Louisiana Public Records Law
How to Request Police Reports in Louisiana
You can ask a Louisiana police department for incident reports, arrest reports, and supplemental reports under the Louisiana Public Records Law (La. R.S. 44:1 and following). Response timeline: Any person may request records. If a record is in active use, the custodian must set a day and hour within 3 business days to provide it (La. R.S. 44:33). If the custodian questions whether something is a public record, it must notify you in writing within 5 business days, citing the legal basis (La. R.S. 44:32(D)). If 5 business days pass with no written determination or time estimate, you can sue and may recover attorney fees, damages and civil penalties of up to $100 per day (La. R.S. 44:35).. Be as specific as you can about the date, place, and people involved, and ask for electronic copies.
Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Statute: La. R.S. 44:1 and following (opens in a new tab).
Write your Louisiana request
Search for the department to start your letter. CopFax is not a law firm and this is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I get police reports from a Louisiana police department?
- You can request incident reports, arrest reports, and supplemental reports under the Louisiana Public Records Law (La. R.S. 44:1 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 Louisiana Public Records Law (La. R.S. 44:1 and following) is: Any person may request records. If a record is in active use, the custodian must set a day and hour within 3 business days to provide it (La. R.S. 44:33). If the custodian questions whether something is a public record, it must notify you in writing within 5 business days, citing the legal basis (La. R.S. 44:32(D)). If 5 business days pass with no written determination or time estimate, you can sue and may recover attorney fees, damages and civil penalties of up to $100 per day (La. R.S. 44:35).. Large video requests can take longer if the agency needs to review or redact footage.