Search Massachusetts Police Records
Massachusetts police records are public files held by law enforcement across all 14 counties. You can search for incident reports, arrest logs, crash data, and criminal history checks through online tools and local offices. State law gives every person the right to ask for these files from police departments, sheriff's offices, and state agencies. Some records are free to view in person at a local station. Others need a written request. This guide shows you how to find and get copies of police records in Massachusetts, from free online search tools to formal requests sent by mail or email.
Massachusetts Police Records Overview
Search Massachusetts Police Records Online
There are a few ways to look up Massachusetts police records online. The state runs free databases that cover criminal cases, crash data, and police reports. Most are open to the public. You do not need to give a reason for your search.
The Massachusetts State Police public records portal is one place to start looking for police records.
State Police handle cases on highways and state roads. They also serve towns that lack their own force. You can send a request through the portal and track it online. Give the dates, names, and type of records you need. The response time is up to 10 business days. For court case searches, MassCourts is a free tool that shows criminal charges, case status, and hearing dates for cases across Massachusetts.
The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security also takes police records requests in Massachusetts.
EOPSS oversees many law enforcement groups in the state. Under M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10, every person can ask for public records from any Massachusetts government agency. Police departments must respond within 10 business days. The Public Records Law guide from the Secretary of State explains the full process and your rights under the law.
Criminal History Checks in Massachusetts
The iCORI system lets you run criminal history checks in Massachusetts. It is run by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services in Chelsea. DCJIS keeps the Criminal Offender Record Information database for the whole state. This system tracks adult convictions, pending cases, active warrants, and parole status. You can register at iCORI to check records online.
To check your own record, you can request a personal CORI by mail or online. The fee is $25 for a name-based search. Online results come back fast when there are no matches. Mail requests take up to 14 days. M.G.L. Chapter 6, Sections 167 through 178 sets the rules for how CORI data is kept and shared in Massachusetts.
CORI reports show convictions, not all police contact. Sealed records do not show up. Dismissed cases are left out in most situations. Juvenile records are kept private. Non-criminal traffic stops are also left off the report.
Note: Written consent from the subject is required for all CORI checks except when you request your own personal record.
Massachusetts Crash Reports
Crash reports are among the most requested police records in Massachusetts. If you were in a car crash, you can get a copy of the police report a few ways. The fastest option is BuyCrash.com, an online tool used by many Massachusetts police departments. You need at least two pieces of info to search. The report number, crash date, a name, or plate number will work. Reports cost about $25 each. They are usually ready 5 to 10 business days after the crash.
You can also get crash reports through the RMV Crash Program for $20 each.
The RMV keeps reports for crashes with injury or more than $1,000 in damage. Reports are ready about 4 weeks after the crash through this method. Under M.G.L. Chapter 90, Section 29, drivers must file a crash report within 5 days if the crash meets those limits.
The Crash Program guide on Mass.gov has more details on how the RMV handles crash records in Massachusetts.
You can also pick up a crash report at the local police station. Most departments charge a small fee, often just $1 to $5. Bring your ID and the date and location of the crash.
What Police Records Contain
Massachusetts police records cover many types of files. Incident reports are the most common. Officers file these when they respond to a call or make an arrest. A standard report lists the date, time, and place of the event. It names the officer and all people involved. The narrative part describes what took place in the officer's own words.
The Public Records Law guide explains which Massachusetts police records you can access and which may be held back under one of 18 exemptions listed in M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26).
Police daily logs are also public records in Massachusetts. The 1976 case Bougas v. Chief of Police of Lexington confirmed this right. Logs show the date, time, type of call, and how police handled it. Many departments post these logs on their sites with a short delay. A typical Massachusetts police incident report shows:
- Report number and date filed
- Location and type of call
- Names of all people involved
- Officer's written account of events
- Charges or citations issued
- Case status and any follow-up notes
How to Request Massachusetts Police Records
To get police records in Massachusetts, you send a public records request to the agency that has the file. Each police department and state agency has a Records Access Officer who handles these requests. You can submit by email, mail, or in person. Some agencies have online portals that make it even easier to track your request from start to finish.
The State Police request page shows how to submit a request to the Massachusetts State Police specifically.
You can also use the State Police online portal to submit and track requests. Give a clear description of the records you need. Include dates, locations, names, and report numbers if you have them. The agency has 10 business days to respond under state law. If they need more time, they must tell you in writing and give a new deadline.
Massachusetts also lets you request 911 call recordings as public records.
The State 911 Department handles wireless call recordings. Send your request to 911recordings.RAO@mass.gov with the date, time, and location of the call. For landline 911 calls, contact the local police department instead. The Secretary of State's records request page has sample forms and more details on how to file. Under M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10A, you can appeal to the Supervisor of Records if any agency denies your request or fails to respond on time.
Note: The State 911 Department only keeps wireless call recordings, not landline calls, which are held by local police departments.
Massachusetts Police Records Fees
Fees for police records in Massachusetts follow rules in 950 CMR 32.08. Black and white copies cost $0.05 per page. The first 2 hours of staff search time are free for city and town agencies. State agencies give the first 4 hours free. After the free time, they can charge up to $25 per hour. The agency must use the lowest-paid person who can do the work. If you expect costs to add up, ask for a fee estimate before they start.
In a 2020 ruling, the Supreme Judicial Court said that police incident reports must be released to the public.
The case, Boston Globe Media Partners v. DCJIS, made clear that Massachusetts police reports are not shielded as criminal history data under CORI. This opened up access to records that some departments had tried to hold back. Common fees for Massachusetts police records include:
- Copy of records: $0.05 per page
- CORI criminal history check: $25
- Crash report via BuyCrash: $25
- Crash report via RMV: $20
- Audio on CD: $0.50 to $2.00 per disc
Note: Many departments waive fees for small requests or when records can be sent by email at no cost.
Browse Massachusetts Police Records by County
Each county in Massachusetts has its own court system and sheriff's office that handle police records. Pick a county below to find local contact info and resources for police records in that area.
Police Records in Massachusetts Cities
These are the largest cities in Massachusetts. Each has its own police department that handles records requests. Pick a city to learn how to get police records there.