Access Richmond Police Records

Richmond police records cover arrest reports, incident files, crash data, body camera footage, and criminal court documents held by the Richmond Police Department and the city's Circuit Court. As Virginia's capital and an independent city, Richmond runs its own law enforcement and judicial system. The city has been at the center of major FOIA litigation over police records, including a court order that forced the department to publish its general orders. This page explains how to request police records in Richmond, what the FOIA process looks like, and where to search for court cases and criminal data online.

Richmond Police Department Records

The Richmond Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for Virginia's capital city. Records requests go through the city's FOIA process, managed by the City Attorney's Office. The department maintains incident reports, arrest records, crash files, body camera footage, and policy documents. Police records requests should specify the type of records you need, whether that is an incident report, accident file, or body camera video.

Richmond has a notable history with police records transparency. The department published 32 general orders in June 2023, covering officer conduct and body camera rules. This came three months after a court ordered the release. The city had initially resisted FOIA requests for these policy documents, and the records were ultimately obtained through litigation and settlement in 2020. The case showed that FOIA applies even to internal policy manuals.

Note: Richmond Police Department general orders are now publicly available following the court-ordered release. These documents cover department policies on use of force, body cameras, and other operational procedures.

Richmond Police Records FOIA Process

The City of Richmond provides online FOIA request submission through the City Attorney's Office. Visit the FOIA page at rva.gov to start a request. You can also submit by mail, email, phone, or in person. Under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3700 et seq., all public records are presumed open unless a specific exemption applies. The city must respond within five working days.

For police records specifically, be clear about what you are asking for. Include dates, names, case numbers, and the type of document. If you want body camera footage, note the date, time, and location of the incident. The more specific your request, the faster the response. Fees are limited to the actual cost of searching, copying, and providing the records under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3704. If the estimate exceeds $200, the city may require a deposit.

Common exemptions that apply to Richmond police records include criminal investigative files under Section 2.2-3706, personnel records, attorney-client privilege, and records from ongoing investigations. The identities of victims, witnesses, and 911 callers are also protected. If your request is denied, the city must tell you which exemption applies and why.

Richmond Circuit Court Records

The Richmond Circuit Court sits in the 13th Judicial Circuit. It handles felony criminal cases, civil cases over $25,000, and family law matters. The courthouse is the main location for in-person record requests. Court records are also searchable online through the Virginia Circuit Court Case Information System. This free tool lets you search by name, case number, or hearing date.

Misdemeanors, traffic violations, and preliminary felony hearings go through the Richmond General District Court. Those cases are on the General District Court search system. Both databases are maintained by the Virginia Judicial System. Copy fees for court records are $0.50 per page, with a $2.00 surcharge for certified copies under Virginia Code Section 17.1-208. Land records may require a paid subscription for remote access.

Statewide Background Checks From Richmond

The Virginia State Police headquarters is right in the Richmond area, making it easy to request statewide criminal history checks. Submit Form SP-167 to the Central Criminal Records Exchange. The fee is $15 per search. The form must be notarized before mailing to Virginia State Police, CARE, 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235. Processing takes about 15 business days.

Under Virginia Code Section 19.2-389, criminal history records from the Central Criminal Records Exchange go only to authorized recipients. You can get your own record. An attorney can request it with a notarized release. Law enforcement and certain government agencies also have access. The general public cannot request another person's criminal history through this system.

The Virginia State Police FOIA portal handles requests for state-level police records that are not held by the Richmond Police Department. This includes state police incident reports and investigative files.

Search Richmond Police Records Online

Several free tools help you search for Richmond police records from home. The Virginia Courts website links to circuit and district court case search systems. The Virginia Sex Offender Registry is searchable by name or location and covers all of Virginia. Crash reports from state police investigations can be ordered from the Virginia DMV for $8 per copy.

The Virginia Department of Corrections offender locator shows current inmate locations, charges, and projected release dates. The Virginia Victims Fund at 1-800-552-4007 provides compensation to victims of violent crime for expenses related to the crime. VINELink lets victims track offender custody status changes statewide. The OpenOversightVA database has policy manuals from many Virginia departments, including Richmond.

Richmond Police Records and Expungement

If charges against you were dropped or you were acquitted in Richmond, you may petition for expungement under Virginia Code Section 19.2-392.2. File with the Richmond Circuit Court. A judge will decide whether keeping the record on file causes manifest injustice. Expungement removes the record from public access.

Virginia also runs an automatic sealing process under Section 19.2-392.6. Some misdemeanors, deferred dismissals, and decriminalized offenses qualify. The Virginia State Police checks monthly for eligible records and sends lists to the Richmond Circuit Court clerk. No petition is needed from the individual. For legal help with expungement, the Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service is at 1-800-552-7977. The Virginia Legal Aid Society serves eligible residents at 1-866-534-5243.

The screenshot below shows the City of Richmond FOIA information page, which explains how to submit records requests to city agencies including the police department.

Use this page to start a FOIA request for Richmond police records, body camera footage, or other city documents.

Nearby Cities

These independent cities are near Richmond. Each operates its own police force and courts for handling police records.