drivers involved, a diagram of the scene, and any citations issued. Insurance companies ask for these reports after accidents. You can get them from the Plantation Police Department or through the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles state portal at flhsmv.gov.
Supplementary and Case Reports
Supplementary reports add to a main incident report. Officers write them when new facts come up after the first report is filed. Case reports tie together all the reports and evidence for one investigation. These reports are also public in most cases. You can ask for them by case number, which the department can give you if you have the date and a name.
Record Types, Costs, and Where to Get Them
The table below shows the main record types, the fees you can expect, where to request each one, and how long it usually takes. Use this table as a quick reference before you start your request.
| Record Type | Typical Cost | Where to Request | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incident or Offense Report | $0 to $5 for a regular copy | Plantation PD Records Unit | 3 to 5 business days |
| Arrest Report | $0 to $5 for a regular copy | Plantation PD Records Unit | 3 to 5 business days |
| Traffic Crash Report | $10 per report | FLHSMV portal or Plantation PD | 1 to 2 business days |
| Supplementary Report | $0 to $5 for a regular copy | Plantation PD Records Unit | 5 to 10 business days |
| Certified Copy of Any Report | $1 to $5 extra per report | Plantation PD Records Unit | 5 to 10 business days |
| Full State Background Check | $24 per check | FDLE online or by mail | 10 to 14 business days |
| Jail Booking Record | Varies by request | Broward County Sheriff’s Office | 3 to 7 business days |
How to Request Plantation City Police Records
You can request police records in four ways: in person, by mail, by email, or through the online portal. The way you choose depends on how fast you need the record and what kind of record you want. All four methods ask for the same key details.
In-Person Requests at Headquarters
You can walk into the police headquarters at 400 NW 73rd Avenue and ask for a record at the front desk or the Records Unit window. Bring a photo ID and any case numbers you have. Staff will help you fill out the request form. In-person requests are often the fastest way to get a single report, since staff can pull it up right away. You can pay the copying fee in cash, by check, or by card at most counters.
Email and Mail Requests
For mail requests, send a written request to the Records Unit at the headquarters address. Include the report date, names, location, and report number if you know it. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check for the copying fee. Email requests work the same way. Send your details to the department’s records email address, and staff will reply with a cost estimate and payment steps. Email is a good choice for simple report requests that are not time-sensitive.
Online Portal and Search by Case Number
Plantation police offer an online portal where you can search for some reports. The portal lets you look up records by case number, date range, or name. You create an account, type in your search terms, and view or download the report. Some reports are free to view online, and others have a small download fee. The portal is the best choice if you only need to look up a report and do not need a certified copy.
Phone Requests to the Records Unit
You can call the Records Unit at 954-797-2100 to ask about a report. Staff can tell you if a report exists, what the fee is, and how to get a copy. They cannot read the full report over the phone for privacy reasons. A phone call is a good first step to check the status of an old request or confirm a report is ready before you go pick it up.
Florida Public Records Law and Your Rights
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says that any record made or kept by a public agency in the course of its duties is open to the public, unless a law says it must stay closed. This includes police records kept by the Plantation Police Department.
Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes
Chapter 119 is the main law that gives you the right to see and copy government records. Section 119.07 sets the rules for how agencies handle requests. Under this section, the Plantation Police Department must respond to your request in a reasonable time. They must give you the record, tell you which part is exempt and why, or tell you when the record will be ready. They cannot ignore your request or charge an extra fee beyond what the law allows.
Records That Stay Confidential
Some police records are exempt from public view. Active criminal investigations stay closed to protect the case. Juvenile criminal records have extra privacy rules. Records that name a victim of a sex crime, domestic violence, or child abuse are redacted. Personal data like Social Security numbers, medical details, and home addresses of certain victims are removed before a record is released. You can ask for a record and still get a redacted copy that protects private parts.
What Happens When a Request Is Denied
If the department says no to your request, they must tell you why in writing. The reason has to point to a specific law that allows them to keep the record closed. If you think the denial is wrong, you can challenge it. You can write to the department head, ask for a review, or file a case in court. Court cases over public records are common in Florida, and judges often side with the person asking for the record.
Fees, Processing Times, and Required Details
Knowing the fees and timing helps you plan your request. Most simple reports cost very little, but large or old requests can take more time and money. The more details you give in your first request, the faster the staff can help you.
Standard Copying Fees in Florida
Florida law sets a maximum charge of 15 cents per page for regular paper copies. Certified copies cost more. If staff must spend a long time searching for a record or redacting exempt sections, they can charge for that labor at a set hourly rate. A single report usually costs less than $20. Crash reports bought from the state portal cost $10 each. Background checks through FDLE have their own separate fees.
When Records Become Available
Most routine incident reports are ready three to five business days after the incident. Officers need time to finish writing and approve the report. After that, the Records Unit files and reviews it. Older reports, archived records, and reports that need a lot of redaction can take weeks. Crash reports go online at the state portal much faster, often within a day or two of the crash.
Details That Speed Up Your Request
Always include as much of the following as you can in your request:
- The exact date of the incident, or a date range
- The location, such as a street address or intersection
- Full names of people involved
- The case or report number, if you have it
- Your contact details so staff can reach you
Missing details slow the search and may lead to delays. If you do not know a case number, staff can often look it up by date and name.
Related Agencies and Where to Go Next
Some records you need may not be at the Plantation Police Department. Other agencies hold related records, and knowing which one to call saves time. Here are the most common ones.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
FDLE keeps the statewide criminal history database. For a full Florida background check that covers arrests across the state, FDLE is the right place. You can request your own record online at fdle.state.fl.us or by mail. The fee is $24 for a state-level check. You can also call the Criminal History Records Unit at (850) 410-8161. Personal checks usually take about two weeks.
