Hialeah City Police Blotter Records show the day-to-day work of police officers in Hialeah, Florida. The Hialeah Police Department creates a blotter entry every time an officer answers a call, makes an arrest, or finishes a traffic crash report.
Residents, lawyers, insurance companies, and reporters can ask for copies of these records under Florida public records law. The page below covers what the blotter holds, how to search for a record, what fees apply, and who to contact for help.
What Hialeah Police Blotter Records Cover
Hialeah Police Blotter Records give a written account of police work inside the city. Officers fill out a report after every call, arrest, crash, or crime scene. Each entry has a date, a time, a street address, the names of people involved, and a short story of what happened. The blotter helps residents check past events, helps lawyers build cases, and helps insurance firms settle claims.
Daily Incident Reports
Daily incident reports form the core of the police blotter. One report covers one call or event. Officers write the date, time, and street where the event took place. They list the people involved, any victims, and any witnesses. The narrative section explains what the officer saw and what steps were taken at the scene. Most daily reports become public once the case closes or a set period of time passes.
Arrest and Booking Logs
Arrest logs show every person taken into custody by Hialeah officers. Each booking log has the arrestee full name, date of birth, charges filed, and bond amount. The log also lists the booking date and the facility where the person was held. The Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department runs the official booking database for the county jail system. Current inmates appear on the county inmate search page with booking photos and charges.
Traffic Crash Reports
Traffic crash reports cover car, motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian crashes inside Hialeah city limits. Florida law keeps crash reports sealed for 60 days after the crash date. After the 60 days pass, anyone can buy a copy. The report lists the drivers, passengers, vehicles, road conditions, weather, and a diagram of the crash site. Insurance firms rely on these reports to settle claims and assign fault.
Case File Documents
Case files hold extra paperwork from longer investigations. Files can have supplemental reports, detective notes, witness statements, evidence logs, and lab results. Active case files stay sealed until the case closes, charges are dropped, or a court order opens the file. Closed case files can be opened to the public, with private details redacted. Redacted sections include Social Security numbers, juvenile names, and victim details in sex cases.
How to Search Hialeah Police Records
You can search Hialeah police records in four main ways. The best path depends on how fast you need the record, the type of record, and your location. Most people start with a phone call to the records division to check what is on file. You can also go in person, send a written request, or use a state online portal for crash reports that are past the 60-day hold.
Online Database Search
Hialeah does not run a full online blotter search for the public at this time. For traffic crash reports, the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department runs the state crash portal at services.flhsmv.gov. After the 60-day hold ends, you can buy a crash report there for $10 plus a $2 online portal fee. For all other record types, you must contact Hialeah Police directly through phone, mail, or in-person visits.
Phone Search Requests
Call the Hialeah Police Department at 305-687-2525 during business hours. The records staff can tell you what they have on file for a date, location, or name. They will ask for the date of the event, the street address, and the full names of anyone involved. Phone requests work well for simple lookups and fee questions. Some record types must be asked for in writing before staff can release a copy.
In-Person Records Search
You can visit the Hialeah Police Department at 5555 East 25th Avenue, Hialeah, FL 33013. The records window is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Bring a photo ID and any details you have about the case. In-person visits let staff search the system and print records on the spot for simple requests. The waiting time depends on the line and the complexity of the search.
Mail and Written Requests
You can mail a written records request to the Hialeah Police Department Records Division at the headquarters address. Your letter should list your full name, mailing address, phone number, and a clear description of the record you need. Add the date, location, and case number if you have it. Mail requests take longer to process but work well for out-of-town requesters, attorneys, and people who cannot visit in person.
Documents Needed for a Records Request
Hialeah Police asks for some basic facts before staff can pull a record. The more details you give, the faster staff can find the right file. Some record types also need a sworn form before the department can release a copy. A list of common request details and forms appears below.
