How to Search for a Police Report in Texas

Texas' Department of Public Safety maintains a computerized criminal history system.

The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure stipulates that certain police reports and criminal records must be submitted to the statewide database, the Texas Computerized Criminal History System. Specifically, all records pertaining to Class B misdemeanors or more serious crimes must be submitted to the database and be made publicly available. In addition to police reports, the database includes files from District Attorneys and Court clerks. It is accessible online, but public access is limited to portions of the database that have been made publicly available.

Instructions

1. Create a new user account on the Texas Department of Public Safety website to access the CCH. In order to sign up, you will need to provide an email address, mailing address, phone number, and your full name.

2. Log in to the CCH and search by individual. You can also access the Sex Offender portion of the website without creating a user account. Results should include a police report for the individual's arrest, if this information is publicly available.

3. Contact the arresting agency directly if your search yields no results. Although it is unlikely, in certain situations public police reports fail to become included in the database immediately, and the agency may be able to provide you with the report.

References

• Texas Department of Public Safety: Crime Records Service