Search Raleigh Police Records
Raleigh police records are managed by the Raleigh Police Department, which serves the state capital and second largest city in North Carolina. You can search for Raleigh police records online, by phone, or by visiting RPD headquarters at 6716 Six Forks Road. The department keeps incident reports, arrest records, and accident reports for all cases in the city. Raleigh also offers an online crime reporting system that lets residents file certain types of reports from home. Whether you need a copy of a past report or want to check recent crime data, Raleigh has tools to help you find what you need.
Raleigh Police Records Quick Facts
Raleigh Online Crime Reporting
The Raleigh Police Department runs a Citizens Online Police Reporting System. This tool lets you file non-emergency police reports from your computer or phone. Once you submit a report, you can print a temporary copy right away. The department reviews each report before it gets a permanent number. Visit the online reporting system at crc.raleighpd.org to get started.
Not all crimes can be reported online in Raleigh. The system works for property damage, stolen property that is not a vehicle, harassing phone calls, vandalism, and fraud or identity theft. You cannot use online reporting for crimes in progress, stolen firearms, missing persons, domestic violence, violent crimes, or stolen vehicles. For those cases, call the Raleigh Police Department Crime Reporting Center at (919) 996-3335.
Raleigh Police Department Records
RPD headquarters is at 6716 Six Forks Road in Raleigh. The records division handles all requests for copies of police reports, arrest records, and accident reports. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit in person.
The Raleigh Police Department main website at raleighnc.gov/police has links to services, crime prevention tips, and contact information for all divisions.
RPD staff can look up records by name, date, or report number. If you know your case number, have it ready when you call or visit. This speeds up the process and helps staff find your Raleigh police record faster. Phone requests go through (919) 996-3335.
Police Record Types in Raleigh
Raleigh police records fall into several categories. Incident reports cover crimes reported to the department. Accident reports document traffic crashes within city limits. Arrest records show who has been taken into custody by Raleigh officers. Each type has its own rules about what is public and what is restricted under North Carolina law.
The state public records law under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132 makes most police records in Raleigh open to the public. Basic facts about an incident are always available. These include the date, time, location, and nature of the event. The name and age of anyone arrested in Raleigh is also public. Records tied to active investigations may be held back until the case is closed, as allowed by N.C.G.S. 132-1.4. Juvenile records and domestic violence reports have extra protections in Raleigh and across the state.
Wake County Police Records
Raleigh sits in Wake County. The Wake County Sheriff's Office has its own set of police records that cover areas outside Raleigh city limits. Their Police to Citizen portal at p2c.wakeso.net lets you search jail inmates, accident reports, and incident summaries for the whole county.
Court records for criminal cases in Raleigh go through the Wake County courts. The District Court is at 316 Fayetteville St Mall in downtown Raleigh and can be reached at 919-792-4005. The Superior Court shares the same address and handles felony cases. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for anyone who wants to look up case information in person. The NC Judicial Branch website also gives you online access to court records from Wake County.
Request Raleigh Police Records
There are several ways to request police records in Raleigh. In-person visits to RPD headquarters at 6716 Six Forks Road give you the fastest results for most requests. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can pull records and make copies while you wait. Phone requests go through the Crime Reporting Center at (919) 996-3335. You can also submit written requests by mail.
When you submit a request, be specific about what you need. Include the date of the incident, the location, names of people involved, and any report number you have. This helps Raleigh police staff find the right records quickly. Allow three to five business days for processing. Requests that involve many records or need research across departments may take longer.
Raleigh follows the state public records law, which means most records are available at no charge for inspection. Copy fees may apply when you need physical documents. The department will tell you about any costs before they process your request. Electronic delivery is available for some types of Raleigh police records.
Statewide Records in Raleigh
Since Raleigh is the state capital, several state agencies with police records are based here. The NC State Bureau of Investigation offers criminal background checks for $14.00 per person. Their office is at 3320 Garner Road in Raleigh. The NC Department of Adult Correction runs an offender search tool that covers anyone in the state prison system.
The NC DMV handles certified crash reports by mail for a $5.50 fee. This applies to all accident reports statewide, including those from Raleigh. You must request these by mail from the DMV rather than from the Raleigh Police Department directly. The NC sex offender registry at ncsbi.gov lets you search for registered offenders near any address in the Raleigh area.
Note: Fees for Raleigh police records vary by type, so call the Records Division at (919) 996-3335 to confirm current costs before you visit.
Raleigh Police and Community
As the state capital, Raleigh has a police department that serves a diverse and growing population. The city is home to state government workers, university students, and a thriving tech sector. All of these groups interact with the police department, and their cases become part of the Raleigh police records system. The department focuses on community policing and public access to information.
Wake County Records Access
Raleigh is the county seat of Wake County. Criminal cases from Raleigh are processed through the Wake County court system. The county sheriff also maintains records for the broader area. For more details on county-level police records, court records, and public documents in the Raleigh area, visit the Wake County police records page.