Surprise Arizona Arrest Records

Surprise recent arrest records are held by the Surprise Police Department. This fast growing city in the northwest valley has its own police force handling law enforcement. When Surprise officers arrest someone, the person gets booked into the Maricopa County jail. You can search for current inmates through the county system online. For police reports and arrest case files from Surprise PD, you need to submit a public records request. The city uses an online portal for requests. This page covers how to find arrest data in Surprise and what to expect when requesting records.

Surprise Police Department Arrest Records

The Surprise Police Department handles law enforcement for the city. Officers patrol streets, respond to calls, and arrest people who break the law. Each arrest creates a record in the police system. The records division manages these files and processes public requests.

Police headquarters is at 14250 W. Statler Plaza in Surprise. Call (623) 222-4000 for general police matters. The non emergency line is 623-583-1085. Staff can direct you to the right unit for records requests. Surprise has grown fast in recent years, and the police department has grown with it.

The Surprise Public Records Requests page explains how to get police records. You can submit requests online through the city portal. This covers arrest reports, incident files, and other police documents.

The city public records page shows how to submit requests for Surprise police records including arrest reports.

Surprise Arrest Clearance Letter

The Surprise Police Department offers a Letter of Clearance service. This letter shows whether you have any arrest records with Surprise PD. The fee is $10 for a clearance letter. You can only request one for yourself. The department will not run checks on other people.

The clearance letter only covers Surprise police records. It does not include arrests by other cities or the county sheriff. If you need a full state check, you must go through Arizona DPS. That process requires fingerprints and takes longer.

People use clearance letters for job applications, background checks, and rental applications. The letter shows potential employers that you have no arrest history with Surprise police. Keep in mind the limited scope when deciding if this meets your needs.

Maricopa County Holds Surprise Jail Bookings

Surprise does not run its own city jail for extended holding. When Surprise police arrest someone, the booking goes through the Maricopa County jail system. The county sheriff operates multiple jail facilities in the metro area. New bookings typically start at 4th Avenue Jail in Phoenix.

You can search for Surprise arrests on the Maricopa County Inmate Information page. This free database shows current inmates. Enter the person's last name, first name, and date of birth to search. Format the date as YYYYMMDD. Results include the arresting agency, which shows if Surprise made the arrest.

The county search only shows people currently in custody. Released inmates drop from the database. For historical Surprise arrest records, contact the Surprise Police records unit. They maintain files on past arrests made by their officers.

Note: Booking data takes a few hours to appear after arrest while staff complete intake paperwork.

Arizona Public Records Law in Surprise

Surprise arrest records fall under Arizona public records law. Under A.R.S. § 39-121, public records must be open for inspection during office hours. You do not need to state why you want the records. This applies to police reports and arrest files held by the department.

Some details get removed before release. Under A.R.S. § 41-4172, agencies redact dates of birth, social security numbers, and home addresses. Surprise PD follows these rules when releasing records. The redaction protects privacy while still allowing access to basic arrest information.

Processing times depend on request complexity. Simple requests for one arrest report often get handled within 10 business days. Requests for video footage or multiple files take longer due to review and redaction requirements.

How to Get Surprise Arrest Records

Getting arrest records from Surprise requires a formal request. The police department does not release arrest details over the phone. Submit your request through one of the approved methods.

The online portal is the easiest way. Go to the city website and find the public records request form. Fill it out with details about the record you need. Include dates, names, and any case numbers you have. The more specific you are, the faster staff can find your records. You can track status through the portal.

In person requests work too. Visit police headquarters at 14250 W. Statler Plaza during business hours. Bring ID and be ready to complete a form. Staff can check if the record exists and estimate the cost. Payment is due when copies are ready.

Mail requests take the longest. Send your written request to Surprise Police Department, 14250 W. Statler Plaza, Surprise, AZ 85374. Include contact information so staff can reach you about fees and pickup options.

Seal Surprise Arrest Records

Arizona law allows sealing of certain arrest records. Under A.R.S. § 13-911, you can seal arrests that did not lead to charges. You can seal dismissed cases. You can seal some convictions after waiting periods pass. This applies to Surprise arrests like any other in Arizona.

Waiting periods vary by crime type. Class 2 and 3 felonies require 10 years. Class 4 through 6 felonies need 5 years. Class 1 misdemeanors have a 3 year wait. Class 2 and 3 misdemeanors only need 2 years. After sealing, you can legally say the arrest never happened on job and housing applications.

Sealing is not the same as expungement. The record still exists. Law enforcement can still see it. But it gets hidden from most public searches and background checks. Talk to an attorney if you have an old Surprise arrest you want sealed.

Nearby Arizona Cities

Surprise sits in the far northwest part of metro Phoenix. Several other cities are nearby. Each runs its own police department with separate records systems. Contact each city individually to get their arrest records.

• Peoria - southeast of Surprise
• Glendale - south of Surprise
• Phoenix - southeast across the valley
• Goodyear - south of Surprise
• Buckeye - southwest of Surprise

All of these cities use Maricopa County jail for bookings. The county inmate search covers all agencies in the county. If you are unsure which city made the arrest, check the county system first.

Surprise Arrest Status Notifications

Crime victims can get alerts when an offender's custody status changes. The Arizona VINE system provides this service free of charge. Register at VINELink to receive updates by phone, text, or email.

VINE covers inmates across Arizona, including those arrested by Surprise police and held in Maricopa County jail. You get notified when someone is released, transferred, or escapes. The system runs around the clock. Call 1-800-247-9763 if you need help registering or have questions about the service.

Contact Surprise Police Records

Reach Surprise Police for questions about arrest records in the city. Staff can help with request status, available records, and fee information.

Headquarters address is 14250 W. Statler Plaza, Surprise, AZ 85374. General police line is (623) 222-4000. Non emergency calls go to 623-583-1085. Use the city website public records portal for submitting requests online.

For current inmates after a Surprise arrest, contact Maricopa County Sheriff. Main number is (602) 876-1000. Jail line is (602) 876-0322. County staff handle custody questions and visitation scheduling.