Tampa city police records include reports, arrest logs, crash reports, and case files kept by the Tampa Police Department. These records show what police officers did, what crimes happened, and who was involved.
Anyone can ask for these records under Florida’s public records law. You do not need to live in Tampa or give a reason for your request. This page explains what records exist, how to get them, what they cost, and who to contact.
Tampa Police Department Overview
The Tampa Police Department, also called TPD, serves the city of Tampa in Hillsborough County, Florida. Tampa is the third largest city in Florida with over 400,000 people. TPD handles police work inside Tampa city limits. The department also writes reports for car crashes, arrests, and calls for service that happen within the city. Records from TPD cover many years of police activity and are kept by the Records Bureau.
Agency Size and Service Area
TPD is one of the largest city police agencies in Florida. The department covers about 175 square miles of land and water. Officers respond to more than one million calls for service each year. The Records Bureau stores millions of documents, including paper files and digital records. Each report gets a case number that makes it easy to track.
Contact Details and Location
The main Tampa Police Department building sits in downtown Tampa. You can visit the lobby during business hours to ask questions or pick up forms. The Records Bureau handles all public record requests. You can also call, email, or send a letter to start your request.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Agency Name | Tampa Police Department |
| Address | 411 North Franklin Street, Tampa, FL 33602 |
| Phone | (813) 276-3200 |
| Website | www.tampa.gov/police |
| Records Bureau Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Main Lobby Hours | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
Types of Tampa Police Records Available
Tampa police records come in many forms. Each type of record covers a different kind of police event. Some reports are free to view. Others cost money to copy. Most records become public after the case is closed. Active cases and some sensitive files stay private until the investigation ends.
Incident and Case Reports
Incident reports describe what police found when they answered a call. These reports include the case number, date, time, and place. They list names of people involved, witnesses, and officers. The report also includes a written story of what happened from the officer’s point of view. You can ask for incident reports for theft, assault, vandalism, fraud, and many other crimes handled by TPD.
Arrest Records and Booking Logs
Arrest records show when Tampa police took someone into custody. These records include the charge, arrest date, and officer name. They also show bond amount and where the person was sent. Tampa police arrests go to the Hillsborough County Jail. The Sheriff’s Office runs the jail and keeps booking photos and logs.
Accident and Crash Reports
Crash reports cover car, truck, motorcycle, and pedestrian crashes. Tampa police write these reports for crashes inside city limits. The report lists drivers, passengers, witnesses, and vehicles. It also shows the road, weather, and what the officer saw. Most crash reports get filed within 10 days of the crash. You can buy a copy from the Florida crash report system or from TPD.
Calls for Service and Activity Logs
Calls for service logs list every call Tampa police answered. These logs show the type of call, location, and time. They do not include full details or names in most cases. Activity logs show police patrol times, traffic stops, and other daily work. You can ask for daily or weekly logs for a set date range.
How to Request Tampa Police Records
You can ask for Tampa police records in four ways: online, in person, by phone, or by mail. Each way works for different kinds of requests. Online is best for crash reports. In person or by mail works for older reports or large requests. Phone calls work for simple questions about what records exist.
Online Records Portal
Tampa offers a public records request system on the city website. You fill out a form with your name, contact details, and a description of the records you need. The form goes to the Records Bureau staff. They search the system and email you a reply. You can also check the status of your request online. Most online requests get a response within 5 to 10 business days.
In-Person Requests
You can visit the Tampa Police Department lobby at 411 North Franklin Street. The front desk can help you fill out a request form. Bring a photo ID and as much detail as you can. Case numbers, dates, and names help staff find the right records. You can pay copy fees by cash, check, or money order at the lobby.
Phone and Email Requests
Call (813) 276-3200 to talk to Records Bureau staff. Have key facts ready, like the case number, date, and names. For email, use the contact form on the Tampa police website. Email works for simple requests that do not need many pages. Large requests should go by mail or in person.
Written Requests by Mail
Send a letter to the Records Bureau at the Tampa Police Department address. Include your name, address, phone number, and a clear description of the records. Add any case numbers, dates, or names that help. Sign the letter and keep a copy for yourself. Mail requests take longer but work for old or large record sets.
Records Request Fees and Payment
Most Tampa police records cost money to copy. The fee depends on the record type and how much work staff must do. Simple reports cost less than large or redacted records. Florida law lets agencies charge for the actual cost of copying and the time spent searching for records.
Copy and Search Fees
Paper copies cost $0.15 per page, one side only. Two-sided copies cost $0.20 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 extra per document. Search time for large requests costs the hourly wage of the lowest paid staff who can do the work. Crash reports bought online through the state system cost $10.00 per report.
Processing and Payment
Most requests take 5 to 10 business days to process. Large requests or ones needing redaction take longer. Staff will give you a cost estimate before they finish the work. You must pay before records get released. Payment options include cash, check, money order, and credit card in some cases.
Florida Public Records Law for Police Reports
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the United States. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes gives everyone the right to see and copy government records. Police records fall under this law. TPD must release records unless a specific state law blocks them.
Your Right to Request Records
You do not need to live in Florida to ask for Tampa police records. You do not need to say why you want them. You do not need to be a lawyer, journalist, or business owner. Anyone can ask. TPD must reply in a reasonable time. If they deny your request, they must name the exact law that blocks release.
