Search Hempstead Police Blotter
Hempstead police blotter records are handled by the Village of Hempstead Police Department, with FOIL requests processed through the Village Clerk's Office. If you need an incident report, arrest record, or other police record from Hempstead, you can submit a request online or by mail to the Records Access Officer at Village Hall. The Village of Hempstead is in Nassau County and has its own police department separate from the Nassau County Police Department, so most local incident records stay with the village rather than the county.
Hempstead Overview
Nassau County and Hempstead Records
Hempstead sits in Nassau County on Long Island. The Town of Hempstead is the largest township in New York State by population. It covers a wide area with dozens of villages and hamlets. The Village of Hempstead has its own incorporated government and its own police force. Nassau County Police handles areas outside incorporated villages, but within the Village of Hempstead, the local department handles patrol and records.
For incidents that took place in areas of the Town of Hempstead not covered by a village police force, contact Nassau County Police. For Village of Hempstead incidents, go to the village directly. Both Nassau County and the Village maintain separate FOIL processes. Court records from cases in Hempstead can be accessed through the Nassau County Clerk's Office or the state court system at nycourts.gov.
Hempstead Police Records Bureau
The Village of Hempstead Police Department operates the Police Records and License Bureau. This office handles taxicab licensing, police records requests, and FOIL submissions for village records. For FOIL requests, the Clerk's Office acts as the primary point of contact and routes requests to the appropriate records access officer.
| Agency | Village of Hempstead Police Department |
|---|---|
| Village Hall Address | 99 James A Garner Way, Hempstead, NY 11550 |
| FOIL Email | foil@villageofhempsteadny.gov |
| FOIL Fax | (516) 478-6599 |
| Town Clerk (Town of Hempstead) | (516) 489-5000 |
| Town Clerk Email | townclerk@tohmail.org |
| Copy Fee | $0.25 per page |
| Processing Time | Up to 20 business days; acknowledgment within 5 days |
When submitting a FOIL request to the village, you can send it by email, fax, or mail to the Records Access Officer at Village Hall. The form asks for your name, contact details, and a specific description of the records you want. Include the address or location, date, time frame, and any other details that help narrow down the records. The village is only required to provide records that already exist. They won't create new documents to satisfy a request.
How to Get Hempstead Police Blotter Records
Start by deciding which agency holds the records you need. For village incidents, go to the Village of Hempstead. For unincorporated areas of the Town of Hempstead, contact Nassau County Police. Once you know the right agency, submit a written FOIL request.
The Village FOIL form is available at villageofhempstead.org. Fill it out with your name, address, phone number, and a clear description of the record. For police blotter and incident records, provide the incident date, location, and report number if you have it. The more detail you give, the faster the office can locate the record. Deposits may be required for large or complex requests.
Incident reports and accident reports are available to involved parties and the general public subject to FOIL exemptions. Police blotter summaries are routinely public. Some records involving ongoing investigations or personal privacy may be withheld or redacted. You'll get a written notice if anything is denied, along with the reasons and your appeal rights.
After you submit, expect an acknowledgment within five business days per Public Officers Law §89(3). The full response typically comes within 20 business days, though that can extend for complex requests. Electronic delivery is sometimes available and comes at no extra charge compared to paper copies.
FOIL Procedures in Hempstead
New York's Freedom of Information Law, Public Officers Law §84-90, gives residents the right to access government records. The law covers police blotter data, incident reports, use of force records, and similar documentation maintained by local police. The Village of Hempstead Police Department has responded to FOIL requests from organizations like the NYCLU, producing hundreds of records related to disciplinary actions, use of force, and civilian complaints.
Under Public Officers Law §87, agencies can charge up to $0.25 per page for copies not exceeding 9 by 14 inches. Electronic records can be provided at the actual cost of reproduction. If a request requires more than two hours of staff time to locate and prepare records, the agency may charge a search fee based on the hourly salary of the lowest-paid employee with the skills needed for the search.
If your request is denied, you have 30 days to appeal in writing. The appeal goes to the head of the agency or their designee. They have ten business days to respond. If you're still denied after the appeal, you can seek judicial review through an Article 78 proceeding. The NY Committee on Open Government at opengovernment.ny.gov can help you understand your rights or advise on a specific denial.
Types of Records in Hempstead
The Village of Hempstead Police Department maintains police blotter entries, incident reports, accident reports, arrest records, and officer disciplinary files. Accident reports can be requested through the department. Incident reports are available through the FOIL process. Arrest logs and booking information are public unless a case has been sealed.
The Town of Hempstead Clerk's Office also maintains vital records including birth, death, and marriage certificates. You'll need a full name, date of event, place of event, valid photo ID, and proof of relationship to obtain vital records. For criminal history checks, contact the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. Nassau County maintains court records for cases tried in Nassau County courts, separate from village-level records.
Hempstead Police Records Resources
Screenshots from the Hempstead police records and FOIL data sources used for this page:
Legal Help and Resources
Nassau County Legal Aid Society provides free legal services to qualifying residents. They can assist with FOIL appeals and other matters involving public records. The Nassau County Bar Association also has a lawyer referral program if you need an attorney for a more complex records dispute.
The NY Committee on Open Government is the state body that oversees FOIL compliance. They provide advisory opinions and can intercede when agencies improperly deny records. Their contact page at opengovernment.ny.gov explains how to file a complaint if a local agency violates the law. State Police FOIL requests can be submitted at troopers.ny.gov/foil-requests for incidents handled by state troopers in the area.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities in the Hempstead area where police blotter records are available: