Maybe you got into a car crash leaving The Block, hurt yourself on icy pavement, or sustained property damage due to negligence. To substantiate your claims, you may need a police report. But how do you get the correct documents? It’s simpler than you may fear. The Peoria Police Department offers multiple ways to obtain reports. Below, we outline exactly what to do.
Where to Obtain a Peoria Police Report
To get a police report from the Peoria Police Department, complete a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request Form.
What Information Should be Included in the FOIA Request?
Provide the following:
- Your name, address, and telephone number
- Whether you want the information for commercial purposes
- The police report number (if known)
- The type of incident (e.g., accident, burglary, assault, theft)
- The date and location of the incident
- The name, date of birth, sex, and address of persons involved in the incident
In your request, you can also grant the Police Department permission to provide documents via email by including your email address. This will minimize delays and allow you to complete the entire process online. A sample of the FOIA Request Form can be found here.
How Long Will It Take to Fulfill a Request, and What are the Costs?
The Police Department has five business days to comply with your request, excluding weekends and holidays. The Department will notify you by mail whether you’ve been approved or denied. If the Police Department denies your request, it will include the reason for the denial in your letter.
You may not receive your police report within five days, but the Department will notify you whether it can comply with your request. In terms of costs, the first 50 pages are free for black and white copies. Each additional page will cost $.10. You may need to pay fees upfront depending on the number of documents requested. Otherwise, payment is due upon receipt.
Where Can You Submit a FOIA Request Form?
You can submit your written request in one of the following ways:
By mail:
Peoria Police Department
Attention: Records-FOIA
600 SW Adams St.
Peoria, IL 61602
By fax: (309) 494-8440
By email: Police-FOIA@peoriagov.org
In-person:
Police Department, Information Office
600 SW Adams Street
Peoria, IL 61602
If you have questions regarding your request for a police report, contact the Information Office at (309) 494-8300, Monday through Friday, between 9 am and 5 pm.
Obtaining an Accident Report
If you were involved in an automobile accident, a police report could be essential to the success of your case. It provides information you may have forgotten. It also provides an impartial account of the events.
You do not need to submit a FOIA Request Form if you need a copy of your accident report. Instead, you can order a copy of the report online here. At the scene of the accident, you should have received an information exchange sheet. This document will include a report number, which you can use to order your report.
On the website, you will be prompted to select your state (Illinois), agency (Peoria Police Department), date of birth, date of the accident, and the report number (or Local Code). Each transaction costs between $13 and $18; you can pay by credit or debit card.
Can You Still Request an Accident Report in Person?
You can visit the Information Office at 600 SW Adams Street, Peoria, Illinois 61602. There is a $5 fee for the report.
Obtaining a Copy of Criminal or Juvenile Records
The Peoria County Circuit Clerk’s office handles requests for criminal records. Some records may be viewed online. For more information on requesting criminal records, contact the Peoria County Circuit Clerk at (309) 672-6000, Monday through Friday between 8:30 am and 5 pm. The Circuit Clerk’s Criminal Division charges $6 per year per person to be searched.
The Illinois State Police (ISP) is responsible for statewide criminal record reports. Criminal histories can be obtained through a name-based inquiry online or fingerprint-based inquiry through the Criminal History Information Resource Process (CHIRP). You can speak directly with the ISP at (815) 740-5160 for help with a record request.
If you or a loved one got hurt in an accident or need assistance obtaining a Peoria police or accident report, contact the attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation.
