Birmingham Police Department Records & Services

The Birmingham Police Department provides a range of records and public services to residents of Birmingham, Alabama, including copies of incident and accident reports, background-related documents and other official records. This page explains the types of records available and how to request them.

Types of Records

• Incident reports – documentation of reported crimes and police responses
• Accident/traffic crash reports – records of vehicle collisions investigated by BPD
• Background-related records – documents some employers, agencies or individuals may request
• Custody/booking information – status of people taken into custody

How to Request a Report

Report copies are handled through the department’s records function. Requesters typically need basic details such as the report or case number, the date and location of the incident, and the names of parties involved. There may be a small fee for copies, and some records can take several days to process after an incident is filed. For current request procedures, hours and fees, residents can call police headquarters at 205-254-1700.

What to Bring or Have Ready

Having the right information speeds up any request. For an incident or accident report, the case or report number is the single most useful detail; if it is unknown, the date, approximate time and exact location help staff locate the file. A government-issued photo ID is generally needed when picking up a report in person, and parties involved in a crash (or their insurers) are commonly the ones who request crash reports.

Accident and Crash Reports

Traffic crash reports document collisions investigated by officers and are frequently needed for insurance claims. Because reports must be written, reviewed and entered into the system, it is normal to wait a few business days after the crash before a copy is available. Drivers should confirm timing and fees with the records function rather than assuming a report is ready the same day.

Background Checks

For employment, licensing or personal background needs, individuals should ask the records function which documents the department can provide and which checks must go through state-level resources, such as the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Certain comprehensive criminal-history checks are handled at the state rather than the city level.

Custody and Inmate Records

Questions about a person in custody are handled by BPD Custody Services at 205-254-6369, located at 425 6th Avenue South. Because detainees are often held in Jefferson County facilities, inmate look-ups may also need to go through the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office inmate inquiry system.

Public Records and What Can Be Released

Not every record is fully public, and not every detail in a report can be released. Information tied to an open investigation, juvenile matters, or sensitive personal data may be limited or withheld, and some requests are better directed to the court or to state agencies. When in doubt, asking the records function what is available, in what form and to whom helps set expectations before a trip or payment.

Other Services

The department also offers community programs and crime-prevention resources through its Community Services Division (205-933-4175). For anonymous tips on unsolved crimes, residents can contact Crimestoppers at 205-254-7777.

Frequently Asked Questions