NON-EMERGENCY: (574) 235-9201

CAREERS

Records bureau

Records bureau

hours and location

The Records Bureau of South Bend Police Department is staffed by civilian employees that constitute 6 divisions providing public services:  Records Management, Alarm Billing, APRA Coordinator, Data Entry, Statistical Reporting and  Evidence/Property Management

701 W. Sample St.  South Bend, IN 46601

Records – (574) 235-9212


Business Hours

  • Monday – Friday:  7AM-11PM
  • Observed City Holidays: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
  • Saturday: Open for Impound Releases ONLY, 8AM – 12PM
  • Sunday: Closed
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Services

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File a Report

How to file various kinds of police reports

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Report Shoplifting

Fill out the Shoplifting Incident Report

report drug complaint

Report a Drug/ Property Complaint

File a complaint with our department.

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Register a Camera

Register a security camera for your business here.

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Accident Form SR-21

In an accident on SR-21? Fill out this form and file it.

handgun permit

Handgun Permit

Register a handgun here.

buy a collision report

Buy a Collision Report

Purchase a report through LexisNexis here.

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Background Check

Please refer to the instructions below.

Cost by record type

Accident Reports can be bought at the Police Station or online through the State for $12.00 at https://www.buycrash.com/      

Tapes and CDs must be approved through the Public Access Process before purchasing.

The background check provided will only verify if you have a criminal history locally.  Background checks can be processed by mail.  If requesting by mail, you will need to send a notarized letter stating that you are requesting a background check, a photo copy of your driver’s license, $7 money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope.  

Employment screening for a prospective employer or added to a Background Check are done during normal business hours only.  Fingerprints for Handgun Permits must be done electronically at one of the States L1 certified sites.

Permit applications are available for South Bend City residents only (County residents must go to the County Jail).    The application process is done online.   There will be an application fee for the State that is paid online.    Fingerprints for Handgun Permits must be done electronically at one of the States L1 certified sites.  The above fee must be paid at the South Bend Police Department after your application and fingerprints are completed.

Your vehicle may not be available for immediate release due to an investigation.   If your car is able to be released you will need to bring ALL items listed below to the Police Station before it will be released.

•    Current Legal Vehicle Owner Must Be Present  
•    VALID Licensed Driver (with Photo License present) to operate the vehicle.  If the vehicle is to be towed to a residence you must provide a VALID State issued ID
•    Proof Of Proper and Current (not expired or out of date) Registration
•    Proof of VALID Current Insurance in effect showing coverage dates and vehicle description
•    If recently purchased, a proper and valid Bill of Sale and/or Title

All Photos must have approval through the Public Access process.

Law Enforcement case reports or partial case reports may be able to be released with the approval of the City Attorney for Public Access. Not all Public Access request are granted, depending on the nature of the incident.   The Public Access form must be completed, and it must clearly state the specific time frame that you are inquiring about. The form can be found here. The form must be brought to the South Bend Police Department so that we can include the case with the form and present it to the city Attorney. Further information in reference to the Public Access Laws of Indiana can be found here. Additional Information can be found on the City of South Bend website.

The Summary Report has minimal information concerning a case that is also part of the public log.  

** Please note there is a minimum of $2.00 mailing fee as we do not fax reports.

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) check inspections are required for out of state purchased vehicles prior to being registered at the Indiana BMV.    VIN checks can be done at the South Bend Police Department during business hours.   For offsite VIN checks, the fee must be paid at the Police Department and the receipt shown to the officer upon their arrival.  If you do not have your receipt the officer will not proceed.   VIN checks must be completed during daylight hours only.

False Alarms Billing

Call (574) 235-7535

False alarm responses take needed officers away from their duties.  The South Bend Police Department allows a business three false alarms per year without charge, giving the business time to either fix issues or for an accidental trip of an alarm.    On the fourth false alarm of the year, however, there is a charge of $100. Any consecutive false alarm within that year incur a charge of $200.    Payment may be made in cash or by a business check payable to the South Bend Police Department.

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Filing a Report

Call (574) 235-9201

Our Records Specialists are located on site and take most reports over the phone or in person.  They perform the VIN checks and fingerprints as well as answer multi-line phones to assist you with your questions.  Please contact the Record Specialists if a report needs to be made in reference to one of the incident types listed below.

Assaults  (suspect unknown)    

Missing Persons

Found Property    

Motor Vehicle Theft  (report taken at station in person)

Fraud    

Runaways  (report taken at station in person)

Harassing Phone Calls    

Vandalisms

Larceny Drive Offs

Theft From a Vehicle

Larceny License Plate 

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File a Police Report

Property and Evidence

Call (574) 235-7538

The South Bend Police Department houses thousands of pieces of property and evidence for the City of South Bend.   To obtain property or evidence you must fill out a release request.  Your request will be reviewed by the officer handling the case. If the case is still active, it may not be released.    If your request is approved, you will be contacted by the officer.  You will then need to contact the Records Bureau, Property and Evidence Coordinator to schedule a time for pick up.  You may be asked to prove certain items are yours by a receipt of purchase.   A valid form of picture ID is required at time of pick up.

Items that are found property with no claim are held for 30 days before being marked to disseminate  (destroyed or auctioned).

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