In general, most police reports are available between SEVEN (7) TO TEN (10) business days after the report is taken. Requests to receive police reports must be made in writing to the Ridgewood Police Records Bureau at Ridgewood Police Headquarters.  Most records must be picked-up in person, although some may be obtained via U.S. Mail. 

Please note: Not all police reports are public record and we reserve the right to withhold those reports which are not.

Motor Vehicle Crash Reports (with the exception of incidents involving a fatality or serious injury) will ordinarily be provided at the time of your request. Other reports, which involve sensitive or restricted information, may not be available for up to seven (7) days following your request. If your request is denied, you will be notified in writing.

The fee for in-person requests is $.05 per page, however all fees under $1.00 (19 pages or less) may be waived.

To receive a report by mail, send a self addressed, stamped envelope and written request [see link below] with a copy of your driver’s license or other photo ID to:

Ridgewood Police Records

131 North Maple Avenue

Ridgewood NJ 07450

For further information call 201-251-4531.

Police Reports that may NOT be available to the public include, but are not limited to:

• Juvenile Reports;
• The Criminal Investigatory Details of police reports;
• Open and/or On-going investigation;
• Reports pertaining to major crimes that are pending trial; and,
• Domestic Violence related reports.

Calls for service that the department will respond to that will most likely not necessitate a police report may include:

• Burglar Alarms;
• Medical Calls (not involving personal injury);
• Parking complaints;
• Animal complaints;
• Motor Vehicle complaints (complaints of speeding on a roadway);
• False alarm Fire Department type responses (e.g. activated smoke detectors).  Fire service calls and disasters (i.e. house fires) will be documented on a report.

Police Report Discrepancies, Errors, and Questions:

Our officers work incredibly hard to ensure that all reports are completed accurately and include all relevant information related to each call for service and there is a process in place to ensure the accuracy and quality of all reports.  Rarely, officers may make minor mistakes on reports that are not found in our process.  At times, too, people may report that some information they feel is relevant to an incident has been inadvertently omitted from a report. 

In order to maintain the integrity of the report, only the officer who submitted the report (or the supervisory officer who approved the report) should discuss the report with you.  Although there may be an error or inadvertent omission, reports cannot be changed.  A conversation with the submitting officer may alleviate any concern you may have; however, you are still entitled to submit a Supplemental Report that will be attached to the original report.  Please note: filing a false police report is a crime and may be prosecuted.

• Traffic and non-indictable matters, which are pending in the Ridgewood Municipal Court shall be requested through the Municipal Prosecutor.

• Adult criminal and juvenile delinquency matters, which are pending in Superior Court, shall be request through the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office.

• Civil matters will be accepted by the police Records Bureau when submitted on attorney letterhead providing notice of representation of an involved party along with a detailed description of the documents sought. All reports will be compiled and you will be contacted for the cost associated with such a request.

If the matter in question involves an ongoing criminal or juvenile delinquency matter, which has not be adjudicated in a court of law, all requests for police reports must be submitted to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.