Basic Request Details
Write down the date of the event, the street address, and the full names of anyone involved. A case number or report number speeds up the search. If you do not know these details, give a date range and a general location. Staff can then narrow down the search from there. Vague requests that cover long date ranges can lead to higher service fees because of the extra search time.
Government ID Requirements
For in-person pickup, bring a valid photo ID such as a driver license, state ID, or passport. The ID proves you are the person who asked for the record. For mail requests, include a clear photocopy of your ID with your letter. The department does not release records to a third party without written consent from the original requester. Consent letters must have a signature and a date.
Crash Report Affidavit Form
During the 60-day hold on crash reports, only certain people can get a copy. Authorized parties include drivers, passengers, legal representatives, and insurance companies. You must fill out form HSMV-94010, a sworn affidavit that says you have a legal right to the report. Submitting this form without proof is a third-degree felony under Florida law. The form is on the FLHSMV website.
Fees for Hialeah Police Records
Hialeah Police follows the state fee rules set by Florida law. The fees pay for paper, copying, and staff time. Most simple requests cost only a few dollars. Large requests that need many hours of search time can cost more. The table below lists the common fees for the most-requested record types.
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single-sided paper copy | $0.15 per page |
| Double-sided paper copy | $0.20 per page |
| Certified copy add-on | $1 per page |
| CD or DVD copy | $1 per disc |
| State crash report online | $10 plus $2 portal fee |
| Service charge over 15 min | Hourly staff rate |
Standard Copy Charges
Paper copies cost $0.15 for each single-sided page. Double-sided pages cost $0.20 each. Certified copies add $1 per page on top of the copy fee. A copy of a record on a CD or DVD costs $1 per disc. The department gives you a written cost estimate before making copies so there are no surprise bills at the window.
Service and Labor Fees
If a request takes more than 15 minutes of staff time, the department can charge a service fee. The fee is based on the hourly pay of the lowest paid staff member who can do the work, plus benefits. Large searches across many files can run into hundreds of dollars. You will get a written estimate before staff start the search, and you can choose to narrow the request to lower the cost.
Payment Methods Accepted
The records window takes cash, money orders, business checks, and credit cards. Credit cards have a small processing fee, often 2 to 3 percent of the total. Personal checks are not always accepted. Call ahead to confirm what payment types the window takes on the day you plan to visit. Mail requests should include a money order or business check to avoid delays.
Florida Public Records Law and Hialeah
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says any person can see and copy public records made or held by government agencies. Hialeah Police must follow this law for all blotter records unless a specific exemption applies. The law exists to keep government actions open to the people.
Chapter 119 Explained
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes gives every person the right to inspect and copy public records. The law covers state, county, and city agencies, including police departments. Agencies must answer records requests during regular business hours. They can charge fees but cannot turn away a requester based on the ability to pay. Requesters also do not have to say why they want the record.
Records That Stay Confidential
Some police records are exempt from public release. Section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes lists the exemptions. Active criminal investigations stay sealed. Victim names in sex offense cases are protected. Home addresses, phone numbers, and personal details of sworn officers are exempt. Hialeah Police redacts exempt sections before releasing the rest of the record. The redacted copy shows what the law allows the public to see.
What to Do If Your Request Is Denied
If Hialeah Police denies a records request, you can ask for the denial in writing. The letter must cite the exact Florida law that allows the denial. You can then file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General open government mediation program at 850-245-0140. The Attorney General can step in and help solve the dispute at no cost. You can also hire a lawyer and file a civil action in court.
Hialeah vs Miami-Dade Police Records
Hialeah sits inside Miami-Dade County. The city has its own police force, and the county has a separate police force for unincorporated areas. Knowing which agency handled the call is the first step to getting the right record. The two agencies run separate records systems and charge separate fees.
City Limits and Agency Coverage
The Hialeah Police Department covers all events inside Hialeah city limits. The city limits stretch from Miami International Airport to the north, Miami Lakes to the south, and parts of unincorporated Miami-Dade to the east and west. If the event happened inside these lines, Hialeah Police is the right agency to contact. A quick look at a Miami-Dade County map can show the exact city line.
