Lake Charles Police Records
Lake Charles police records, including crash reports and initial incident reports, are available through the Lake Charles Police Department's Records Division. This page covers how to request records, what fees apply, what types of reports LCPD provides, and where to go for background checks and other records the department does not handle.
Lake Charles Police Records Quick Facts
Lake Charles Police Department
The Lake Charles Police Department is at 830 Enterprise Blvd, Lake Charles, LA 70601. The main line is (337) 491-1456. For Traffic Records specifically, dial extension 5913. For the Records Division on other matters, use extension 5927. The department website is at cityoflakecharles.com. Records Division hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The department is closed on weekends and state holidays.
When you contact the Records Division, be prepared with specific details. The type of report, the date and location of the incident, names of parties involved, and a report number if you have one all help staff pull the right record quickly. LCPD only provides certain types of records, so it is worth reviewing what's available before you go.
| Address | 830 Enterprise Blvd, Lake Charles, LA 70601 |
|---|---|
| Main Phone | (337) 491-1456 |
| Traffic Records | Ext. 5913 |
| Records Division | Ext. 5927 |
| Hours | Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. |
| Website | cityoflakecharles.com |
What Records LCPD Provides
LCPD releases three main types of records. First, crash reports. Second, initial incident reports, but only for burglary, theft, and criminal damage to property cases, and only to persons directly involved in the incident. Third, event and call logs, but only through a formal Public Information Record Request, not as a walk-in service. If the record you need falls outside those categories, LCPD may not be able to help you directly, and you may need to contact the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff or file a formal public records request under La. R.S. 44:1.
Free initial incident reports for burglary, theft, and criminal damage are limited to parties involved in the case. If you are not directly connected to the incident, the free copy provision may not apply. Always call ahead to confirm what you can get and what the current fees are.
Crash Report Fees and How to Get Them
Crash reports are available in person at LCPD for $7.50 per report. Payment must be by money order or business check only, made payable to the City of Lake Charles. Personal checks and cash are not accepted for in-person crash report purchases. If mailing a request, send your payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Traffic Records, 830 Enterprise Blvd, Lake Charles, LA 70601.
You can also get crash reports online. LCPD participates in the LexisNexis crash report system, which covers reports from January 1, 2006 through the present. The online fee is $0.50 as a processing charge. To find your report online, you need either the report number or the last name of a driver plus the date and street name where the crash occurred. Online access is often faster than waiting for a mail response, especially if you need the report quickly for insurance or legal purposes.
Background Checks: Not Available at LCPD
The Lake Charles Police Department does not provide criminal history or background checks. This is an important point to know before you make a trip to the department for that purpose. LCPD's position is that criminal history reports are a state-level function, and they direct all such requests to Louisiana State Police.
For background checks, contact the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information at 7919 Independence Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70806. The phone is (225) 925-6095. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $36. Louisiana is a closed-record state under La. R.S. 15:587, so full criminal history is not public. Individuals can access their own records under La. R.S. 15:588. More information is at lsp.org/services/background-checks and lsp.org.
State Crash Report System
Beyond the LexisNexis option for Lake Charles area crashes, the Louisiana State Police maintains the broader crash reporting system for the state. The LSP Traffic Records Unit page at lsp.org has information on how the system works. State-processed crash reports available online cost $11.50 with a 15-day wait. Fatal reports require in-person request after 60 days. The main crash report service page is at lsp.org/services/crash-reports.
Calcasieu Parish Sheriff
For incidents in unincorporated parts of Calcasieu Parish outside Lake Charles city limits, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office is the correct contact. The CPSO is at 5400 East Broad Street, Lake Charles, LA 70615. The main line is (337) 491-3700. For parish-level records, court filings, and matters that go beyond city police jurisdiction, the Sheriff's Office and the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court handle those requests.
Calcasieu Parish Police Records
Lake Charles is the seat of Calcasieu Parish. For parish-level police records, Sheriff's Office contacts, and court system information, see the Calcasieu Parish page.