Southampton Police Blotter Lookup

Southampton has two separate police agencies: the Southampton Town Police Department and the Southampton Village Police Department. Police blotter records and incident reports come from whichever agency responded to the call. Both departments follow New York's Freedom of Information Law for public records requests. If you need a report or want to look up blotter data in Southampton, this page walks you through how to contact the right department, what information you need to provide, and how the FOIL request process works in Suffolk County.

Suffolk County Records

Southampton is in Suffolk County. County-level records, including records from the Suffolk County Police Department (which covers some areas of the town), the District Attorney, and county courts, are maintained separately. For county-level police blotter access and related records, visit the Suffolk County page.

View Suffolk County Records

Southampton Police Departments

Two separate departments cover Southampton. The Southampton Town Police Department handles most of the town's geographic area. The Southampton Village Police Department covers the incorporated Village of Southampton. Know which department responded to the incident before you call to save time.

Southampton Town Police Department provides online access to FOIL requests and crash reports through their website at southamptontownnypolice.gov. Their main numbers are 631-702-2220 and 631-728-5000, with a fax at 631-728-5440. Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman can be reached at 631-283-6055 or jschneiderman@southamptontownny.gov. Town Supervisor's Office is at 116 Hampton Road, Southampton, NY 11968, open Monday through Friday, 8:15 AM to 4:15 PM.

The Town Clerk Sundy A. Schermeyer serves as Records Management Officer and administers FOIL for all town records. Reach her at 631-287-5740 or townclerk@southamptontownny.gov. The Town Clerk's Office is at 200 Howell Avenue, Southampton, NY 11901. She is the custodian of all town records and handles FOIL requests that guarantee the public's right to know the workings of government.

Both departments maintain separate records systems. A FOIL request sent to the Town Police will not produce Village Police records, and vice versa. If you are unsure which agency responded to a specific incident, call the non-emergency number for each and describe the incident date and location.

How to Search the Southampton Police Blotter

The Southampton Town Police Department offers online access to FOIL requests and crash reports through their website. Their Form Center has downloadable FOIL request forms that cover most records types. Start there if you need a report and can access it digitally.

For in-person requests, visit the appropriate department during business hours. Bring valid photo ID. If you have the report number, have it ready. For crash reports specifically, these may be available online a few days after the incident through the Town Police portal.

For the Village Police Department, non-emergency inquiries go to (631) 283-0083 or info@southamptonvillagepolice.gov. A downloadable FOIL request form is available on the Village Police website. The form must be filled out and mailed to: Southampton Village Police Department, ATTN: Freedom of Information Officer, 151 Windmill Lane, Southampton, NY 11968.

Complainant names submitted for code enforcement complaints are kept confidential and will not be released even if a FOIL request is made. Anonymous complaints are accepted and investigated. For non-FOIL code complaints, call 631-702-1700 or visit Town Hall (Lower Level), 116 Hampton Road, Southampton, NY 11968.

FOIL Requests in Southampton

New York's Freedom of Information Law, Public Officers Law §87 et seq., allows members of the public to access records of government agencies including police departments. Both Southampton departments follow this law.

For Southampton Village Police FOIL requests, mail your written request to: Southampton Village Police Department, ATTN: Freedom of Information Officer, 151 Windmill Lane, Southampton, New York 11968. The department returns the original copy to you as a response or provides an interim response within five business days of receipt. If denied, you have 30 days to appeal in writing to the Office of the Chief of Police at the same address. The business phone for FOIL is (631) 283-0056. Appeal responses come within 10 business days.

For Southampton Town Police FOIL requests, use the online portal at southamptontownnypolice.gov or download the request form from the Form Center. The form requires you to certify that the records will not be used for solicitation or fundraising, that you will not constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, and that you will indemnify the Town against damages from unauthorized use. The Town Clerk at 631-287-5740 can also assist.

Standard copy fees are $0.25 per page for documents. Electronic delivery is often available at no charge. For guidance on the statewide FOIL process, see opengovernment.ny.gov.

Types of Police Blotter Records in Southampton

Both Southampton departments keep similar categories of records. Here is what is typically available and how to request each type.

Incident reports cover all calls for service. Parties involved get copies directly. Third parties need FOIL. Reports tied to active investigations may be withheld in part.

Crash reports are available online through the Town Police portal or by contacting the Records Unit. Involved parties can pick up copies in person. Non-involved parties need a FOIL request. Standard copy fee applies.

Arrest records are public once charges are filed. They list the charge, booking date, and defendant information. Juvenile records are restricted.

Blotter summaries may be posted on department websites or provided on request. Local Suffolk County media often publishes Southampton arrest and incident summaries. Check the Town Police website for current postings.

Complaint and personnel records for officers became more accessible after 2020 under changes to state law. These require a FOIL request and may be subject to partial redaction depending on the status of any related proceedings.

Additional Resources

The Suffolk County Police Department covers some areas of Southampton town that fall under their jurisdiction. Their records are separate from town and village police records. For incidents on state highways, New York State Police Troop E may hold those records. Submit State Police FOIL requests online at troopers.ny.gov/foil-requests or by mail to the Central Record Bureau in Albany. The State Police fee is $15.00 per incident report.

The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office handles prosecutions for cases originating in Southampton. Their records may be available through the DA's office or county courts once a case is resolved. The New York State Courts website at nycourts.gov offers case lookup tools for Supreme Court and other courts. The Committee on Open Government at opengovernment.ny.gov provides free guidance on FOIL rights and procedures statewide.

Nearby Cities

Looking for police blotter records in other Suffolk County communities?

• Brookhaven
• Islip
• Huntington
• Babylon