County-Level Police Reports
Miami-Dade Police handles events in unincorporated parts of the county and in smaller cities that do not run their own police force. If the event happened outside Hialeah city limits, you may need to contact Miami-Dade Police Records. The county police run their own records system and charge their own fees. The county headquarters is in Doral, and records requests go through the Miami-Dade Police Records Bureau.
Contact Hialeah Police Department
The Hialeah Police Department is the main contact for all city blotter records. The headquarters sits on East 25th Avenue, a few blocks west of the Palmetto Expressway. The building is open to the public for records requests during normal business hours. For non-emergency calls, dial 305-687-2525. For emergencies, always dial 911.
Address: 5555 East 25th Avenue, Hialeah, FL 33013
Phone: 305-687-2525
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Website: hialeahfl.gov
Crash Reports: hialeahfl.gov/359/Traffic-Crash-Reports
State Crash Portal: services.flhsmv.gov/CrashReportPurchasing
Common Questions About Hialeah Police Blotter Records
Many people ask the same questions about Hialeah police records. The answers below cover the most common calls and emails the records division receives. They reflect current Florida law and Hialeah Police policy as of 2026. If your question is not listed, call the records division during business hours for personal help.
How long does it take to get a police blotter record?
Simple requests are often ready the same day you ask. In-person visits for basic incident reports can be filled in minutes at the records window. Phone requests that need a system search take one to three business days. Mail requests take about five to ten business days based on mail delivery. Large requests that need legal review for exempt material can take several weeks. The records division gives you a timeline when you file the request. If a delay happens, staff must tell you in writing and give a new date.
Are Hialeah police blotter records free to view?
Viewing records at the police department is free. You can sit at the records window and read paper files at no charge. The fee only applies when you ask for copies. Each copied page costs $0.15 for single-sided or $0.20 for double-sided prints. Certified copies add $1 per page. Service fees apply if staff spend more than 15 minutes on the search. You can always narrow a request to stay under the 15-minute mark.
Can I search Hialeah police records by name?
You can ask the records division to search for arrests by name. The Miami-Dade County jail roster is online and lets you search current inmates by name. For older arrest records, you must contact Hialeah Police or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. FDLE runs a statewide criminal history search at fdle.state.fl.us for a small fee. The search returns Florida arrests only, not federal or out-of-state records.
What is the 60-day hold on crash reports?
Florida Statute 316.066 seals crash reports for 60 days after the crash. Only drivers, passengers, their lawyers, and insurance companies can see the report during that time. The rule protects the people involved from public sharing of crash details. After 60 days, anyone can buy the report through the state crash portal or the police department. Sharing the report during the 60-day window without a right to it is a third-degree felony.
Can I get a copy of an arrest record from Hialeah?
Yes. Arrest records become public after the booking is complete and the case moves forward. You can call the records division or go in person to ask for a copy. You will need the arrestee full name and the date of arrest. Hialeah Police charges the standard copy fees for each page. The Miami-Dade Corrections Department also posts current inmates online with booking photos and charges.
How do I report a mistake in a police blotter record?
Bring your copy to the Hialeah Police records division and ask for a correction review. Staff will check the original officer report and any supplemental paperwork. If there is a real error, the department will issue a corrected copy at no charge. For errors in court records, contact the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts. Insurance companies often accept corrected copies for claims. The original report stays on file with a note about the correction.
Are juvenile records in Hialeah available to the public?
No. Florida law seals most juvenile arrest and court records. Only the juvenile, their parents or guardians, their lawyer, and certain agencies can see the file. The records do not appear on background checks. Expunged juvenile records are destroyed and cannot be released at all. Adult records that started as juvenile cases follow different rules and may be open once the person turns 24. Each request for a juvenile record must go through a judge.