Tamarac City Police Records cover every report, arrest log, and crash document filed by police officers in Tamarac, Florida. These records are open to the public under Florida state law.
Residents, lawyers, journalists, and private citizens can all ask the Tamarac Police Department for a copy of a report. This page covers how to file a request, which records are open, which records are sealed, what fees apply, and who to call for each type of record. The City of Tamarac sits inside Broward County, so some records are held by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office instead of the city police.
Tamarac City Police Department Basics
The Tamarac Police Department serves the city of Tamarac, which sits inside Broward County in southeast Florida. Officers answer calls, write reports, run investigations, and file charges for crimes that happen inside the city. The department works under the same public records law that covers every other Florida agency. That means most reports, once filed, are open to anyone who asks for them.
City of Tamarac Address and Phone
The City of Tamarac is based at 7525 NW 88th Avenue, Tamarac, FL 33321. The main city phone number is (954) 597-3500. You can call this number to ask about a police report, ask which office handles records, or set up an in-person visit. The city phone line is open during normal business hours, and staff can tell you the right next step for your request. The main website is tamarac.gov, where you can also find links to city departments and contact forms.
Visiting the City Offices in Person
You can also visit the city offices on NW 88th Avenue to make a request in person. Bring a photo ID with your current address. Tell the front desk staff the date of the incident, the street address, and the names of the people involved. If you already have a case number or report number, write it down or save it on your phone so the clerk can pull the file faster. In-person visits are good when you want to see the record before paying for copies.
Florida Public Records Law Explained
Florida’s public records law is one of the strongest in the United States. The law says that any record made or kept by a government agency belongs to the people. Police departments, city halls, and sheriff’s offices must release those records when someone asks. The only exceptions are records that a specific statute says must stay private. The state constitution also supports this open access rule through Article I, Section 24.
Chapter 119 Florida Statutes
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes is the main law covering public records. The full text sits at leg.state.fl.us. Chapter 119 sets the rule that government records are open by default. It also lists the records that are exempt. When an agency denies a request, the denial letter must point to a specific exemption in Chapter 119 or another statute. If no exemption applies, the agency must release the record.
Records Open to the Public
Most police records in Tamarac are open to the public. This includes incident reports, arrest reports, calls for service, traffic crash reports, and booking photos. Booking photos and jail logs from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office are also open. You can ask for these records at any time, even years after the case was closed. Body camera footage is open too, but it must be reviewed and redacted before release.
Records Kept Private
Some records are not open to the public. Active criminal investigations can be kept private until the case is closed. The names of confidential informants, undercover officers, and certain victims are redacted. Names of sexual assault victims and domestic violence victims are also redacted. Juvenile records are sealed under Florida law and are not open to the public in most cases. Personal details like Social Security numbers, medical records, and home addresses of certain protected people are also redacted before release.
Types of Police Records You Can Request
Several kinds of police records are open to the public in Tamarac. Each one covers a different type of event. Knowing which type you need helps the agency find the right file and gives you a faster answer. The most common types are these.
Incident Reports
An incident report is written by an officer who responds to a call. It covers crimes, traffic accidents, disturbances, and other events. The report has a case number, the date and time, the address, the names of the people involved, and a written story of what happened. You can ask for a copy if you were part of the incident, if you are a witness, or if your work or legal matter requires the file. The agency may charge a small fee for the copy. Some agencies also include diagrams, photos, and officer notes in the full report file.
Arrest Reports
An arrest report shows when someone was taken into custody by the Tamarac Police Department. It lists the charges, the time of the arrest, the location, and the officer’s name. If the person was booked into jail, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office has the booking record. Many arrest records are searchable online through the sheriff’s inmate lookup at sheriff.org. Older arrest reports can be requested through a public records request to the agency that made the arrest.
Traffic Crash Reports
A traffic crash report is filed when a car crash causes injury, death, or property damage over a set amount. These reports are sent to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. You can buy a copy through the state portal at flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports. The state portal takes credit card payment and gives you a copy right away. This is faster than asking the local police for the same report in most cases.
