The El Segundo Police Department is committed to transparency and public access while complying with California law and protecting the privacy and safety of individuals involved in police incidents. This guideline explains how members of the public, victims, attorneys, other law enforcement agencies, government agencies, and other authorized parties can request police records, including police reports, traffic crash reports, and other official records.

All record requests are handled in accordance with the California Public Records Act (PRA), the California Vehicle Code (for traffic crash reports) and applicable state and federal privacy laws.

The El Segundo Police Department strives to balance public access with the need to protect sensitive information, maintain confidentiality, and support ongoing law enforcement operations.

IMPORTANT: This records portal is for the submission of Public Records Act requests only. This portal may not be used to serve legal documents (e.g., subpoenas, claims, or other legal notices). The City does not consent to service through this portal and does not waive any statutory or procedural service requirements.

The information and forms provided in this portal are not for emergency use. In the event of an emergency, please dial 911.

All requests should be submitted via the El Segundo Police Department Records Portal.

1. Who Can Request

• Victims or individuals involved in an incident: May request copies of reports related to incidents in which they are a victim, witness, or otherwise involved.
• Attorneys: Attorneys representing victims or involved parties must submit a signed waiver or authorization from the client before reports can be released.
• Other members of the public: May submit requests through the El Segundo Police Department online portal. Some information may be redacted for privacy or legal reasons.
• Other law enforcement or government agencies: Requests from other law enforcement or government agencies must be submitted using their official government work email address for verification. Reports and materials will be released in accordance with applicable law and interagency sharing agreements.

2. Identification and Verification

• Requesters must submit proof of identification to verify their identity and ensure records are delivered appropriately.
  • If a parent or legal guardian is requesting a report involving their juvenile child, identification must be provided for both the parent/guardian and the child. Acceptable forms of identification include a government-issued ID, school ID card, or driver’s license.
  • Attorneys or third parties must provide signed authorization or legal documentation when requesting on behalf of someone else.
• DCFS cases involving juveniles: To receive an unredacted report, a signed declaration page must be submitted verifying the requester’s official role in the case and their legal right to access juvenile information.

3. Redactions and Confidentiality
Certain information may be withheld or redacted to protect:

• Victim or witness privacy
  • Juvenile identities
  • Ongoing investigations
  • Confidential law enforcement information

Examples of common redactions: Names of victims or witnesses, date of birth, license plate numbers, social security numbers, or information that could compromise an active investigation.

4. Exemptions and Denials
Certain records may be exempt from disclosure under state or federal law. If a request is partially or fully denied, the requester will be notified in writing with the legal basis for the denial, in accordance with PRA requirements.

5. Record Retention
Some records may no longer exist if they have been destroyed according to the El Segundo Police Department’s record retention schedule.

6. Processing Time
Requests are reviewed and fulfilled in accordance with the deadlines described in the California Public Records Act (PRA, Government Code § 7920.000 et seq.), which requires that a public agency “determine whether the request … seeks copies of disclosable public records in the possession of the agency” within 10 days of receipt of the request. “If the agency determines the request seeks disclosable public records, the agency shall also state the estimated date and time when the records will be made available.” Under the PRA, the agency may extend the time to provide a determination by up to 14 additional days. (Gov. Code § 7922.535)

Important: A response within this timeframe does not mean the records will be immediately produced. Complex requests, ongoing investigations, or records requiring redaction may require additional time to fulfill.

Rolling Release Option: In certain cases, the El Segundo Police Department may provide records on a rolling basis, releasing portions of the requested records as they become available. Requesters will be notified whenever additional records are released and when the full request has been fulfilled.

Exceptions: Requests involving active investigations, ongoing litigation, or sensitive juvenile records may require additional verification before production. 

7. Fees and Costs
The El Segundo Police Department may charge fees for:

• Direct duplication costs: 20 cents per page for paper records. There is no charge for electronic records.

Payment Methods: Acceptable forms of payment include cash, check, or credit card. Requesters will be notified of any fees prior to production and must approve payment before records are released.

8. How to Request a Police Report

• Access the El Segundo Police Department Records Portal:
  • Complete the request form with the following details: report or incident number, date, time, location, and parties involved.
  • If the report number is not available, provide as much information as possible to assist staff in locating the records efficiently.

9. Traffic Crash Reports

General Availability
Most traffic crash reports are available through LexisNexis BuyCrash:

Please Note: Traffic crash reports may take additional time to produce. Each report undergoes careful review and compilation to ensure all details from the incident are accurate. This review process includes verifying statements, documenting all elements of the crash, and ensuring compliance with department standards.

Steps to Request or Track a Report via BuyCrash:

• Go to https://buycrash.lexisnexisrisk.com
  • Select State: California
  • Select Jurisdiction: El Segundo Police Department
  • Click Start Search
    • Enter the following details:
    • Report Number: e.g., 12-3456T (you must include the “T”)
    • Last Name
    • Date of Incident
    • Click Search

If the report is not yet available, a message will appear:

No results found. Please note that it can take several days for the agency to complete a report. If you would like to be notified when the report is available, please click HERE.

Direct Requests to El Segundo Police Department
The department provides the following reports directly:

• Traffic crash reports for collisions involving juveniles
  • Traffic crash reports for DUI-related collisions
  • Traffic crash reports for fatal accidents
  • Incident reports
  • Information exchanges

Requests from LexisNexis: Authorization for release of information from the insured party is required before any report is released.

10. Additional Guidance for the Public

• Body-worn or dash camera footage: Unless otherwise required by state law, body worn camera footage and dash camera footage are not subject to disclosure pursuant to a Public Records Act request. Instead, a subpoena is required and should be submitted to the City Clerk's Office at City Hall.
• Language Accessibility: Assistance may be requested for translation or accessibility if English is not the requester’s primary language.

11. Contact
For questions about record requests, fees, or procedures, contact the El Segundo Police Department Records Division at (310) 524-2215 or allrecords@elsegundo.org.