Fall River Police Records
Fall River police records include incident reports, arrest logs, crash data, and other files kept by the Fall River Police Department. The city sits in Bristol County and has a long track record of public safety work across its many neighborhoods. You can search for police records by reaching out to the department or by using state and county tools that cover Fall River cases. Knowing where to look and what to ask for makes the process much smoother. This page walks through the main ways to find and get copies of Fall River police records, from online options to in-person visits at the station.
Fall River Overview
Fall River Police Department Records
The Fall River Police Department is the main source for police records in the city. The department handles incident reports, arrest records, and crash reports. You can reach the records unit at the main station. Walk-in requests are taken during normal business hours, and staff can help you find the right form or file.
| Department | Fall River Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 685 Pleasant Street Fall River, MA 02721 |
| Phone | (508) 676-8511 |
| Website | Fall River Police Department |
The department keeps records for all calls, arrests, and incidents that happen in the city. If you need a copy of a report, call ahead to check what they have on file. Some older records may take longer to pull. The staff can tell you if a report is ready or if you need to wait. Bring a valid ID when you visit in person, and be ready to fill out a short request form at the front desk.
Note: Call (508) 676-8511 before visiting to confirm the records unit is open that day.
How to Request Fall River Police Records
Massachusetts law gives the public a right to ask for police records. Under M.G.L. c.66 §10, any person can submit a public records request to a government agency, and that includes police departments. The Fall River Police Department must respond within 10 business days of getting your request. You can send your request by mail, email, or drop it off in person at the station on Pleasant Street.
Your request should include specific details. List the type of record you want. Give names, dates, and case numbers if you have them. The more detail you give, the faster staff can find what you need. Vague requests may cause delays because the department has to search through more files. If the records you ask for are exempt under M.G.L. c.4 §7(26), the department will tell you which exemption applies and why part or all of the record is held back.
Copies cost $0.05 per page for standard black and white prints. The first two hours of staff time to search for records are free. After that, the department can charge $25 per hour as allowed under 950 CMR 32.08. If costs will be high, the department should let you know before doing the work so you can decide how to proceed.
Fall River Incident Reports
Incident reports are the most common type of police record people ask for in Fall River. These reports cover everything from theft and vandalism to car breaks and assaults. Each report has a case number, the date and time of the event, the location, and a summary written by the responding officer. The names of people involved may or may not be included, depending on the nature of the case and any exemptions that apply.
You can get a copy of a Fall River incident report by visiting the police station or sending a written request. If you were the victim of a crime, you can usually get your own report fairly quickly. Reports tied to open investigations may be withheld until the case is closed. The department uses its discretion on a case-by-case basis, and staff will let you know if a report is not yet available for release.
Note: Incident reports for open cases may not be available until the investigation is closed.
Crash Reports in Fall River
Car crash reports are a separate type of police record. If you were in an accident in Fall River, the responding officer files a crash report with the department. You can get a copy from the Fall River Police Department records unit. Crash reports include the date, time, location, vehicles involved, and a description of what happened. They also list any citations that were issued at the scene.
Massachusetts also lets you order crash reports through the BuyCrash online portal. This is a state-run tool that gives you access to crash reports from departments across the state, including Fall River. You search by your name or the report number. There is a small fee for each report you download. The system is available around the clock, so you can get your report without having to visit the station in person.
The Massachusetts Crash Program Guide explains how crash data is collected and shared across the state. Fall River officers follow these same reporting rules.
If your crash report is not on BuyCrash yet, try again in a few days. Reports can take time to upload after the officer files them. You can also call the Fall River Police Department at (508) 676-8511 to ask about your report's status.
Bristol County Police Records Resources
Fall River is part of Bristol County. The Bristol County District Attorney's office has a location right in Fall River at 1 Government Center. The DA handles prosecution of criminal cases and keeps its own set of records related to those cases. If you need records from a case that went through the court system, the DA's office can point you in the right direction.
The Bristol County Sheriff's Office handles custody records for people held in county facilities. If someone was arrested in Fall River and taken to a county jail, the sheriff's office keeps records of their time in custody. You can reach the sheriff's office to ask about booking records, release dates, and related files. Court records for criminal cases that started in Fall River can also be searched through MassCourts, the state's online case lookup tool.
For criminal history checks, the state's Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) runs the CORI system. A personal CORI check costs $25 and shows your own criminal record across the state. This is a state-level tool, not run by Fall River, but it covers arrests and court cases that happened in the city.
Fall River Records and State Law
The Massachusetts Public Records Law controls how police records are handled in Fall River. Every police department in the state must follow the same rules. The law says records are public unless a specific exemption applies. Common exemptions include records tied to ongoing investigations, records that could risk someone's safety, and certain personal information protected by privacy laws.
If the Fall River Police Department denies your request, they must explain why in writing. You can appeal to the Supervisor of Records at the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office. The state has the power to order the department to release records if the denial was not proper. Under M.G.L. c.66 §10A, you can also go to court if you believe records are being wrongly withheld. The court can order release and may award attorney fees if you win.
Note: Appeals to the Supervisor of Records are free and can be filed online through the Secretary of State's website.
Fall River Police Daily Logs
Massachusetts law requires every police department to keep a daily log of all significant activities. This log must be open to the public. It includes the names of people arrested, the charges, and a brief summary of each event. The Fall River Police Department maintains this log and must make it available for inspection during normal business hours.
Daily logs are a fast way to find basic information about recent police activity in Fall River. You do not need to file a formal records request to see the log. Just ask at the front desk of the station on Pleasant Street. The log gives you enough to find out if a report was filed, what type of incident occurred, and who was involved. If you need more detail, you can then request the full report using the steps above.
Bristol County Police Records
Fall River is in Bristol County, and many police records from the city connect to county-level agencies. The Bristol County District Attorney and Sheriff handle prosecution and custody records for Fall River cases. For a full look at county resources, visit the Bristol County police records page.
Nearby Cities
Several other Massachusetts cities near Fall River also have their own police records pages. These cities share some of the same county and state resources.