St. Tammany Parish Police Records Search

Police records in St. Tammany Parish are primarily handled by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, which serves the largest parish by land area on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain. This page explains where to find police records, how to submit a request, and what resources are available for residents of St. Tammany Parish.

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office is located at 300 Brownswitch Road, Slidell, LA 70458. Their main number is (985) 276-1000. The Sheriff's Office maintains law enforcement records for incidents worked by parish deputies across St. Tammany Parish, which covers a large area including both the Covington and Slidell areas. You can visit their website at stpsheriff.com for service details and contact information.

The Sheriff's Office administrative location in Slidell is convenient for residents in the eastern part of the parish. However, the parish seat is Covington, where the Clerk of Court and main courthouse are located. Depending on the type of record you need, you may need to visit one or both of these locations.

Requests can be submitted in person during normal business hours or by mail. Include a photo ID if coming in person. Mail requests should state clearly what record you need, the approximate date and location of the incident, the subject's name and date of birth, any case number, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow at least three to five business days for a response.

Cities in St. Tammany Parish

St. Tammany Parish includes several cities and towns with their own police departments. Slidell is the largest city in the parish and has its own police department that handles records for incidents within city limits. The Slidell Police Department is a separate agency from the Sheriff's Office, so crash reports and incident reports within Slidell should be requested there.

Other municipalities such as Covington, Mandeville, Bogalusa (in Washington Parish), and Madisonville have their own law enforcement. Check which agency worked the incident before submitting a request. The Sheriff's Office can tell you if the call was handled by deputies or a city agency.

Clerk of Court

The St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court is at 701 North Columbia Street, Covington, LA 70433, phone (985) 809-8700. The Clerk of Court manages case files, criminal dockets, civil records, and related court documents. These are distinct from police incident reports but contain information about charges, hearings, and case outcomes.

Louisiana's Public Records Act at La. R.S. 44:1 makes most court records available to the public. Inspection of records at the Clerk's office is free; copies carry a per-page fee. The Clerk must respond to a written request within three business days. If you need a certified copy of a judgment or other court document, contact the Clerk's office to ask about fees and turnaround time.

Criminal History Background Checks

Criminal history records in Louisiana are not publicly released by the state. Under La. R.S. 15:587, full rap sheets are restricted to law enforcement and other specifically authorized users. To get a background check on yourself, contact the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information.

The LSP is at 7919 Independence Blvd, Baton Rouge, (225) 925-6095. The cost is $36 total: $31 for the search plus a $5 fee. See the LSP background check page for how to apply. Fingerprint-based checks are also available through the LSP for situations that require a more thorough review. Details are on the LSP fingerprints and background checks page.

If your record has errors, you can challenge it under La. R.S. 15:588. This right to review applies to any person whose criminal history is on file with the state. The LSP has a formal process for reviewing and correcting disputed information.

Crash Reports

St. Tammany Parish sees high traffic volume on I-10, I-12, and other major routes. Crashes worked by Louisiana State Police troopers on these roads can be ordered through the LSP crash reports service for $11.50. Reports are available at least 15 days after the crash date. Fatal crashes have a 60-day hold and must be picked up in person at an LSP location.

If the crash was handled by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, request the report from them at (985) 276-1000. Crashes in Slidell that were handled by the Slidell Police Department go through that department. When ordering a crash report, have the date, location, and the names of drivers involved ready. That information speeds up the search.

Public Records Exemptions

Not all police records are public. La. R.S. 44:3 lets agencies hold back records if releasing them could hinder an active investigation, compromise a future prosecution, or reveal the identity of a confidential source. Juvenile records are exempt statewide. If a request is denied, the agency must tell you in writing which law they are relying on.

You can appeal a denial. Legal aid organizations in Louisiana can help you understand whether a denial is lawful and how to push back if it is not. The process does not require a lawyer, but one can help if the matter is complex or if the records are important.

DOC and Offender Databases

The Louisiana Department of Corrections offender database covers people serving or having served state prison sentences. You can search it through the DOC public information page. For local jail bookings in St. Tammany Parish, contact the Sheriff's Office directly or check whether an inmate roster is posted on their website.

Nearby Parishes

St. Tammany Parish borders several parishes on the north shore and along the Mississippi border.