This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, protect, and share your personal data when you use our police records search service. Police records contain sensitive public data, and we treat every search query and piece of user data with strict care.
By using our website, you agree to the terms set out below.
What This Privacy Policy Covers
This policy covers all data collected through our website when you search for police records, police reports, incident logs, case files, or related public records. It also covers data collected when you contact our support team, subscribe to updates, or interact with ads on our platform.
Scope of This Policy
This document applies only to data collected through our website. It does not cover data collected by external sites we link to, such as government portals, court databases, or third-party search partners. Each of those sites operates under its own privacy rules, and you should read them before sharing personal data with them.
Public Records and Your Privacy
Police records are public records in most U.S. states, but the way you search for them still creates private data. Your search queries, your IP address, and the names you look up all count as personal data. We separate what you search for from who you are, and we limit how long we store that link.
Information We Collect
We collect two main types of data: data you give us directly and data our systems gather on their own. Both types help us run a smooth, safe, and accurate police records search service.
Personal Data You Provide
When you fill out a contact form, send an email, or create an account, you may share your name, email address, phone number, or mailing address. We use this data only to reply to your request or to manage your account. We never sell this data to outside parties.
Search Queries and Record Lookups
When you run a search for a police report, a case number, or a person’s name, we record the query. This helps us improve search speed, fix errors, and detect fraud. We do not link your search history to your personal identity unless you create an account and log in.
Automatic Data Collection
Our servers log basic technical data every time you load a page. This includes your IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, screen resolution, referring URL, and the date and time of your visit. We use this data to spot bugs, block abuse, and measure traffic.
| Data Type | Source | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| IP Address | Automatic | Security, fraud detection |
| Browser Type | Automatic | Site compatibility |
| Search Query | User input | Record lookup |
| Email Address | User input | Support, account access |
| Referral URL | Automatic | Traffic analysis |
How We Use Cookies and Tracking
Cookies are small text files that your browser stores on your device. We use them to remember your settings, keep you logged in, and measure how the site performs. Cookies also help us show ads that match your interests.
Types of Cookies We Use
We use four kinds of cookies on our site. First-party cookies keep the site running and remember your search filters. Third-party cookies come from our analytics and ad partners and track behavior across the web. Session cookies expire when you close your browser. Persistent cookies stay on your device until you delete them or they expire.
Managing Cookie Preferences
You can block or delete cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers let you reject all cookies, accept only first-party cookies, or clear cookies on a schedule. Blocking cookies may break parts of the site, such as saved searches or login sessions.
How We Use Your Information
We use the data we collect for clear, limited purposes. We do not use your data for unrelated reasons without your consent. Below are the main ways we put your data to work.
Service Operation
We use your data to run our police records search tools, deliver results, process your requests, and keep the site secure. This includes routing your query to our search partners, formatting results, and showing you the right records based on your search terms.
Improving Our Search Tools
We study search patterns, click behavior, and error rates to make our tools faster and more accurate. If many users search for the same case number and get no results, we know to add new data sources. This work uses aggregated, non-personal data wherever possible.
Legal Compliance
We use and share data when the law requires it. This includes court orders, subpoenas, valid legal process, and federal or state laws such as the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). We also share data to protect our rights, your safety, and the public interest.
Sharing Your Data With Third Parties
We do not sell your personal data. We do, however, share data with partners who help us run the site. Each partner must sign a data protection agreement and follow strict security rules.
Search Partners and Data Providers
To pull up police reports, arrest logs, and incident records, we send your search query to third-party data providers. These partners return matching records to us. The query is not stored long-term by most partners, and it is not linked to your name unless you log in.
Advertising Networks
We work with ad networks such as Google AdSense to show ads on our site. These networks may use cookies, web beacons, and similar tools to track your activity across the web. You can opt out through the Digital Advertising Alliance or the Network Advertising Initiative.
Legal Disclosures
We share data with law enforcement, courts, and government agencies when we receive a valid legal request. We also share data to investigate fraud, protect against harm, and enforce our terms. We push back on requests we believe are too broad or unlawful.
Police Records Confidentiality Rules
Even though police records are public, many states limit who can view them. Certain records are sealed, expunged, or restricted to victims and their families. We follow each state’s rules and remove restricted records from our results when required.
Sealed and Expunged Records
We do not display sealed or expunged records in our search results. If a record is later sealed, we remove it from our index during our next update. If you find a sealed record in our results, contact us right away and we will remove it.
Juvenile Records
Juvenile records are confidential in nearly every state. We do not collect, index, or display juvenile police records. If juvenile data appears in our results due to a data error, we remove it once we verify the case status.
Victim Information
We take steps to protect the identity of victims, especially in cases involving sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. We redact victim names from our results when state law requires it, and we honor removal requests from victims or their legal representatives.
