Tangipahoa Parish Police Records

Police records for Tangipahoa Parish are held by the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office, based in Hammond, and by the various city police departments throughout the parish. This page covers how to request police reports and related public records in Tangipahoa Parish, along with state-level resources for background checks and crash reports.

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office is located at 15475 Club Deluxe Road, Hammond, LA 70403. Their main phone is (985) 345-6150. The Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated Tangipahoa Parish and handles records for all incidents worked by its deputies. You can also check their website at tangisheriff.com for current information about services and contacts.

Note that the Sheriff's physical address is in Hammond, not Amite (the parish seat). If you need to visit in person, the Hammond location is where the main administrative offices are. For records related to incidents in Amite or other towns, call first to confirm which location handles that paperwork.

Requests can be submitted in person or by mail. Bring a valid photo ID for in-person visits. Mailed requests should include the subject's name, date of birth, incident date, location, case number if known, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow at least three to five business days for processing under Louisiana's Public Records Act.

Hammond and Other Cities

Hammond is the largest city in Tangipahoa Parish and has its own police department, the Hammond Police Department. Police records for incidents within Hammond city limits are handled by that department, not the Sheriff's Office. If you need a report from an incident in Hammond, contact the Hammond Police Department directly.

Other towns in Tangipahoa Parish, including Amite, Ponchatoula, and Independence, also have municipal police departments. Incidents in those areas are handled by the local department. When you are not sure which agency worked a call, the Sheriff's Office can usually tell you over the phone.

Clerk of Court

Court records for Tangipahoa Parish are held by the Clerk of Court at 110 North Bay Street, Amite, LA 70422, phone (985) 748-4146. The Clerk maintains criminal case files, civil court records, and docket information for all cases filed in the 21st Judicial District Court.

Under La. R.S. 44:1, court records are generally public. You can review them in person at the Clerk's office at no charge. Copies carry a per-page fee. Written requests must receive a response within three business days. Note that police incident reports are different from court records; if charges were never filed, the Clerk may not have a record of the arrest.

Background Checks and Criminal History

Louisiana restricts access to criminal history records. Under La. R.S. 15:587, the Louisiana State Police do not release full criminal history to the public. A formal background check must go through the LSP Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information at 7919 Independence Blvd, Baton Rouge, (225) 925-6095.

The cost is $36: $31 for the check plus $5 in fees. Start the process at the LSP background check service page. If you need fingerprint-based checks, those are also available through the LSP. The LSP fingerprints page has details on how to submit prints and what to expect.

If you believe your record has errors, you have the right to challenge it under La. R.S. 15:588. The LSP's dispute process allows you to request a review and correction of your record. This applies to anyone whose data is on file with the state.

Crash Reports in Tangipahoa Parish

Tangipahoa Parish sits along I-55 and I-12, two high-traffic corridors where Louisiana State Police troopers frequently work crashes. Reports from those troopers can be ordered through the LSP crash reports service for $11.50. Reports are available 15 days after the crash. Fatal crash reports require a 60-day wait and in-person pickup at an LSP office.

Crashes handled by the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office are requested at the Sheriff's location on Club Deluxe Road in Hammond. For crashes in Hammond or another city, go to the relevant city police department. Always note the date, location, and parties involved before making your request; that information helps the agency find the right report faster.

Public Records Exemptions

Some records will not be released. La. R.S. 44:3 allows agencies to withhold records tied to active investigations, information that could affect a pending prosecution, and data that would identify informants. Juvenile records are restricted across the board in Louisiana. If your request is denied, the agency must put the reason in writing and cite the specific law.

A denial is not necessarily final. You can push back with a follow-up request or seek help from a legal aid group. Many denials stem from a misapplication of the exemptions, and a clear letter clarifying what you are asking for sometimes resolves the issue without legal action.

DOC Offender Database

The Louisiana Department of Corrections maintains a public database of state prison offenders. Access it at the DOC public information page. This covers only people with state sentences; local Tangipahoa Parish Jail records are held by the Sheriff's Office. For current inmate information at the parish jail, contact the Sheriff at (985) 345-6150 or check the Sheriff's website for any posted roster.

Nearby Parishes

Tangipahoa Parish borders four other parishes where similar records processes apply through the local sheriff and clerk of court.