Accident/Crash Reports

Please contact the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain records through DMV here: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/general/#records/accident.asp.

If the report is not available through DMV please request it online here.

Freedom of Information Act (Records Request)

Rights of Requester and Responsibilities of the City

The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), located § 2.2-3700 et seq. of the Code of Virginia, guarantees citizens of the Commonwealth and representatives of the media access to public records held by public bodies, public officials, and public employees.

A public record is any writing or recording -- regardless of whether it is a paper record, an electronic file, an audio or video recording, or any other format -- that is prepared or owned by, or in the possession of a public body or its officers, employees or agents in the transaction of public business. All public records are presumed to be open, and may only be withheld if a specific, statutory exemption applies.

The policy of FOIA states that the purpose of FOIA is to promote an increased awareness by all persons of governmental activities. In furthering this policy, FOIA requires that the law be interpreted liberally, in favor of access, and that any exemption allowing public records to be withheld must be interpreted narrowly.

Requesting Records from the Roanoke Police Department:

For your convenience there is an online form available here to request records from the Roanoke Police Department.

You may also contact us at (540) 853-1665 or fax the request to (540) 853-6585. Records can also be requested by mail or in person at the Roanoke Police Department (please note: if making a request in person, the records will not be available at that time).

Click here for additional details regarding your rights as a requester and the City of Roanoke’s responsibility in answering your request including any associated costs.

Records Request Fees and Costs

Requests processed online/phone/email/regular mail

• Incident Report (Full report with narrative) - $13.50 per report
• Crash Report (Crash report with brief summary) -$13.50 per report 
• DVDs* (Video, photographs, etc.) - $4.00 per DVD
  *Note: If you are requesting body worn camera footage or other video/photographic records, there will be an hourly fee added for the cost of record preparation which includes searching, reviewing, and making required redactions. If you would like a cost estimate before your request is processed, please indicate that in your request.

Reports purchased in person at the Roanoke Police Department

• Crash Report (Crash report with brief summary) -$10.00 per report 
• Summary Reports for Insurance (Does not include incident narrative) - $10.00 per summary report  
• Domestic Violence Reports -Page 1 of reports regarding domestic violence will be provided to the victim at no cost

Requesting Records from Other City Departments:

To request records from the City of Roanoke E911 Center (911 call records), click here for more information. 

To request records from other city departments or for general FOIA information you may direct your request to the FOIA Officer for the City of Roanoke, Virginia. The officer can be reached by telephone at (540)853-2470 or by email at [email protected].

In addition, the Freedom of Information Advisory Council is available to answer any questions you may have about FOIA. The Council may be contacted by e-mail at [email protected], or by phone at (804) 225-3056 or [toll free] (866) 448-4100.