Find Durham Police Records
Durham police records are available through the Durham Police Department and Durham County agencies. The city provides multiple ways to search for police records, including an online data portal, a Police to Citizen system, and the LexisNexis Community Crime Map. Durham stands out for the depth of its crime data, with record-level information going back to 2006. Whether you need an incident report, arrest data, or crime statistics for a specific part of Durham, the tools are in place to help you find the records you are looking for.
Durham Police Records Quick Facts
Durham Police Data Portal
The Durham Police Department runs a data portal with detailed crime information. You can find it at durhamnc.gov. The portal has record-level crime data, not just summaries. This means you can see individual incidents, arrests, and calls for service. The data goes back to 2006 and is updated each year.
You can also search for specific cases using an Incident Report number. The P2C system lets you file new police reports, print reports you already have, and download records. This is a fast way to get Durham police records without visiting an office.
Durham Crime Statistics
Durham publishes crime statistics at durhamnc.gov/719/Crime-Statistics. These reports cover crime incidents, arrests, and calls for service across the city. The data is updated weekly for most report types. The department also puts out a homicide tracking report each quarter and tracks traffic stop data.
The LexisNexis Community Crime Map gives another view of crime in Durham. It shows aggregate stats for specific locations and lets you zoom in on neighborhoods. This tool works alongside the DPD data portal to give a full picture of police activity in Durham.
Durham County Police Records
Durham County has its own public records request system through the Next Request portal. Visit dconc.gov to search past requests or submit a new one. You will get an email when the county receives your request.
The Durham County Sheriff's Office is at 510 South Dillard Street on the first floor of the courthouse. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Call 919-560-0899 for records help. The sheriff handles incident reports, property reports, vehicle reports, missing person reports, citations, and warning tickets. Gun permits, sex offender registrations, and fingerprinting are also done through the sheriff's office in Durham.
Durham Police Records Fees
Durham County Sheriff's Office charges different fees depending on the record type and how you pay. Cash prices differ from credit card prices at the Durham office.
- Report copies: $3.00 cash or $6.09 credit card
- Fingerprints: $15.00 cash or $18.45 credit card
- Pistol permit: $5.00 cash
- Concealed carry permit: $90.00 cash or $95.70 credit card
Criminal history checks through the Durham sheriff cost $10.00 in cash or $13.30 by credit card. These are for attorney requests only. For public background checks in Durham, go to the Clerk of Court or the NC SBI, which charges $14.00 per search.
Note: CrimeStoppers in Durham accepts anonymous tips at 919-683-1200 for anyone with information about unsolved cases.
Durham Police Record Types
The Durham Police Department keeps several categories of police records. Incident reports document all crimes and events. Arrest records track who was taken into custody. Traffic accident reports cover crashes within city limits. Calls for service data shows every request for police response. Durham also tracks traffic stop data, marijuana arrest data, and staffing levels.
Under North Carolina law, most Durham police records are open to the public. The state public records law in N.C.G.S. Chapter 132 makes basic facts about any incident available. The name, age, and address of an arrested person are public once the arrest happens. Records of active investigations may be held back under N.C.G.S. 132-1.4. Juvenile records and domestic violence reports have extra protections in Durham and across the state. Intelligence information and 911 database records are also restricted from public access.
The level of detail available in Durham police records sets the city apart. Weekly updated crime reports, quarterly homicide tracking, and record-level data going back to 2006 give the public more access to police information than most cities in North Carolina provide.
Request Durham Police Records
The City of Durham has a public records request page at durhamnc.gov. You can request police reports, building records, housing code violations, and other city documents through this system. Durham follows the state public records law under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, which gives the public a right to inspect and copy most government records.
The Durham Police Department also publishes staffing reports and marijuana arrest data. The Civilian Police Review Board issues its own reports and recommendations. Cold case information is available on the DPD website, and the public can submit tips on unsolved cases in Durham.
Search Tips for Durham Records
When searching for Durham police records, start with the online data portal for general research and the P2C system for specific reports. If you know the Incident Report number, you can pull up a case directly. For records not available online, contact the city public records request page or the Durham County Next Request portal depending on whether the record is from the city or the county.
Be specific in your requests. Include dates, names, locations, and case numbers if you have them. Allow a few business days for processing. The Durham County Sheriff's Office at 510 South Dillard Street handles records for county-level law enforcement. Call 919-560-0899 if your incident happened outside Durham city limits. The department is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
In-person visits to the Durham County Sheriff's Office or the city public records office often produce the fastest results. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Staff can search by name, date, or report number. For complex requests that involve records from multiple agencies, expect extra processing time. Durham has more data available online than many cities in North Carolina, so check the data portal and P2C system first before submitting a formal request.
Durham County Records
Durham is both a city and the county seat of Durham County. All criminal cases from the city go through the Durham County court system. For county-level police records, court records, and other public documents, visit the Durham County police records page.