Data Security Measures
We use industry-standard security tools to protect your data. This includes SSL/TLS encryption, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and access controls. Only trained staff with a clear work need can access personal data, and all access is logged and reviewed.
No system is perfect. If a data breach occurs, we will notify affected users and the proper authorities as required by state law. We will post a notice on our homepage and email users whose data was involved.
Your Privacy Rights
You have rights over the personal data we hold about you. The exact rights depend on where you live, but most U.S. states give users the right to access, correct, and delete their data.
Access and Correction Rights
You can ask what personal data we have about you. We will send you a copy within 45 days. If the data is wrong, you can ask us to fix it. Send your request to our privacy email with proof of identity so we can confirm you are the data subject.
Deletion Requests
You can ask us to delete your personal data. We will remove it from our active systems within 30 days. Some data may stay in backups for a short time, and some data we must keep for legal reasons, such as tax or fraud records.
State-Specific Rights
Users in California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, and other states with privacy laws have extra rights. These include the right to opt out of data sales, the right to limit sensitive data use, and the right to non-discrimination for exercising your rights.
| State | Key Right | How to Exercise |
|---|---|---|
| California (CCPA/CPRA) | Opt out of data sales | Email or web form |
| Virginia (VCDPA) | Access and delete data | Privacy request form |
| Colorado (CPA) | Correct inaccurate data | Privacy request form |
| Connecticut (CTDPA) | Opt out of profiling | Email or web form |
Data Retention Policies
We keep personal data only as long as we need it for the reasons listed in this policy. Search queries are kept for 90 days for security and analytics. Account data is kept until you delete your account. Support emails are kept for 2 years. Legal records are kept as long as the law requires.
Children’s Privacy
Our site is not meant for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect data from children. If we learn we have collected data from a child, we delete it as soon as we can. Parents who believe their child shared data with us should contact our privacy team.
Third-Party Links
Our site links to outside websites, including government portals, court systems, and ad networks. We do not control these sites, and this policy does not cover them. Read the privacy terms of each site before you share personal data with them.
International Users
Our site is based in the United States. If you visit from another country, your data will be transferred to and processed in the U.S. By using our site, you agree to this transfer. We apply the same strong data protection rules no matter where our users live.
Policy Updates
We update this policy from time to time. When we do, we post the new version on this page and update the date at the top. Major changes will be announced on our homepage and, when required by law, by email. Please check this page often to stay up to date.
Contact Information
For questions about this Privacy Policy or to exercise your privacy rights, contact us at:
- Email: privacy@policerecordslookup.com
- Phone: 1-888-555-0199
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (EST)
- Mailing Address: 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
- Website: https://policerecordslookup.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to the most common questions users ask about our police records privacy policy. These answers cover public records, data sharing, deletion, and state laws. Each answer is written in plain language so you can act on it right away.
Does searching for police records violate anyone’s privacy?
Police records are public records under most state laws, including FOIA at the federal level. Looking up a police report, incident log, or arrest record is legal for most people for most purposes. Our service only returns records that are open to the public. We do not return sealed, expunged, or juvenile records. You should not use the data to stalk, harass, discriminate, or commit identity theft. We block users who break our terms.
Can I see what personal data you have about me?
Yes. Send a privacy request to our email with proof of your identity, such as a copy of your ID. We will reply within 45 days with a list of the personal data we hold. You can also ask us to correct wrong data or delete your data. We may keep some data for legal reasons, such as fraud prevention or tax records, but we will explain why.
Do you share my search history with the police?
We share data with law enforcement only when we receive a valid subpoena, court order, or other legal process. We do not share data on a volunteer basis. We push back on requests that are too broad or lack proper legal basis. If you are the subject of a search, we will notify you before sharing your data, unless a court orders us not to.
How long do you keep my search data?
We keep raw search logs for 90 days for security and debugging. After 90 days, we strip IP addresses and user IDs and keep only the search terms and result counts for analytics. Account data is kept until you close your account. Support emails are kept for 2 years. We keep records required by law for the time the law requires.
Can I opt out of data sales under the CCPA?
Yes. California residents can opt out of the sale of their personal data. We do not sell data in the traditional sense, but some ad networks we work with may count data sharing as a sale under the CCPA. You can opt out by emailing us or using the Do Not Sell My Info link on our homepage. We will process your request within 15 business days.
What happens if a record is sealed after I find it?
If a record is sealed or expunged, we remove it from our results during our next data refresh. Most refreshes happen every 30 days. If you find a sealed record in our results, email us the case number and we will remove it within 48 hours. We will also remove it from our partner’s index.
Are police records the same as criminal records?
No. Police records cover incidents, calls, arrests, and reports made by police. Criminal records cover convictions, sentences, and court outcomes. Our service focuses on police records. For criminal records, you can request a state criminal background check through your state police or the FBI. Each type of record has its own access rules and fees.