Lexington Police Records and Public Report Requests

Lexington is the second largest city in Kentucky and sits in the heart of the Bluegrass Region. The Lexington Police Department serves this community of over 320,000 residents. They maintain police records for all incidents within city limits. Residents can request incident reports and collision reports through the Open Records Unit. These documents help with insurance claims and legal matters. The process follows Kentucky state law.

Lexington Police Records Department

The Lexington Police Department handles all police records for the city, and their main office sits downtown on East Main Street where they process requests for incident reports and collision reports. The Open Records Unit manages these requests. You can reach them by phone or email. Many residents visit in person. Others prefer to submit requests online.

The department serves a diverse population across urban and suburban areas. The police respond to calls across the city and document each incident. These documents become police records. The public can access most of them. Some records remain confidential. Active investigations stay sealed. Juvenile records have special protections.

Staff at the Open Records Unit work weekdays. They answer questions about requests. They explain what documents you need. They guide you through the process. The unit follows Kentucky law. They respond within five business days. Complex requests may take longer.

The Lexington Police Open Records page offers detailed guidance. It explains the request process step by step. The page lists what records are available. It also covers exemptions. Some records cannot be released. The site helps you understand why.

Note: The Open Records Unit operates Monday through Friday during standard business hours.

How to Request Lexington Police Records

You have several ways to obtain police records in Lexington. Each method works well. Choose what fits your needs. Some people like walking in. Others prefer phone or email. Online options exist too. The department wants to help. They make the process simple.

In-person visits let you speak directly with staff. You can ask questions right away. Bring identification with you. Staff will verify who you are. They need this for record security. You can pay fees on the spot. Copies often come the same day. This works well for urgent needs.

The Submit or Obtain Police Report page offers online options. You can submit certain reports there. You can request copies too. The system guides you through each step. It prompts you for required information. This reduces errors. It speeds up processing time.

Email requests work for many people. Send your request to ORR@lexingtonky.gov. Include specific details. State the date of the incident. Provide the location. Give names if you know them. Describe what happened. The more details you include, the faster staff can locate your records.

Mail requests take longer but work fine. Send your written request to the Open Records Unit. Include your contact information. Add a self-addressed envelope. Staff will process your request. They will contact you about fees. Payment must clear before they send records.

Phone requests start the process quickly. Call the Open Records Unit at (859) 258-3675. Explain what you need. Staff will tell you the next steps. They may ask you to follow up in writing. Some records require formal requests. Staff will guide you on requirements.

Police Records Fees in Lexington

The Lexington Police Department charges fees for copies of police records. These fees follow state law. They remain reasonable. The department does not profit from records. Fees simply cover costs. Paper, toner, and staff time add up. The fee structure is clear.

Hard copies cost ten cents per page. This applies to standard paper records. Most reports run several pages. A typical incident report might be three to five pages. Longer cases have more pages. Staff will tell you the total cost. You can decide how many copies you want.

Digital options exist too. CDs cost one dollar each. These hold many pages. They work well for large files. You get all documents on one disc. This saves paper. It keeps costs down. It makes storage easier.

Collision reports have a separate fee. These cost five dollars each. Accident reports help with insurance claims. They document what happened. They show who was involved. Insurance companies often need these. Drivers need them too.

You can pay in person with cash or check. Credit cards may be accepted. Call ahead to confirm payment options. Mail requests need payment enclosed. Make checks payable to the Lexington Police Department. Include your phone number on the check.

The image shows the exterior of the police building. Visitors enter here for records requests. The location is downtown. Parking is available nearby. The building is accessible. Staff welcome walk-in visitors.

Online Police Reporting in Lexington

Lexington offers online reporting for certain incidents. This helps residents file reports quickly. It saves time. It keeps officers free for emergencies. Not all crimes qualify. The system accepts specific types only.

You can report harassing communications online. This covers threatening calls or messages. You can report fraudulent card use. The amount must be under one thousand dollars. Higher amounts need officer response. Theft under one thousand dollars also qualifies.

Criminal mischief reports work online too. Damage must be under one thousand dollars. Lost property reports are accepted. The value must be under one thousand dollars. Larceny from auto qualifies as well.

The online system is secure. It protects your information. You receive a report number. Save this number. You will need it later. The system sends confirmation. You can print a temporary report.

Online reports receive review. Staff check each submission. They may contact you for more details. Some reports need officer follow-up. You will be notified if this happens. Most routine reports process quickly.

Visit the Submit or Obtain Police Report page to begin. Follow the prompts carefully. Answer all questions. Provide accurate details. This ensures proper documentation.

Fayette County Sheriff Police Records

The Fayette County Sheriff also serves Lexington. This office has different duties. They handle court security. They serve legal papers. They enforce court orders. They maintain their own records. These records differ from city police files.

Sheriff Kathy H. Witt leads the office. The Fayette County Sheriff's Office sits on North Limestone. This is also downtown Lexington. They work closely with city police. Both agencies serve the same community. They coordinate on many matters.

The Sheriff's Office handles evictions. They serve warrants. They transport prisoners. Each action creates records. These records are public. You can request them directly. Contact the Sheriff's Office for access.

The Sheriff's Office has its own procedures. They handle requests separately from city police. Contact them for court-related records. They can help with civil matters. They provide information on property sales.

This image shows another view of police facilities. Lexington takes pride in public safety. The department serves with professionalism. Records are maintained with care. Access is a public right.

Types of Lexington Police Records Available

The Lexington Police Department maintains many record types. Each serves a different purpose. Some are routinely available. Others have restrictions. Understanding what exists helps you request the right documents.

Incident reports document calls for service. Officers write these after responding. They describe what happened. They list people involved. They note actions taken. These reports help with insurance. They support legal cases.

Collision reports cover vehicle accidents. Kentucky law governs these. Not everyone can access them. Parties to the accident qualify. Insurance companies qualify. Attorneys representing parties qualify. The general public does not.

Arrest records show who was taken into custody. These are generally public. They include booking photos. They list charges filed. They show bond amounts. Some arrest records stay sealed.

Note: Collision reports can also be purchased through BuyCrash.com for approximately ten dollars.

Kentucky Open Records Act and Lexington Police Records

Kentucky law governs access to police records. The Open Records Act applies statewide. Lexington follows this law. It covers KRS 61.870 through 61.884. These statutes define public records. They explain your rights. They set rules for agencies.

Under the law, you must be a Kentucky resident. This requirement started in 2021. Out-of-state requesters cannot inspect records. Businesses in Kentucky qualify. News organizations qualify. Individual residents qualify.

Agencies have five business days to respond. This excludes weekends. It excludes holidays. They must notify you of their decision. They can grant the request. They can deny it. They can ask for more time.

The law allows exemptions. Active investigations stay secret. Confidential informants stay protected. Juvenile records have limits. Personnel files stay private.

You can appeal denials. Contact the Attorney General. They review the decision. They issue an opinion. This process is free. It provides oversight.

The Kentucky Attorney General Open Resources Guide offers more help. It explains the law in detail. It answers common questions. It provides sample request forms.

Fayette County Police Records

Lexington sits within Fayette County. The city and county share boundaries. They use a merged government system. This simplifies services. It creates efficiency. Police records stay with the city department. The county sheriff handles separate duties. For more information about county-level resources and related records, visit the Fayette County page.

View Fayette County Police Records