Request Police Arrest & Incident Records - El Paso

Public Safety Texas 4 Minutes Read · published February 07, 2026 Flag of Texas

In El Paso, Texas, requests for police arrest records and incident reports are handled by the El Paso Police Department Records Division and by the City Clerk for open-records procedures. Start by identifying the report type, date and case number if available, then submit a records request through the department or the city’s public information process. Official guidance and forms are available from the police records page and the city open-records portal; if the city withholds information you can seek review from the Texas Attorney General.Police Records Division[1] City Clerk - Open Records[2] Texas Attorney General - Open Government[3]

How to request arrest records and incident reports

Follow these practical steps to request records from the El Paso Police Department (EPPD) or through a public information request to the City of El Paso. Provide as much identifying information as possible to speed retrieval: names, date/time, location, report number, and your contact information. If you need an official certified copy for court, indicate that in your request.

  1. Identify the report type and approximate date or case number.
  2. Complete the police records request form or the city open-records request form and attach ID if required.
  3. Submit the request by the method shown on the records page (in person, mail, email or online portal).
  4. Pay any applicable copying or certification fees as instructed by the Records Division.
  5. Track the request and respond promptly to any city follow-up to avoid delays.
Always keep a copy of your submitted request and any confirmation number.

Penalties & Enforcement

Access to police arrest records and incident reports is governed by city procedures and state public-information law. Specific civil fines, fee schedules, or criminal penalties for misuse or false statements are not uniformly listed on the cited municipal records pages; see the official sources below for any statutory penalty references or procedural enforcement.

  • Fines or copying fees: not specified on the cited page.[2]
  • Escalation for repeat violations or refusal to comply: not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: administrative orders, redaction requirements, or court action may be used; specific sanctions are not specified on the cited page.
  • Enforcer: El Paso Police Department Records Division for access and the City Clerk for open-records processing; Texas Attorney General reviews withholding decisions.
  • Appeals and review: if the city denies access, you may request a review from the Texas Attorney General; statutory timelines and procedures are described on the AG site.
  • Defences and exemptions: privacy, ongoing criminal investigations, and protected records may justify withholding; specific exemptions are governed by state law and the cited AG guidance.
If your request is denied, preserve the denial in writing before seeking an AG decision.

Applications & Forms

The Records Division typically publishes a police records request form and instructions on how to request accident reports and arrest records. If a named form, form number, or fee schedule is not shown on the department pages, then a form may be available on request or via the city open-records portal.

  • Police records request form: see the Records Division page for the current form or submission address.[1]
  • Fees and certification costs: not specified on the cited page.

Action steps

  • Gather identifiers: full names, dates, report numbers and any other case details.
  • Submit the completed request form to the Records Division or the City Clerk as instructed on the official pages.[1]
  • Pay any copying or certification fees when requested.
  • If access is denied, request written denial and file for an Attorney General review within the timelines set by state law.
Allow extra time for redactions or legal review when requests involve third-party privacy.

FAQ

How long does it take to receive a police report?
Processing time varies by workload and request complexity; a specific standard processing time is not specified on the cited city pages.
Are arrest records public in El Paso?
Many arrest and incident reports are public unless exempted by state law or redaction rules; specific exemptions are governed by the Texas Public Information Act and the Texas Attorney General guidance.
Will I be charged for copies or certified reports?
Copy and certification fees may apply; the current fee schedule is not specified on the cited municipal pages and should be confirmed with the Records Division when you submit your request.

How-To

  1. Identify the exact report details you need (date, names, report number).
  2. Download or request the police records form from the Records Division and complete it.
  3. Submit the form by the methods listed on the Records Division page (email, mail, in person or portal) and keep confirmation.
  4. Pay any fees and specify if you need a certified copy for court.
  5. If denied, request written justification and file for an Attorney General review following the AG guidance.

Key Takeaways

  • Start with the El Paso Police Records Division and provide specific identifiers.
  • Use the City Clerk open-records process if needed and keep written confirmations.
  • If access is denied, the Texas Attorney General can review the decision.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of El Paso - Police Records Division
  2. [2] City of El Paso - City Clerk Open Records Request
  3. [3] Texas Attorney General - Open Government

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