911 Call Logs and Audio
911 call logs and audio recordings can be requested under Florida law. Call logs show the time of the call, the location, and the nature of the emergency. Audio recordings are open, but the agency must review them and remove any protected details before release. Reviews of audio tapes can take extra time, and the agency may charge for the time it takes to review and redact the recording. Long audio files with many speakers often take longer to process than short, simple calls.
Body Camera and Dash Camera Footage
Body camera and dash camera footage are open under Florida law. The agency must review the footage and redact protected details such as faces of minors, names of sexual assault victims, and active investigation details. Body camera requests often take longer than other records and may have higher fees because of the review work. Active investigations can also delay release until the case is closed. Common redactions include faces, license plates of uninvolved people, and personal phone numbers.
How to Submit a Police Records Request
You have several ways to submit a police records request in Tamarac. The right choice depends on the type of record and how fast you need it. All three choices work, but some are faster for certain types of records. Pick the one that fits your timeline and the kind of record you need.
Request by Mail
You can send a written request by mail to the City of Tamarac. Address your letter to the City Clerk’s office at 7525 NW 88th Avenue, Tamarac, FL 33321. Include the date of the incident, the address, the names of the people involved, and the type of report you need. Add your daytime phone number and your email address so staff can reach you with questions. Mail requests are good when you do not need the record right away and want a paper trail of your request.
Request in Person
You can visit the city offices on NW 88th Avenue and ask for the records at the front desk. Bring a photo ID with your current address. Write down all the details of the incident before you go. In-person requests are good for cases where you want to look at the records before paying for copies. Staff can show you the file and tell you the cost before you pay. You can also pay your fee in cash, by check, or by credit card at the city offices.
Request by Phone or Email
You can call the city at (954) 597-3500 or email the city offices to ask about a police record. Give the staff the same details you would put in a written request. The city will tell you if the record is open, what the fee is, and how to pay. Phone and email requests are good for simple questions and small requests. For large requests with many pages, a written request by mail or email is a better choice.
Using the FDLE JustFOIA Portal
For records held by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, use the JustFOIA public portal at fdle.justfoia.com/publicportal. The portal lets you file a request, track its status, and download the records when they are ready. This portal is for FDLE records only. It does not give you Tamarac police reports. For Tamarac police reports, contact the City of Tamarac or the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. The portal is a useful tool for statewide criminal history checks and FDLE case files.
What to Include in Your Request
Your request should have enough detail for the agency to find the right file. A short, clear request saves time for both you and the staff. The most helpful details are these.
Include these items in every request letter or email:
- The date of the incident, or a range of dates if you do not know the exact day
- The street address where the incident happened
- The full names of the people involved, including the officer if you know it
- The type of record you need, such as incident report, arrest report, or crash report
- The case or report number if you have one
- Your name, address, phone number, and email address
- Your preferred delivery method, such as email, mail, or in-person pickup
The more details you give, the faster the staff can find the record. If your request is too broad, the agency may ask you to narrow it down before they start the search. Keep a copy of your request for your records.
Fees and Payment for Records
Florida law lets agencies charge fees to cover the cost of making copies and doing research. The fee depends on the type of record and how much work the staff has to do. Some fees are set by state law and cannot be changed. Ask for a cost estimate before the work starts so you know what to expect. The agency must give you a written estimate of the cost before charging you.
Copying Fees
Simple copies of a short report cost a few dollars. Most agencies charge per page for paper copies. The City of Tamarac will tell you the exact fee when you file your request. Some agencies waive the fee for victims of the crime or for people who need the record for a court case. Ask about fee waivers when you file your request. The agency may also waive the fee for indigent requesters who file an affidavit of inability to pay.
Research and Redaction Fees
If your request needs a lot of research or has many pages, the agency can charge for staff time. The law lets them charge the actual cost of the time it takes to find and prepare the records. If protected information must be redacted, that time can also be added to the fee. The agency must give you a written estimate before the work starts. You can ask the agency to cap the research time so you do not face a surprise bill.
