Records and Evidence

Records Unit

The Records Unit maintains all police reports completed by our officers in addition to body-worn and in-car camera videos, and investigative case files. In a typical year, the Records unit processes more than 660 case files, 2,000 warrants, and 10,000 traffic and criminal citations. The Records Unit is responsible for assisting citizens with obtaining copies of police reports (both criminal and collision reports), managing much of the department's paperwork flow, collecting parking violation payments, and tracking transport and extradition reimbursements.

Open Records

Police records are accessible to the public for the retrieval of information. The Paducah Police Department adheres to the provisions of KRS 61.870-61.884 for the acceptance and dissemination of records. Pursuant to KRS 61.872, public records are open to inspection by any resident of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

In accordance with State Law, if you would like to inspect or obtain a copy of a record, you must submit your request in writing. Your request must be signed, have your name printed legibly, and describe the records to be inspected. Although not required, as a convenience, you may use the Open Records Request Form for submitting your request. 

Once your request is received, you will receive a response within 5 business days notifying you of the status of your request.

Written requests may be hand-delivered, mailed, sent via facsimile, or sent via email to our records custodian, Records Manager Amy Travis.

Contact:

Online Report Retrieval 

 

TRAFFIC COLLISION REPORTS 

Copies of collision reports can be obtained in person at the Police Department or via the internet at Buy Crash.  Only persons involved in an incident may obtain a copy of the report.

You will need to enter:

• State
• Jurisdiction (Paducah Police Department)
• Last Name
• Date of Incident

You will also need to enter one of the following:

• Report Number for the incident given to you by the officer
• Badge Number of the Reporting Officer
• Driver's License Number

 

CRIMINAL REPORTS 

Copies of criminal reports can be obtained in person at the Police Department. Some criminal reports can be obtained through the internet at Buy Crimes.  Individuals will need the case number and report date.  If you are unable to access your report, please contact the Records Unit at the number above.  There is a fee for accessing reports online.  A report that references multiple victims may not be available online.   

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Report Fees

Type of Report	Report Fee
Copies of Traffic Collision Reports	$5.00 each through the Paducah Police Department $10.00 each through Buy Crash
Copies of Criminal Reports	$1.00 each (free for victims) through the Paducah Police Department $10.00 each through Buy Crimes
Copies of Videotapes/DVDs	$25.00 each
Copies of photo CDs	$10.00 each
Copies of Audiotapes	$5.00 each
Copies of Large Files	$1.00 + an additional charge of 0.10 cents per page

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Evidence Unit

The Evidence Unit is responsible for the security and accountability of all evidence and property seized by the Paducah Police Department's sworn officers.  The unit maintains approximately 13,000 items of evidential value and conducts random quarterly audits to maintain the integrity of the system.  

Each year, the Evidence Unit logs more than 3000 new pieces of evidence with approximately the same number of items eliminated and disposed of through court-ordered release or destruction. 

The Evidence Unit releases forfeited firearms to the Kentucky State Police.  By State statute, the KSP takes the guns and resells them to licensed gun dealers.  The funds that are generated go toward the purchase of bulletproof vests.  Like many evidence rooms, the Paducah Police Department does not keep any seized money on the premises.  It is deposited into a bank until it is court-ordered to be returned or forfeited for use by the Police Department.

The duties for the Evidence Unit include

• Storage of evidence and recovered property
• Returning recovered property to owners or other investigating agencies
• Maintaining records on all evidence and recovered property
• Submitting evidence for analysis
• Transporting evidence to various labs and court proceedings
• Disposing of evidence following final disposition by the courts
• Managing in-car video systems for police cruisers.