Access Tuscaloosa Police Records

Police records in Tuscaloosa are managed by the Tuscaloosa Police Department and the City Clerk's office. The city is home to the University of Alabama, which brings over 100,000 people to the area. That means plenty of police activity and a steady demand for records. Getting incident reports, arrest records, and crash reports from Tuscaloosa PD follows a standard process. You can request records through the City Clerk public records portal or contact the police department directly. This guide explains how to get the records you need, what fees to expect, and the options available for requesting Tuscaloosa police documents.

Which County Handles Tuscaloosa Cases

Tuscaloosa sits in Tuscaloosa County. The county court system handles criminal cases from the city. Circuit Court takes felonies. District Court handles misdemeanors.

The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff runs the jail. People arrested by Tuscaloosa PD go to the Tuscaloosa County Jail at 1600 26th Avenue. The sheriff maintains the inmate roster.

City police investigate crimes. The county handles courts and incarceration. This is standard for Alabama. The two systems work together but keep separate records.

For court documents, contact the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Clerk. For police reports and arrest records, contact Tuscaloosa PD directly.

The University of Alabama also has its own police department. If an incident happened on campus, UA Police have the records, not Tuscaloosa PD. Make sure you know which jurisdiction handled your case.

Tuscaloosa Police Department Contact Info

The Tuscaloosa Police Department handles law enforcement for the city. Their administrative office takes records requests.

Police Department Address:
3801 Trevor S Phillips Ave
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Non-Emergency Phone: 205-349-2121

For public records requests, you can also go through the City Clerk:

City Clerk Public Records Portal:
tuscaloosa.com/government/city-clerk/public-records-request

The online portal handles general city records. For specific police reports, contacting the department directly may be faster.

How to Request Tuscaloosa Police Records

Tuscaloosa offers a few ways to get police records.

In Person

Visit the Police Department at 3801 Trevor S Phillips Ave. Bring your ID. Tell them what records you need. Pay any applicable fees.

City Clerk Portal

Tuscaloosa has a public records request portal through the City Clerk. Go to tuscaloosa.com and find the public records section. Submit your request online. The portal tracks your submission and sends updates.

LexisNexis BuyCrash

For crash and accident reports, Tuscaloosa uses LexisNexis BuyCrash. This is a third-party service that hosts reports online. You can search by date, location, or driver name. Pay online and download your report instantly.

What You Need

To get a crash report, you typically must be involved in the accident. That means you were a driver, passenger, or property owner affected. This is a restriction for crash reports specifically.

You will need:

• Report number (if you have it)
• Date of the incident
• Driver name
• Proof of involvement (for crash reports)

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 gives residents the right to access public records. However, crash reports have additional restrictions on who can obtain them.

Tuscaloosa Police Record Fees

Fees for Tuscaloosa police records vary by type.

Crash reports through LexisNexis BuyCrash have a set fee. The cost depends on the report. Expect to pay around $10 to $15 for most reports.

Other police records may have per-page copy fees. The standard rate in Alabama is around $0.25 to $1.00 per page. Check with the department for current pricing.

For large requests involving many documents, ask for an estimate first. That way you know the total before they process everything.

Payment methods depend on how you request. In person, they accept standard payment. Online through LexisNexis, you pay by credit card.

How to Get Tuscaloosa Crash Reports

Traffic accidents in Tuscaloosa generate crash reports. These are important for insurance claims and legal matters.

Tuscaloosa uses LexisNexis BuyCrash for crash reports. This is a statewide system. Go to the BuyCrash website and search for your accident.

You will need:

• Date of the accident
• Location where it happened
• Name of at least one driver
• Report number if known

There is a restriction on who can get crash reports. You typically must be an involved party. That means drivers, registered owners, injured parties, or property owners. Insurance companies and attorneys can also obtain them for legitimate claims.

Reports take a few days after the accident to show up in the system. Officers need time to complete their paperwork and upload it.

For accidents on state highways near Tuscaloosa, ALEA troopers may have responded. Those reports go through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency portal instead.

What Records Tuscaloosa Releases

Tuscaloosa PD releases various police records to the public.

• Incident reports (basic information)
• Offense reports
• Crash reports (through LexisNexis)
• Arrest records
• Call logs

Some information gets redacted. Social Security numbers are removed. Home addresses of victims stay private. Details about minors are protected under Alabama law.

Active investigations can be withheld. The department may decline if releasing records would harm an ongoing case. Once the case closes, more information becomes available.

Juvenile records are not public. If a minor was the suspect or victim, those records stay sealed.

Tuscaloosa Jail and Inmate Search

People arrested by Tuscaloosa police go to the Tuscaloosa County Jail.

Jail Address:
1600 26th Avenue
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff runs this facility. Search for inmates on the Sheriff's website. The roster shows:

• Inmate name and photo
• Booking date
• Charges
• Bond amount

The roster updates regularly and shows current inmates. For past bookings and releases, contact the jail.

Bond is set by a judge. The jail holds people but does not set bond amounts. For questions about bail or court dates, contact the Circuit Clerk or District Attorney.

Background Checks in Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa PD does not run comprehensive background checks for the public. Statewide checks go through ALEA.

ALEA Criminal Justice Information Services
301 S. Ripley Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: 1-866-740-4762

Online background checks cost $15. Mail requests cost $25. Fingerprint-based checks provide the most complete results.

Tuscaloosa County Sheriff may offer local background check services. Contact them for options specific to the county.

Employers often use third-party screening services. These pull records from ALEA and court databases. For official purposes, ALEA remains the authoritative source.

University of Alabama Police

The University of Alabama has its own police department. If your incident happened on campus, contact UA Police, not Tuscaloosa PD.

UA Police Department
1110 Jackson Avenue
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone: 205-348-5454

Campus police handle crimes on university property. They have separate records from city police. Make sure you contact the right department.

On gamedays and major events, both departments respond to incidents near campus. Check with both if you are unsure who handled your case.

Alabama Public Records Law

Alabama Code Section 36-12-40 establishes your right to access public records. Every Alabama resident can inspect and copy public writings.

Police records fall under this law with exceptions. Active investigations can be withheld. Security information is exempt. Personal details get redacted.

Since October 2024, only Alabama residents can request records. You must show valid Alabama ID.

The law sets no response deadline. Tuscaloosa tries to be responsive, but complex requests take time.

If denied, you can sue in circuit court within two years. There is no state appeals board.

Nearby Cities with Police Records

Looking for police records from areas near Tuscaloosa? Try these cities:

Each city has its own police department. If your incident happened outside Tuscaloosa city limits, contact that jurisdiction.

Search Tuscaloosa Records Now

Use the search below to find police records, arrest information, and criminal history in Tuscaloosa.