Crash Report Fees
Crash reports bought through the Florida Highway Safety portal at flhsmv.gov have a flat fee set by the state. The portal takes credit cards and gives you the report right after payment. This is faster than asking the local police for the same report in most cases. The state fee is set each year and posted on the portal before you pay. You can also buy a crash report at a local tax collector office for the same state fee.
How Long Requests Take
Most simple requests are answered within 5 to 10 business days. Requests that need research, redaction, or legal review can take longer. Florida law does not set a strict deadline, but agencies must answer in a reasonable time. If your request is delayed, follow up with a phone call to (954) 597-3500 or send a second written request. Keep a copy of every request and every response for your records. If the agency still does not answer, you can file a lawsuit to compel release under Chapter 119.
What Happens After You File a Request
Once you file a request, the city clerk or records office reviews it. They check the details, search for the record, and decide if the record is open or if an exemption applies. If the record is open, they send you a cost estimate. After you pay, they make the copies and send them to you. If the record is sealed, they send you a written denial that cites the exemption. Some requests need supervisor review or legal review before a final answer, which can add days to the timeline.
Background Checks Through FDLE
For a statewide criminal history check, contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. FDLE keeps criminal records from all Florida agencies, including the Tamarac Police Department and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. A background check costs $24 and needs fingerprints plus a signed request form. Processing takes 5 to 10 business days. The main FDLE phone number is (850) 410-7000, and the criminal history line is (850) 410-8161. You can file the request by mail or through an approved Livescan vendor.
Broward County Sheriff Records
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office handles policing in unincorporated parts of Broward County and runs the county jail. If an incident happened outside Tamarac city limits, the sheriff may have the report. The sheriff also books every person arrested in the county, including those arrested by Tamarac police. You can search the sheriff’s website at sheriff.org for current inmates and recent arrest logs. The sheriff also takes public records requests for police reports, jail records, and other police documents. Sheriff records use a different records system than the City of Tamarac, so request them separately.
Sealed and Expunged Records
Some arrest records can be sealed or expunged under Florida law. Sealing means the record is hidden from most public searches. Expungement means the record is destroyed in most cases. You must file a petition with the Broward County Clerk of Courts to start this procedure. You will need a certificate of eligibility from FDLE before the court can hear your case. The police department cannot seal a record for you. Only a judge can order a record sealed or expunged after the proper petition is filed.
Tamarac City Police Records Contact
Use the contact details below to reach the right office for your records request.
Address: 7525 NW 88th Avenue, Tamarac, FL 33321
Phone: (954) 597-3500
Website: tamarac.gov
You can also reach the Broward County Sheriff’s Office at sheriff.org and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at fdle.state.fl.us. The FDLE public records portal is at fdle.justfoia.com/publicportal. Florida traffic crash reports are at flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports. The Florida public records statute (Chapter 119) is at leg.state.fl.us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions about Tamarac City Police Records. These cover who can ask, what is open, how long it takes, and what to do if a request is denied. Each answer gives a clear, direct response based on Florida law. Use these answers to plan your request before you contact the city or the sheriff’s office.
Who can ask for Tamarac police records?
Any member of the public can ask for Tamarac police records under Florida law. You do not have to be a lawyer, a journalist, or a US citizen to file a request. You do need to give enough detail for the agency to find the record, such as the date, location, and names of the people involved. Some records may be limited to certain people, like victims of violent crimes, witnesses, or the families of those involved, but most police reports are open to anyone who asks. The agency will still need to verify that an exemption does not apply before release. Juvenile records are sealed under Florida law and are not open to the public in most cases. Active criminal intelligence records, confidential informant details, and undercover officer identities are also kept private. The City of Tamarac does not require a Florida ID or proof of citizenship. Out-of-state residents and foreign nationals can file the same way as Florida residents. You can file by mail, in person, by phone, or by email, depending on what the agency accepts. If the agency denies the request, they must cite the specific exemption in Florida law that applies.
