Request a police public record
The Open Public Records Act (OPRA) is a state law that provides public access to certain government records (both paper and electronic).
This is for police records requests. If you are looking for general or health records, those are handled differently:
Need to know
- Please submit your request in writing
- Anyone can file a request
- Costs:
- Free to inspect in-person
- Paper copies, 5 to 7 cents per page
- Media (CD, DVD), cost of material
- Delivery and postage fees are additional, depending on delivery type
- Special service charge, depends on complexity of request
Before you start
Be as specific as possible in your request. This helps us find exactly what you are looking for. Let us know what records you are looking for, including any dates, names and addresses. If a request is overly broad, it could be denied. If you are not sure what to ask for, contact us before you make the request.
Steps
- Download the OPRA request form.
- Complete the form.
- Submit the form to the Somerville Police Records Bureau:
- In person or by mail: 24 South Bridge Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
- By fax: (908) 707-1036
What's next
Once the department receives the request, we will fulfill the request as soon as possible. We will respond not later than 7 business days after the request is received, provided that the record is currently available and not in storage or archived. Visit the state website to learn about the Open Public Records Act - N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(i)
Day 1 is the day after we receive the request. Our response will either include the records requested or a time estimate for how long it will take us to provide the records.