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To get a police report online in NYC, first identify the NYPD record type. For a Verification of a Complaint Report, use the department’s dedicated request route. For other responsive NYPD records, use FOIL when appropriate and provide enough identifiers to let the agency find the record.
Choose the NYPD route by record product
Do not send every request through the same form.
| Need | Likely route | Useful identifiers |
|---|---|---|
| Verification of a complaint report | Criminal Records Unit request | Complaint/report number, incident details, requester relationship |
| Aided report | Aided Unit process | Incident details and eligible requester information |
| Stop report | Dedicated stop-report request | Date, time, borough, location, officer details when known |
| Broader responsive NYPD records | FOIL / OpenRecords | Report type, report number, date, precinct, location and a specific description |
Prepare the identifiers before submitting the online request
A specific request reduces misrouting and delays.
1
Name the report typeDecide whether the target is complaint verification, aided/stop report, or another record.2
Capture the report numberUse the NYPD complaint, arrest or other identifying number when available.3
Add incident factsProvide date, precinct and location so the agency can distinguish similar events.4
Keep the request receiptSave confirmation/request numbers and any response explaining production, redaction or denial.A verification report and the full police/investigative file are not synonyms
Ask for the product that answers the actual need.
Verification product
- Confirms that an incident/complaint report exists
- Provides key summary details
- Designed for a defined requester workflow
Broader records request
- Can seek identified responsive NYPD records
- Subject to FOIL exemptions and redactions
- Needs a sufficiently detailed description
Why an online NYPD request can still have access limits
Police records combine public-record access with statutory privacy, investigative and sealing rules.
NYPD separates its record products because the underlying files serve different purposes. A complaint verification is a concise official product, while a FOIL request can target other records held by the department. The fact that both can begin online does not make their scope identical.
When a requested item is sealed, exempt, or contains protected information, NYPD may redact or withhold material under the applicable law. Preserve the response explanation with your research. If you need a particular document rather than proof that an incident was reported, identify that document or record category as specifically as possible.
Related guides
Get a police report online in NYC: choose the NYPD report type: common questions
Yes. NYPD provides an online or mail request route for this report product.
Use FOIL for responsive NYPD records that are not handled by a more specific request process, and describe the records in enough detail for a search.
Report number, date, precinct, location and other record-specific identifiers are useful.