How do I request a
copy of a police report or records from the Cheltenham Township Police
Department?
There are three systems for requesting information from our
agency, depending on the type of record and your relationship to the case. They are as follows:
Vehicle accidents (“Crash reports”) are only available to involved parties.To obtain a copy of a crash report you must make the request online at:CrashDocs.org.There is a $15 fee for a copy of a crash report.Requests for crash reports via any other method will not be processed.CrashDocs.org is the single source for obtaining these types of reports.Please note:It takes at least a week and generally a lot longer for the report to be written, approved and uploaded.If the report is not available in 15 days, you may contact us at (215) 885-1600 or [email protected] will NOT give out information from the report over the phone; the only way to obtain information from the report is to order a copy via CrashDocs.org.
Crime VICTIMS may request a copy of an incident report by showing identification that matches the victim information on the police report.This may be done by visiting the police station lobby 24/7, filling out a request form and presenting it with your identification OR by requesting a copy of the police report online online request form and showing your identification when you pick up the report. Please allow ten (10) BUSINESS days to process these report requests.Some reports cannot be released, due to the Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA) or because other laws prohibit it.Reports with suspect, juvenile or arrest information will not be released.Note:Child custody and civil disputes are not crimes and thus, are not covered by this section.They have to be requested under RTKL, as listed below and are generally not releasable.
All other requests can be made by filing an RTKL/Open Records request either online or in person.Note:All requests for police incident reports will be denied as they are considered investigative and, as such, are not subject to release under Pennsylvania Open Records laws.Requests for video must be made by contacting the Administration and Professional Standards Commander at [email protected] or by calling (215) 885-1600 Ext. 436.Those requests are covered under Pa. Act 22, not Open Records.
Records Request Online Form
CrashDocs.org
Please Note: The Cheltenham Township Police
Department complies with the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law (RTKL), CHRIA and
other applicable statutes regulating the release of information to the public.
Information protected under Section 708 (b) of the RTKL (or other applicable
statute) will be removed or obscured to protect that sensitive information.
Please visit the Pennsylvania Department of Open Records website at Pa. Open Records for
additional information on the Right to Know Law.
The Open Records Officer for the Cheltenham Township
Police Department is:
Commander, Administrative Services Division
Cheltenham
Township Police Department
8230
Old York Road
Elkins
Park, PA 19027
(215)
885-1600 extension 436
Who do I contact if a records request is denied? Denials of
access may be appealed in writing to:
Executive Director, Office of Open Records
Commonwealth
Keystone Building
400
North Street, 4th Floor
Harrisburg,
PA 17120
www.openrecords.state.pa.us
For denials of information regarding criminal records
or investigative records, you must appeal in writing to:
Office
of the District Attorney
C/O
Open Records Appeals Officer
Court
House 4th Floor
P.O.
Box 311
Norristown,
PA. 19404-0311
If you choose to file an appeal, you must do so in
writing within 15 business days of the mailing date of this Department’s
response. (RTKL Section 1101) If you have any further questions, please contact
the Administrative Services Division at (215) 885-1600 or [email protected]