Request for Police Reports

Electronic Requests:
For your convenience, we have made available a pdf-fillable version of our Application for Public Records form. Download and fill it out. Once completed, save the document to your computer and e-mail it to us at records@cambridgepolice.org. We encourage online submission of record request in order to reduce processing time.

Handwritten Requests:
A printable version of Application for Public Records form is also available online. Download and fill out.  Send the completed form, with a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

Cambridge Police Department
Records Unit
125 Sixth St.
Cambridge, MA 02142

In-Person Requests:
If unable to access the form online, you may visit the Cambridge Police Department and make the record request in person at the Records Unit during office hours.

Additional Information:

• Although most records will be released free of charge, a reasonable fee will be assessed for the compilation and production of certain lengthy and time-consuming records.

• Although we strive to complete your record request as expeditiously as possible, please allow up to ten days for your records to become available.

• When specifically mandated by statute or because of investigative or privacy considerations, we may be unable to release the requested records, or the records in question may need to be carefully redacted prior to release.

• For a detailed explanation of the Massachusetts Public Records law, please see “A Guide to the Massachusetts Public Records Law”, prepared by the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.  http://www.sec.state.ma.us/pre/prepdf/guide.pdf

• **RECORDS INVOLVING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, STALKING, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, OR ABUSE OF AN ELDER OR DEPENDENT ADULT**

Massachusetts General Law - Part I, Title VII, Chapter 41, Section 97D provides a statutory exemption to the public records law by limiting the disclosure of records documenting crimes of a sexual nature and those involving abuse. These records can only be released to victims and their representatives and those listed in the statute. Due to the sensitive information included in these reports, Cambridge Police Department protocol requires in-person identification verification prior to releasing these records. Victims or their designated representatives must either submit their request in-person or pick-up their incident report in person at the Cambridge Police, Records Unit at 125 Sixth St., Cambridge, MA 02142. Below is a list of acceptable forms of identification:

• Any current identification including, valid driver's license, MA ID card, or a passport.

• Guardians shall also present a copy of their letters of guardianship.

• Attorneys for the victim, shall present ID and written proof that they are the attorneys for the victim.

• Conservators of the victim shall present ID and a copy of their letters of conservatorship.

• Personal representatives (parent, guardian, adult child or adult sibling) of the victim, if victim is alive and not the subject of a conservatorship, shall present ID and a written authorization, signed by the victim.

• Representatives of a victim who is deceased, shall present a certified copy of the death certificate or other satisfactory evidence of the death of the victim at the time the request is made.

• The Cambridge Police Department, in its sole discretion, will provide a copy of an incident report when the requestor can provide satisfactory evidence of their identity.