The Records Office is open Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. The Records Office is closed on weekends and holidays.

Contact the Records Office by the following numbers:

• Ph: 401-683-0301
• Fx: 401-683-2020

Police Reports

Please contact the records division to obtain police reports.  Requests for report can and should be made over the phone.  We will email a copy of the redacted (if necessary) report to the requesting individual.  

Copies of police reports can be obtained at the Records Office, which is located inside the main lobby of the Portsmouth Police Department. Additionally, copies of accident reports can be purchased online.

If you are unable to come to the Records Office during the above posted hours, contact the Records Clerk and arrangements can be made to leave a copy at the dispatch desk where it can be picked up at your convenience.

Note: No reports will be mailed unless prior payment has been received and no reports will be faxed.

Parade Information 

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has established a permit to streamline the approval process for parades, road races, cycling tours, and other organized events on State roads and bridges. The Parade / Event Permit application must be completed and mailed or faxed to the State Traffic Engineer.

Open Records Information
 The Portsmouth Police Department has instituted the following procedure to help you obtain public records: 

• Online Records Request
• The Public Records Unit is the Records Office. Please call (401) 643-0133 and ask to be connected to the Records Office. The Detective Lieutenant is designated as the Public Information Officer.
• In order to ensure you are provided with the public records you seek in an expeditious manner, we ask that you complete the Request for Records form located at the main lobby window.
• The regular business hours of the Records Office are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday – Friday. If you come in after regular business hours, please complete the Request for Records Form at the main lobby window and it will be given to the Records Office Clerk on the next working day.
• The Department may ask you the reason for your request, as its regular course of business. However, you are not required to provide identification or reasons why you seek the information. Your right to access public records will not be denied for failing to provide identification or reasons.
• There are times when the public records you seek are not available at the time of your request. Please be advised that the Access to Public Records Act gives a public body ten (10) business days to respond, which can be extended an additional twenty (20) days for “good cause.” We appreciate your understanding and patience.
• If you feel that you have been denied access to public records, you have the right to appeal to Brian P. Peters, Chief of Police. If you are still not satisfied, you may file a complaint with the Department of the Attorney General, 150 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903 or file suit in Superior Court. Information on the Access to Public Record can be found at www.riag.ri.gov/civildivision/opengovernment.php.
• The Portsmouth Police Department is committed to providing you with public records in an expeditious and courteous manner.