Broward County Sheriff’s Office and Clerk of Court
Broward County Sheriff’s Office runs the county jail and helps local police when needed. If your request involves jail booking photos, inmate records, or arrests that BSO handled, contact BSO directly. Court case records, including the outcome of criminal charges, are kept by the Broward County Clerk of Court. You can search court records online through the clerk’s website.
Florida Highway Patrol Crash Reports
If your crash happened on a state highway, interstate, or turnpike near Plantation, the Florida Highway Patrol may have investigated it instead of local police. You can get those reports at the FLHSMV portal at flhsmv.gov. The same $10 fee and search rules apply. The portal covers both Plantation Police crash reports and FHP crash reports, making it a one-stop shop for traffic reports in the area.
Contact the Plantation Police Records Unit
For all in-person, phone, mail, and email requests, use the contact details below. The Records Unit is the right office for any document created by the Plantation Police Department. The building is open during regular business hours on weekdays.
Plantation Police Department
400 NW 73rd Avenue
Plantation, FL 33317
Phone: 954-797-2100
Records Unit Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Official website: www.plantation.org
Common Questions About Plantation Police Records
Below are the questions people ask most often about police records in Plantation. Each answer gives you the direct steps, costs, and contacts you need to move forward with a request. If your question is not listed, call the Records Unit at 954-797-2100 for help during business hours.
How long does it take to get a police report in Plantation?
Most incident reports are ready three to five business days after the event. Officers need time to finish writing the report, get it approved by a supervisor, and file it with the Records Unit. After that, staff review the report and check for any exempt material that must be redacted before release. Crash reports go online at the FLHSMV portal within a day or two because the state system processes them quickly. Older reports, archived records, and requests that need a lot of redaction can take two to four weeks or longer. You can call the Records Unit at 954-797-2100 to check the status of a request you already submitted. If your case number is ready and the report has no exempt sections, you can often pick up a copy the same day you ask for it in person.
Can I look up police reports online for free?
Some reports are viewable through the city’s online portal at no cost. The portal lets you search by case number, name, or date. For official or certified copies, you must pay the copying fee set under Florida law. Crash reports through the state portal cost $10 each. Background checks through FDLE start at $24. Free online viewing usually only includes short summaries, not the full report with witness statements or diagrams. If you need the full report for legal, insurance, or personal use, plan to pay the copying fee or pick up a printed copy in person at the Records Unit.
What details do I need to request a report?
You need the date of the incident, the location, the full name of at least one person involved, and your contact details. A case or report number makes the search much faster. Without a date or name, the department may not be able to locate the right record, especially if the event was a long time ago. For crash reports, you also need the county (Broward) and at least one driver name. For arrest records, the full name and date of arrest are enough to start a search. The more you can provide on the first try, the fewer back-and-forth messages you will have with the Records Unit.
Are arrest records from Plantation public?
Yes, arrest records are public unless a court has sealed or expunged them. You can ask the Plantation Police Department for the arrest report and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office for the jail booking part. Court records about the case, such as charges, plea deals, and final outcomes, are at the Broward County Clerk of Court. If a record has been sealed, the agency will not release it, even to the person who was arrested, without a court order. You can check the clerk’s online portal to see if a case is open, closed, or sealed before you file a request.
What if my public records request is denied?
The department must give you a written reason for the denial, citing the specific Florida law that allows them to keep the record closed. You can ask the city attorney to review the denial, request a second review from the police chief, or file a case in court. Many denials are reversed on review when the agency cannot point to a clear legal reason. Keep copies of your original request, the denial letter, and any replies. You can also contact the First Amendment Foundation, a nonprofit that helps Florida residents with public records disputes at no cost.
Can I get a copy of someone else’s crash report?
Yes, crash reports are public records in Florida. You can buy a copy through the FLHSMV portal for $10 or request it from the Plantation Police Department. You do not need to be a driver in the crash to get a copy, as long as the report is not part of an active criminal investigation. Insurance companies, lawyers, and other drivers all regularly request crash reports this way. If a crash report is tied to a criminal charge, like a DUI or hit-and-run, some sections may be redacted until the case is closed in court.
How do I seal or expunge a Plantation arrest record?
Sealing or expunging a record is a court process, not a police process. You file a petition with the Broward County Clerk of Court. If the court grants it, the clerk sends a certified order to the Plantation Police Department and FDLE, who then seal the record in their files. You can ask the clerk’s office about eligibility rules and forms. Not every case qualifies for sealing or expungement, and there are waiting periods that apply. Once a record is sealed, it does not show up in most background checks, but some government and law enforcement agencies can still see it.
Topics to Add Later for Topical Authority
The list below shows extra topics you can add to this page later to build stronger topical authority and rank for more related searches. Each item is sorted by priority and ranking impact.
- Plantation crime statistics and yearly reports from the police department
- How to file a complaint against a Plantation police officer
- Plantation police body camera and dashcam footage request rules
- How to request 911 call transcripts and audio from Plantation PD
- Juvenile arrest records in Plantation and the special rules that apply
- How long Plantation police keep records before they are destroyed
- Plantation police recruitment and hiring records under public records law
- How to request use-of-force reports and internal affairs files
- Plantation police K-9 unit records and search reports
- How to get a police clearance letter for immigration or travel
- Plantation warrant search and how to check active warrants
- Rules for getting a redacted vs full copy of the same report