Specialists process hundreds of police reports daily to ensure the information accurately meets crime reporting standards, provides daily customer service support, and responds to over 25,000 public records requests annually.
ORS 192.420 provides that every person, corporation, firm, partnership, association, and any member or committee of the Legislative Assembly, has the right to inspect any non-exempt public record of a public body in Oregon.
Oregon State Law prohibits disclosure of information deemed confidential or sensitive or as exempted from public disclosure. Examples of confidential, sensitive, or exempted information include (but are not limited to):
- Elder Abuse
- Child Abuse
- Juvenile Records
- Physical and mental health information
- Information related to an ongoing investigation
- Certain personal information
The Portland Police Bureau reserves the right to furnish copies of documents in lieu of inspection in order to provide for the protection of the records and to prevent interference with the regular discharge of the duties of the Portland Police Bureau and its members.
Public Records Requests
To submit a public records request visit City of Portland Records Requests. To check the status of an existing public records request, pay an invoice, or retrieve records for fulfilled requests, please visitPortland Public Records Request Center.
If you are unable to file a request online you may submit your request by mail with a fillable and printable Uniform Public Records Request Form. See Contact Information below.
Please note, as per City rule ARA 8.03 the City in general will not accept records requests via phone or email.
Please be advised that all public records requests require payment. Please see the City of Portland Fee Schedule.
WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG TO GET MY POLICE REPORT/RECORD?
Requests are processed in the order they are received. If your request has not been processed or you have not received a response from a public records responder and it has been over 3 weeks since the request was submitted, please contact the Public Records Unit at 503-823-0756
FEE WAIVERS
Public interest and financial hardship fee waivers will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. In most cases, the Police Bureau needs to recover the actual cost of providing records to offset the burden these requests place on the Police Bureau. Due to the division’s limited staffing, financial constraints, and the high volume of requests to the Police Bureau, fee waivers will be rarely granted but will be considered under special circumstances. Your fee waiver request will be reviewed based on the answers to the questions submitted by you with your public records request.
CONTACT INFORMATION
- Public Records Unit Main Line: 503-823-0756
- The Records Division no longer has a public counter for in-person service.
- Information on how to submit a public records request or get a copy of your police report, call the automated information line 503-823-0041.
- Technical questions or problems with the Portland Records Request Center website, please email the help desk at PRRHelp@portlandoregon.gov or call 503-823-6040.
- To send and receive your public records request by mail please mail the Uniform Public Records Request Form with a check or money order, in the appropriate amount made payable to: TREASURER, CITY OF PORTLAND.
Portland Police Bureau
Records Division
1111 SW 2nd Avenue, Room 1126
Portland, Oregon 97204
Towing and Impoundment
To find out if your vehicle has been towed and how to get it back, follow the instructions in the Towing Instructions and Information section.
Traffic Citations
Information about your traffic citation.
Subpoena Duces Tecum (Subpoena for Records)
You must comply with the laws that authorize the issuance of subpoenas for your criminal, civil, or administrative case, such as ORS 136.580, ORCP 55, FRCMP 17, FRCP 45. Please review the applicable laws related to the issuance of a subpoena.
The Portland Police Bureau has the right to object or move to quash a subpoena. The Bureau reserves the right to object or quash subpoenas which are technically flawed, employed for impermissible discovery purposes, and/or seeking privileged or confidential documents that cannot be released in absence of valid court review or order. Alternatively, submitting a public records request can be a more appropriate tool to receive records.
Please make sure that your Subpoena Duces Tecum includes a valid evidentiary hearing date.
Contact Public Records at 503-823-0756 if you need assistance.
Faxed subpoenas will not be accepted.
Address your subpoena to:
ATTN: Custodian of Records
Portland Police Bureau
Records Division
1111 SW 2nd Avenue, Room 1126
Portland, Oregon 97204
Or if emailing, publicrecords-ppb@police.portlandoregon.gov
The Portland Police Bureau requires, at minimum, three (3) business days upon receipt of the subpoena before providing a response. Please review the applicable laws related to the issuance of a subpoena.
Requesters must pay the reasonable costs for production of documents.
This process is for the subpoena of records only. To subpoena an officer for appearance please contact the Court Coordinator Unit.
Name Record / Background Checks
This record only lists contact between an individual and the Portland Police Bureau for which a police report was created.
FEE: Name Record/Background Check/VISA Letter ………..… $2.00 per individual
- The Records Division no longer has a public counter for in-person service.
- Please submit a public records request your request online at the Portland Records Request Center or by mailing a letter of request to the Records Division. A copy of your valid picture identification must be included with the request (hardcopy, digital scan, or digital photo).
- Third party requests for a name record must be submitted through the Portland Records Request Center.
- Records are certified a true copy upon request.
- Certification of Immigration Visa letters, local police department clearance letters, letters of good conduct, or similar letters are available upon request.
- Immigration Visa letters are free of charge.
- For information about the Oregon U-Visa Program.
Criminal History Checks
Requesting a Criminal History
All requests for Criminal History checks are done through the Oregon State Police, Bureau of Criminal Information.
For more information call: 503-378-3070 or visit the Oregon State Police website.
Requesting Name Removal from a Portland Police News Release
If your name appears in a Portland Police Bureau (PPB) news release related to an arrest or other police action, you may request its removal.
Identify a Portland Police Bureau Officer
Under Oregon State Law (House Bill 3355), the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) will provide the name and Department of Public Safety Standards & Training (DPSST) number for PPB Officers upon request. Please visit Identify Portland Police Bureau Officer to submit your request.