Common Exemptions and Redactions
Some information stays private even when the rest of a record gets released. Common exemptions include social security numbers, bank account numbers, and medical records. Active criminal investigation files stay private until the case closes. Juvenile records have extra privacy rules. Photos of victims of certain crimes also stay private.
Related Agencies and Statewide Records
Tampa police records cover only events inside Tampa city limits. For other areas, you need to contact other agencies. Hillsborough County handles unincorporated areas. The State of Florida keeps statewide criminal records through FDLE. Each agency has its own request process.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, or HCSO, covers areas outside Tampa city limits. HCSO also runs the county jail and posts booking photos. You can ask HCSO for reports from unincorporated areas, county parks, and county roads. HCSO also runs the online jail booking search. Visit www.hcso.tampa.fl.us for the full request process and jail search tools.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
FDLE keeps statewide criminal history records. These records show arrests and convictions from all Florida agencies, including Tampa. You can ask FDLE for a criminal background check on yourself or someone else with proper consent. The fee is $24.00 per check. Results come back in 5 to 10 business days. Use the FDLE Public Records Portal at fdle.justfoia.com/publicportal for state-level requests.
Florida Highway Patrol Records
The Florida Highway Patrol, or FHP, handles crashes on state roads and highways. Some Tampa roads are state roads. For those crashes, you need to ask FHP or the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Most FHP crash reports are online at www.flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports. The fee is $10.00 per report.
Tampa Police Records Search Tips
You can save time and money by preparing before you ask for records. The more detail you give, the faster staff can find what you need. Here are simple tips that work for most Tampa police record requests.
Information That Speeds Up Your Request
Always include the case number if you have one. Case numbers are the fastest way to find a specific report. If you do not have a case number, give the exact date, street, and time. Names of people involved also help. The more facts you give, the less search time staff need, which lowers your cost.
How to Get Case Numbers
Case numbers appear on every police report and ticket. They also show up in court records if charges were filed. If you do not know the case number, call the Records Bureau at (813) 276-3200. Staff can look it up if you give them a date and name. Court records for Hillsborough County are online at www.hillsclerk.com.
Request Limits and Large Sets
Tampa can handle large record requests, but they take time. For requests over 100 pages, staff may ask you to narrow the date range. They may also ask for a deposit before they start work. Break big requests into smaller pieces when you can. This helps you get records faster and pay less.
Contact Information and Office Location
For Tampa police records, contact the Records Bureau at the Tampa Police Department. The office sits in downtown Tampa near the Hillsborough River. You can visit during business hours, call during the day, or send a written request by mail or email. The main lobby stays open 24 hours a day for emergencies and basic questions.
Official website: www.tampa.gov/police
Phone: (813) 276-3200
Address: 411 North Franklin Street, Tampa, FL 33602
Records Bureau Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Main Lobby Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Frequently Asked Questions About Tampa Police Records
Many people have questions about Tampa police records. Below are clear answers to the most common questions. These answers cover fees, timelines, what stays private, and how to speed up your request. If you do not see your question here, call the Records Bureau at (813) 276-3200 during business hours.
How long does it take to get a Tampa police report?
Most simple Tampa police records requests take 5 to 10 business days. Crash reports bought online through the state system come back in 3 to 5 days. Large requests, old paper records, or files that need redaction can take 30 days or more. The Records Bureau will tell you the expected time when you submit your request. You can check the status online if you used the public records portal.
Can I get Tampa police records for free?
You can view most Tampa police records for free at the lobby during business hours. You only pay if you want copies. Paper copies cost $0.15 per page. Online crash reports from the state system cost $10.00 each. Some records, like basic arrest logs, are free online. Search time for large requests is also billed at staff hourly rates.
Are juvenile records available to the public?
Most juvenile records stay private under Florida law. Tampa police do not release juvenile arrest reports, photos, or names without a court order. Some basic facts about juvenile arrests may appear in court records. If you need juvenile records for a legal reason, talk to a lawyer about getting a court order first.
What information gets redacted from police reports?
Tampa police remove personal details before releasing records. Common redactions include social security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and medical records. Names of confidential informants stay private. Home addresses of law enforcement officers and judges also get removed. Photos of crime victims in certain cases stay private by state law.
Can I get body camera or dashcam video from Tampa police?
Yes, but body camera and dashcam videos take longer to process. Staff must review each video and redact faces, voices, and private details. The review can take 30 to 60 days. Videos cost more because of the review time. You must describe the event clearly with date, time, location, and officer names if you know them.
What if my request gets denied?
If Tampa police deny your request, they must name the exact Florida law that blocks the release. Common denial reasons include active investigations, juvenile records, and confidential informants. You can ask for a written denial. You can also challenge the denial in court or file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General’s Office.
How do I get a background check for someone in Tampa?
For a Tampa-only background check, ask the Records Bureau for any arrest reports under that person’s name. For a full Florida background check, use FDLE. The FDLE check costs $24.00 and needs fingerprints and a signed consent form. Results come back in 5 to 10 business days. Employers, landlords, and licensing agencies use these checks most often.