Connecticut Freedom of Information Act
How to Request Police Reports in Connecticut
You can ask a Connecticut police department for incident reports, arrest reports, and supplemental reports under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (C.G.S. 1-200 and following). Response timeline: Every person has the right to inspect records promptly (C.G.S. 1-210(a)). Any denial must be in writing within 4 business days, or within 10 business days for requests involving employee personnel records (C.G.S. 1-206(a)). No compliance within that time counts as a denial. You must appeal to the Freedom of Information Commission within 30 days of the denial (C.G.S. 1-206(b)(1)).. Be as specific as you can about the date, place, and people involved, and ask for electronic copies.
Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Statute: C.G.S. 1-200 and following.
Write your Connecticut request
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Frequently asked questions
- Can I get police reports from a Connecticut police department?
- You can request incident reports, arrest reports, and supplemental reports under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (C.G.S. 1-200 and following). Some records may be withheld or redacted under exemptions in the law, for example for open investigations or privacy.
- What should I include in a request for police reports?
- Name the department, describe the records as precisely as you can (date, time, location, officer name or badge number, case number), ask for electronic copies, and ask for a fee estimate first.
- How long will it take?
- The response timeline under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (C.G.S. 1-200 and following) is: Every person has the right to inspect records promptly (C.G.S. 1-210(a)). Any denial must be in writing within 4 business days, or within 10 business days for requests involving employee personnel records (C.G.S. 1-206(a)). No compliance within that time counts as a denial. You must appeal to the Freedom of Information Commission within 30 days of the denial (C.G.S. 1-206(b)(1)).. Large video requests can take longer if the agency needs to review or redact footage.