Ask Officer Michelle – Question #40
Posted by citizen1
Dear Officer Michelle,
I was wondering if under the Public Information Act we could obtain an itemized list of police service calls to our residence? What is the process for getting an itemized list of police service calls to our residence?
Any information you could provide would be helpful.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Informed Citizen
Dear Informed Citizen,
Currently, citizens requesting police calls for service need to send a written request to the Sacramento Police Department Records Division, at 5770 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento, CA, 95822. (You can also drop off your request at the public counter at that address, however requests are not filled on the spot due to the necessary research and review process.) Requests should have ”Public Records Request” in the subject line. They should list the date range and specific address they are inquiring about. They will receive a list of the date, call type, location, and radio call number. There will not be any details of what occurred on the call. In addition, any calls concerning sex crimes and/or domestic violence will not be included as the identities of the victims of such incidents are protected, and providing their addresses may lead to releasing their identities. To get the actual radio call requires a subpoena.
The Police Department is pursuing providing dispatch call information on its website in the form of a database providing the date, time, location of occurrence, and call type. The database could be downloaded to a person’s computer where they could search the data as they need it. There is no specific date as to when the database would be available on the website. Again, any calls regarding domestic violence or sex crimes would be listed, but not attributed to a specific address. Also, we would only be providing information that is currently available through our computerized system which we began to use in May of 2004.
I hope this information is helpful.
Officer Michelle
