Search San Francisco Arrest Records
San Francisco police blotter information comes from both the San Francisco Police Department and the San Francisco Sheriff. The city is also a county, so local agencies handle both city policing and county jail operations. All arrests in San Francisco lead to bookings at county jail facilities on Bryant Street. You can search for arrest records, request police reports, and view booking information through official portals. Most arrest data is public under California law and becomes available shortly after booking.
San Francisco Quick Facts
San Francisco County Jail Records
The San Francisco Sheriff operates county jail facilities at 850 Bryant Street. The main jail complex houses arrested individuals from across the city. The sheriff also runs the county jail system separate from the police department. You can search for inmates at sfsheriff.com to find people currently in custody.
The inmate search shows names, booking dates, and facility locations. Enter a last name to start your search. The system displays results for anyone in custody at San Francisco jails. This database updates as new bookings occur throughout the day.
For detailed booking information, contact the Central Records and Warrants Unit at 850 Bryant Street, Room 460. Call (415) 553-9505 during business hours. Staff can provide custody status and basic arrest details over the phone. Walk-in visits are available but call ahead to verify hours for San Francisco jail records.
The sheriff charges fees for some record services. A criminal case search costs $15. Copies of documents cost 50 cents per page. These fees apply to requests for archived records or certified copies from San Francisco.
San Francisco Police Department Records
The San Francisco Police Department maintains records for all arrests made by city officers. SFPD headquarters is at 1245 3rd Street. The department uses a GovQA portal for public records requests. Visit sanfranciscopd.govqa.us to submit requests for police reports and arrest information.
You can request various record types from San Francisco Police:
- Incident and crime reports
- Traffic collision reports
- Arrest reports for authorized requesters
- Calls for service logs
The department responds to California Public Records Act requests within 10 days. Processing time for completed reports varies based on complexity. Simple reports may take one to two weeks. More involved requests can take longer but SFPD keeps requesters informed of progress.
Call SFPD general information at 1-415-837-7000 for questions about records. The main number can direct you to the right division. For specific record inquiries, the GovQA portal is the best method for formal requests in San Francisco.
Note: Arrested individuals cannot obtain their own arrest reports under California law.
San Francisco Law Enforcement Agencies
The San Francisco Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency in the city. SFPD has 10 district stations across San Francisco neighborhoods. Each station handles patrols and responses in its area. All arrests by SFPD officers lead to bookings at the county jail on Bryant Street.
The San Francisco Sheriff has separate responsibilities. The sheriff runs the jails and handles court security. Sheriff deputies transport inmates and serve warrants. While the sheriff does not patrol streets like police, they do make arrests related to their duties in San Francisco.
Other agencies operate in San Francisco as well. California Highway Patrol patrols Highway 101 and Interstate 280 through the city. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Police handle incidents on transit property. UC San Francisco Police covers the university campuses. San Francisco International Airport has its own police force. All these agencies book arrestees at the county jail regardless of where the arrest occurred in San Francisco.
Understanding San Francisco Booking Information
San Francisco arrest records use California Penal Code sections for charges. Each crime has a specific code number. The booking log shows these codes to identify offenses. You can look up any code online to see its meaning.
A typical booking entry shows the person's full name and booking number. It includes date of birth, sex, race, height, and weight. The entry lists arrest date, time, and location within San Francisco. All charges appear with their code sections. Bail gets set based on the charge and the person's history.
California Government Code Section 7923.600 requires agencies to make certain arrest information public. This includes names, physical descriptions, arrest circumstances, and charges. San Francisco complies by providing online inmate searches and responding to public records requests.
An arrest is not a conviction. Many arrests do not result in criminal charges. Prosecutors review cases and may decline to file. Charges can be dismissed or reduced later. A San Francisco police blotter entry only shows an arrest occurred. It does not prove guilt or predict case outcomes.
Some information stays confidential. Victim names are withheld in sensitive cases. Juvenile records remain private unless the minor is charged as an adult. Active investigation details may be exempt from disclosure. But basic facts about adult arrests become public once booking is complete in San Francisco.
How to Find San Francisco Arrest Information
Start with the sheriff inmate search. This shows who is in jail now. Go to the sheriff website. Enter a last name. Results appear if that person is in custody. This works for recent arrests in San Francisco.
For past arrests, submit a records request. Use the SFPD GovQA portal for police records. Contact the sheriff for jail records. You need the person's full name and approximate date. Agencies search their systems and provide available information. Fees may apply for copies.
You can also check court records. The San Francisco Superior Court keeps files for all criminal cases. If charges were filed, a court record exists. Court files show the case status and outcome. Visit the court clerk or search online through the court website for San Francisco criminal cases.
San Francisco County Police Blotter
San Francisco is both a city and a county under California law. The city-county operates its own police force and sheriff department. All jail facilities and arrest records are managed locally. For comprehensive information on San Francisco County law enforcement, jail operations, and public records access, visit the San Francisco County police blotter page.