Police Records Unit
The Lathrop Police Department Records Unit provides a variety of services and information to the community. Records can answers all sorts of questions relating to police and community issues. They also manage criminal records, connect community members with the right employee to handle a specific issue, and provide support to our officers. The unit is staffed by Record Assistants and a Records Supervisor. The Records Unit is a part of Support Services and is overseen by the Support Services Commander.
Requesting a copy of a report:
Copies of releasable crime reports are available to authorized parties. Government Code 6254 and case law restricts the supplying of police reports in certain circumstances. The California Public Records Act states police crime reports are public records but are exempt from release to the public. The exception to this is the release of crime reports to the victim, their authorized representative or an insurance carrier against which a claim might be made.
To obtain a copy of a releasable crime report, you must complete an Application for Release of Information request form or visit our Records Unit Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. You may return the form by dropping it off at the Lathrop Police Department's front counter or email us at records@ci.lathrop.ca.us.
If your request meets the criteria for release of disclosable public records, it will be available for purchase (upon receipt of the form) within 10 days of receipt of request. For more information about status of your request, please contact the Records unit at (209) 647-6400.
Please call the Records Unit to inquire regarding the release of a report copy or to verify a report is ready.
Vehicle Release:
Vehicle releases may be obtained from the Records Unit counter, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 AM and 5:30 PM. If your vehicle was impounded due to a specific vehicle code violation, you are required to obtain a release form from the Police Department prior to the vehicle's release to you from the tow yard. The tow yard will require all towing fees are paid prior to release. The vehicle is released to the registered owner and the vehicle must be currently registered with DMV. The registered owner must have a valid license or have a licensed driver who is willing to take responsibility for driving the vehicle from the tow yard. The cost of a vehicle release is $125.00 and is paid at the Police Department. Payments can be made in cash or Visa/Master Card.
A 30-day hold impound is imposed on a vehicle if a driver is cited for driving with a suspended or revoked driver's license or was involved in a speed contest. The registered owner is entitled to a storage release hearing, to appeal the 30-day hold, within 10 days of the notice of storage. The hearing is done within 48 business hours (not including weekends) after receipt of requested appeal and normally done over the phone. Please contact the Records Unit to request a storage release hearing.
If the vehicle cannot be picked up by the registered owner, the registered owner will need to have a Second Party Vehicle Release form filled out by a second party and registered owner will need to sign on the form and provide a copy a driver’s license or identification card. The person picking up the vehicle release must have a valid driver’s license.
If your vehicle was towed from Private Party. Contact the tow company, per posted signs, which are required for private-property towing.
Don’t know who towed your car? Look for signs. If you do not find any towing signs, contact the police department at (209) 647-6400.
Repossessed Vehicle Releases:
If your vehicle was repossessed from a location in Lathrop, the cost to obtain a repossession receipt from the Police Department and the fee would be $15.00 and is paid at the Police Department.
Alarm Permit:
The Lathrop Police Department strives to deliver the highest quality of professional services to everyone who lives and works in the City of Lathrop. In order to track alarms in the city and reduce false alarms there are a couple steps that can be followed:
- Make sure you register your alarm with Lathrop Police Department.
- Make sure you keep your alarm company updated with your current phone number(s)
- Make sure to keep the Lathrop Police Department updated with your current information.
Permit Registration:
- An Alarm user must obtain an alarm permit from each property that utilizes an alarm system.
- There is no annual registration fee of residential and commercial locations.
- Alarm permit must be renewed yearly on or before July 1 of each year.
The Lathrop Municipal Code for Alarm Systems can be viewed here.
Clearance Letter:
Members of the public may obtain background checks from the Lathrop Police Department for incidents in which occurred within the city. A clearance letter is often requested by various government and international organizations in matter of immigration and international adoptions. The clearance letter will only check criminal records within the City of Lathrop's. This letter does not preclude the possibility of arrests or wants outside the jurisdiction of the City of Lathrop. If a statewide Police Clearance is needed, the subject must contact the nearest Department of Justice.
Please provide a valid government issued photo identification card along with request for clearance letter form. The request may take up to 10 business days. This form can be turned in at the Lathrop Police Department, emailed or mailed.
Contact Information
Lathrop Police Department
940 River Islands Parkway
Office Hours: M-F 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Call 911 - Life Threatening Emergencies
Phone Numbers:
(209) 249-2000 - Police Dispatch Emergency
(209) 249-1800 - Police Dispatch Non-Emergency
(209) 647-6400 - Administration & Support Division