How long does a police records request take?
Most simple requests are processed in 5 to 10 business days. Requests with many pages, redactions, or legal review can take longer. There is no fixed deadline under Florida law, but agencies must answer in a reasonable time. A reasonable time is judged by the size and scope of the request, the staff workload, and the need for legal review. If your request is delayed, send a follow-up or call the city offices at (954) 597-3500. Keep copies of every request and every response for your records. If the agency still does not answer after a reasonable time, you can file a lawsuit to compel release under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Many courts have ruled that delays beyond 30 days for simple requests are not reasonable. You can also ask for a written status update if your request has been pending for more than two weeks. The agency must respond to a status inquiry within a short time frame.
What if my request is denied?
The agency must give you a written reason for the denial. The reason must cite a specific exemption in Florida law. You can challenge the denial in court if you think the agency is wrong. A lawyer who handles public records cases can help you file the challenge. Many denials are reversed when the requester shows that no exemption applies to the record they want. You can also ask the agency to narrow the request so that only the exempt parts are removed. This is called a partial release and is common in cases where some details are protected but the rest of the record is open. If the agency redacts parts of a record, the redactions must be clearly marked so you can see what was removed. If you believe the agency over-redacted, you can ask for a written explanation of each redaction. Court challenges to public records denials are handled in the circuit court for the county where the agency sits.
Are crash reports free?
No, crash reports have a fee. You can buy a crash report through the Florida Highway Safety portal at flhsmv.gov for a flat fee set by the state. The portal takes credit cards and gives you the report right after payment. This is faster than asking the local police for the same report in most cases. The state fee covers a standard crash report. Additional pages, diagrams, or photos in the same report may have an extra fee. If the crash report is part of an active criminal case, some details may be redacted before release. Crash reports are also available from the Tamarac Police Department, but the state portal is faster and often cheaper. You can also buy a crash report at any Florida tax collector office that offers the service. A list of approved vendors is posted on the state portal.
Can I see body camera footage?
Body camera footage is open under Florida law, but there are limits. The agency must review the footage and redact protected details before release. Requests for body camera footage often take longer than other records and may have higher fees because of the review work. Active investigations can also delay release until the case is closed. Common redactions include faces of minors, names of sexual assault victims, and tactical details. Personal medical information, home addresses of protected people, and Social Security numbers are also redacted. Body camera footage from a use-of-force incident is open, but the review can take extra time because of the seriousness of the case. If the incident led to criminal charges, the footage may be released as part of the court file. The agency may charge an hourly fee for the time it takes to review and redact the footage. The fee must be based on the actual cost of the staff time, not a profit margin.
Are arrest photos open to the public?
Booking photos from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office are open to the public. You can search for current inmates and recent arrest logs on the sheriff’s website at sheriff.org. Old booking photos can be requested through a public records request to the sheriff’s office. Some Florida laws limit the use of booking photos by certain websites, but the records themselves remain open. The sheriff must still follow Chapter 119 when releasing booking photos, so some redactions may apply. Photos of juveniles are not released, and photos of victims are kept private. If the arrest was made by the Tamarac Police Department, the booking photo is still held by the sheriff’s office because the sheriff runs the jail. You should file your request with the sheriff’s records office for booking photos, even if the arrest was made by Tamarac police.
Can I get records sealed or expunged?
You can ask the court to seal or expunge certain arrest records under Florida law. You must meet specific rules set by the state. The police department cannot seal a record for you. You need to file a petition with the Broward County Clerk of Courts and follow the court procedure. You will also need a certificate of eligibility from FDLE before the court can hear your case. The certificate of eligibility shows that you meet the basic requirements for sealing or expungement. Not all cases qualify, and some charges are never eligible for sealing or expungement. The clerk’s office can give you the right forms and tell you the filing fee. You may also need to attend a short court hearing before a judge signs the final order. After the order is signed, the police department and the sheriff must update their records to match the court order.