Tennessee Public Records Act
How to Request Police Reports in Tennessee
You can ask a Tennessee police department for incident reports, arrest reports, and supplemental reports under the Tennessee Public Records Act (Tenn. Code Ann. 10-7-503). Response timeline: Records must be made available promptly. If that is not practicable, within 7 business days the custodian must produce them, deny in writing with the basis, or state in writing how long it will take (T.C.A. 10-7-503(a)(2)(B)). IMPORTANT: only Tennessee citizens have the right to request records; agencies may refuse non-residents.. Be as specific as you can about the date, place, and people involved, and ask for electronic copies.
Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Statute: Tenn. Code Ann. 10-7-503.
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Frequently asked questions
- Can I get police reports from a Tennessee police department?
- You can request incident reports, arrest reports, and supplemental reports under the Tennessee Public Records Act (Tenn. Code Ann. 10-7-503). 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 Tennessee Public Records Act (Tenn. Code Ann. 10-7-503) is: Records must be made available promptly. If that is not practicable, within 7 business days the custodian must produce them, deny in writing with the basis, or state in writing how long it will take (T.C.A. 10-7-503(a)(2)(B)). IMPORTANT: only Tennessee citizens have the right to request records; agencies may refuse non-residents.. Large video requests can take longer if the agency needs to review or redact footage.