Free Guide to Filing Police Reports Online

Understanding Police Reports and When You Might Need One

A police report is an official written record that documents details about an incident that law enforcement has investigated or responded to. These reports serve multiple purposes across different situations. You might need a police report for insurance claims following a car accident, to document a theft or property damage, as part of a legal case, or to establish a record of harassment or threats. Police reports become part of a permanent public record in most jurisdictions, though some information may be redacted depending on the nature of the incident and local regulations.

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According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, approximately 10 million police reports are filed annually in the United States. Understanding what goes into these reports and how they're structured can help you know what information will be recorded. A standard police report typically includes the date, time, and location of the incident; names and contact information of all parties involved; witness statements; descriptions of what occurred; any injuries or property damage; and the responding officer's observations and conclusions.

Different types of incidents generate different report formats. Motor vehicle accidents produce crash reports, which often include diagrams, damage assessments, and sometimes citations. Theft reports document stolen property details including serial numbers and values. Assault or harassment reports capture statements from all parties and any evidence of injury. Understanding which type of report you need helps you provide the correct information when filing.

Many police departments now offer online reporting for non-emergency incidents, which has changed how citizens interact with law enforcement. Not all incidents can be reported online—typically only property crimes without an identified suspect, certain theft situations, and some harassment cases qualify for online filing. Emergency situations always require calling 911, while online systems serve as an alternative for situations where the incident has already occurred and is not currently happening.

Practical Takeaway: Before attempting to file a report, determine whether your situation is an emergency (requiring 911), an active threat (requiring immediate police response), or a past incident (potentially suitable for online reporting). Knowing your incident type helps you understand what information the police will need to document.

How to Find Your Local Police Department's Online Reporting System

Most police departments in the United States now maintain websites that either provide online reporting directly or link to third-party platforms that handle these filings. The first step is locating your specific police department's web presence. Start by searching "[Your City] police department online report" in any web browser. For example, searching "Denver police online report" or "Austin police non-emergency reporting" will typically direct you to the correct system.

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If you're unsure which jurisdiction's police department handles your area, you can search "[Your City] police department main website." Many departments list their website address in their directory listings, on Google Business profiles, or through your city government's official website. City government websites often have links to police departments under public safety or services sections. County sheriff's offices maintain separate online systems from municipal police departments, so confirm which agency serves your location.

Some areas use centralized regional systems rather than individual department platforms. For instance, many California cities use a unified online reporting portal, while some other states contract with private companies that manage police reports for multiple agencies. When you locate your department's website, look for menu items labeled "Report a Crime," "File a Report Online," "Non-Emergency Reporting," or "Submit a Complaint." These are typically found in prominent locations on the homepage or under a "Services" section.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes that 37 states now offer some form of online accident reporting. If you experienced a motor vehicle accident, check whether your state's police or highway patrol offers this service specifically. Many states provide separate accident reporting portals from their general crime reporting systems. You can also call your local police department's non-emergency line (typically listed on their website) to ask whether online reporting is available for your type of incident.

Practical Takeaway: Create a bookmark or note with your police department's main website and non-emergency phone number for future reference. Having this information readily stored saves time if you need to file a report later. Most departments update their websites regularly with service information.

What Information You'll Need to Have Ready Before Starting

Before beginning an online police report, gather all relevant documentation and details. Having information prepared beforehand prevents the frustration of getting partway through and realizing you're missing crucial details. The specific information needed varies by incident type, but common elements include the date and time the incident occurred, the exact location where it happened, descriptions of all people involved, contact information for any witnesses, photos or videos if available, and documentation of any property damage or loss.

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For theft or property loss, you'll want to document item descriptions, approximate values, serial numbers if known, and any identifying marks. For vehicle accidents, gather insurance information from all parties involved, license plate numbers, vehicle descriptions, and the names of responding officers if applicable. For incidents involving injuries, have medical documentation or photos ready. For harassment or threatening situations, collect text messages, emails, voicemails, or social media messages that document the behavior.

Create a written timeline of events before you start filing. Write down the sequence of what happened in order, including times if you remember them. This helps you provide clear, consistent information in the report. Police reports require accurate details, and having them documented beforehand prevents errors that might need correction later. Note any unusual or specific details you remember—these help officers understand the full context.

Contact information for witnesses is particularly valuable. If anyone saw the incident, record their names, phone numbers, email addresses, and brief descriptions of what they witnessed. Many online systems allow you to add multiple witness statements. If you have photos of damage, theft, or scene conditions, organize these before you begin—most systems allow you to upload multiple images. However, don't use photos or videos taken by others without their permission.

If the incident involved another person or business, gather whatever information you have about them: name, address, phone number, email, license plate if relevant, or business details. If you've already reported the incident to your insurance company, you may have a claim number or police report reference number, which some online systems request. Having all this information compiled prevents delays and ensures your report contains accurate details from the start.

Practical Takeaway: Create a simple list or document with all available information organized by category before you start the online reporting process. This five-minute preparation step often prevents needing to pause and search for details mid-report, making the filing process significantly faster and more accurate.

Step-by-Step Process for Filing Your Online Report

Most police department online reporting systems follow a similar structure, though specific steps vary by jurisdiction. The process typically begins with selecting the type of incident you're reporting from a dropdown menu or list. Options might include theft, burglary, property damage, fraud, harassment, vehicle accident, or lost property. Selecting the correct category ensures your report goes to the appropriate division and receives proper investigation attention.

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After selecting incident type, you'll enter basic information about when and where the incident occurred. The system usually requests the specific address or location description, the date, and the approximate time. Be as precise as possible—"approximately 2:00 PM on March 15" is more useful than "sometime last week." If you don't remember exact times, provide your best estimate. The system may ask whether the incident is ongoing, has been resolved, or is still active in some way.

Next, you'll describe the incident in your own words. Most systems provide a text box for narrative description. Write clearly and chronologically, describing what happened from start to finish. Include specific details: "Two bicycles were taken from the garage, one blue Trek with a broken spoke and one silver Specialized" is more specific than "some bikes were stolen." Describe any people involved, what they wore, their approximate height and build if you remember, and any distinguishing features. If you have multiple details to include, organize them in numbered points for clarity.

You'll then enter information about any people involved: names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. Most systems have fields for the person accused (if known) and for witnesses. Enter only information you can verify—don't guess at details you're unsure about. If you don't know someone's full name but know other identifying information, enter what you do know and leave unknown fields blank.

The system typically requests information about property loss or damage. Enter descriptions, approximate values, and any identifying features. If you're reporting a vehicle accident, you'll enter vehicle information for all involved parties: make, model, year, color, license plate, VIN if known, and insurance details. For other property crimes, photograph any damage or loss if you haven't already and prepare to upload those images.