Incident Reports give Tucker residents instant access to the exact details of police activity, from thefts and assaults to traffic collisions and suspicious behavior. By entering an incident number, report date, or location into the DeKalb County online portal, anyone can perform an incident report search, incident report lookup, or incident records request without leaving home. The system pulls data directly from the official incident report database, showing report status, case disposition, and involved parties while complying with the Georgia Open Records Act. Whether you need to verify a recent police incident, retrieve a historic case, or confirm that an incident report is public, the lookup tool streamlines the incident report search by number, by date, and by address, delivering accurate incident information in seconds.
Incident Reports also support deeper research through incident report search by location, incident report search by name, and incident report search by case ID, helping users track patterns across neighborhoods or investigate specific events. The portal respects privacy limits, automatically redacting juvenile or confidential details while still providing essential incident description, reporting officer, and investigative status. For those wondering how to request a copy, the same interface guides you through an online request for a certified incident report copy, explains processing times, and clarifies why a report might be unavailable. This transparent, user‑focused approach makes finding and understanding public incident records straightforward for every Tucker citizen.
How to Search Incident Reports
You can search incident reports in DeKalb County through the official county police portal, including obituary records, which pulls data from the police records management system. The portal lets you look up a report by report number, incident date, street address, ZIP code, or incident location. You see report status, case disposition, incident type, reporting agency, and involved parties without setting up an account. Reports that are restricted or redacted display a notice instead of full details.
Official Search Portal: https://dekalbcountyga.gov/departments/public-safety/police/police-services-divisions
Steps to Search
- Open the official DeKalb County Police Department portal using the URL above.
- Click “Police Services Divisions” and then select the Records Division page.
- Pick a search method from the menu: report number, date range, location, ZIP code, or street address.
- Type the matching value into the search field and press the search button.
- Review the list of matching reports showing incident date, incident type, report status, and case disposition.
- Click a report row to view the full incident description, involved parties, and officer details.
- Save the report as a PDF or send a certified copy request if you need an official version.
What Is an Incident Report?
An incident report is a written record created by sworn law enforcement officers to document a specific event reported to or observed by police. It captures the who, what, when, where, and how of the event, along with involved parties, witness details, and officer observations. The report becomes part of the official case file managed by the police records custodian. You can think of it as the primary working document for any police response that does not lead to an immediate arrest.
An “incident” is the event itself, an “offense” is a violation of criminal law linked to that event, and a “case” is the full investigative file tied to a case number. A single incident can produce one report but may carry multiple offense codes under FBI NIBRS standards. Knowing these terms helps you read your report copy with full context.
Incident Report vs. Police Report, Crash Report, and Arrest Report
An incident report covers any police-documented event. A police report is a broader term that can mean an incident report, a crash report, or an arrest report. A crash report (FR-1 form in Georgia) covers motor vehicle collisions. An arrest report documents the taking of a person into custody. Each document serves a different purpose in the public records system.
| Record Type | What It Covers | Key Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Incident Report | Any police-documented event | Incident number / Report number |
| Police Report | General term for law enforcement records | Varies by record type |
| Crash Report (FR-1) | Motor vehicle collisions | Crash report number |
| Arrest Report | Taking a person into custody | Arrest number / Booking number |
Key Components of a Standard Incident Report
Every standard incident report has five main parts: a header, a body, a parties section, a property section, and a closing. The header shows the incident number, case number, report date, and reporting agency. The body holds the incident description, narrative, and officer observations. The parties section lists the reporting person, victims, witnesses, and suspects.
The property section documents stolen or damaged property, vehicle details, and evidence tags. The closing shows case disposition, report status, and the investigating officer’s signature. Knowing these parts helps you find what you need on a longer report.
Legal Authority Governing Incident Reports in Georgia
Incident reports in Georgia fall under the Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq., which treats most law enforcement records as public. The Act sets response windows, fee rules, and exemption categories. Reports tied to active investigations, juvenile records, and victim or witness identities receive specific protection under the law.
The FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program and its newer NIBRS standard set the data format and offense codes used by Georgia agencies. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) collects these reports at the state level. Juvenile record restrictions come from O.C.G.A. § 15-11-700 and related sections, which limit public access to records involving minors.
- O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70: Main Georgia Open Records Act statute.
- O.C.G.A. § 15-11-700: Juvenile record confidentiality rules.
- UCR/NIBRS: National data format used by Georgia law enforcement.
- GBI: State-level agency that collects Georgia crime data.
DeKalb County Police Department Records Division
The Records Division serves as the official custodian of incident reports and related law enforcement documents for the DeKalb County Police Department. The division processes public records requests, issues certified copies, and applies statutory redactions before release. Staff also support officer background checks, court subpoena processing, and insurance company verifications. The division reports up through the Police Services Divisions under the Department of Public Safety.
Jurisdictional Scope
The DeKalb County Police Department covers the unincorporated areas of the county and several smaller municipalities that contract for police services. Cities such as Tucker, Lithonia, and Stone Mountain fall within this jurisdiction. Larger cities inside DeKalb County, including Atlanta, Decatur, Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Chamblee, and Doraville, run their own police departments. Incidents in those cities go to the respective city police records unit.
Search Methods for Incident Reports
Searching by report number gives you the fastest and most accurate result. The report number on a DeKalb County incident report usually has a year prefix, including deed records, a department code, and a serial number. You can find this number at the top of any paper copy you already have, on an officer’s business card, or on a citation. Enter the full number into the portal search field without spaces or dashes.
Search by Date or Date Range
A date search works well when you remember the day of the incident but not the exact report number. The portal accepts a single date for an exact-day search or a date range for a window of days. Most online systems let you look back several years, but older records may sit in archives and need a direct request. If your date is off by one day, your report may not appear, so check nearby dates too.
Search by Location, Address, or ZIP Code
A location search lets you pull every report filed for a specific street, intersection, or ZIP code. This method is useful for neighborhood research or for checking activity near a property. Common DeKalb County ZIP codes covered by the county police include 30084, 30083, 30058, 30032, 30034, 30340, and 30360. The portal may return a list of reports sorted by date or proximity.
Search by Name
Name-based searches are limited because of privacy laws and database design. You can typically search by the reporting person’s name, the victim’s name, or a known suspect’s name. You often need a second identifier such as date of birth or incident date to narrow results. Victim and juvenile names are usually restricted under Georgia law.
Search by Case Number
A case number ties together all reports, evidence logs, and follow-up documents tied to one investigation. The incident number points to the first report; the case number tracks the whole file. If you have a case number from a court document, subpoena, or attorney letter, you can use it to pull the full record set.
| Search Method | Best Use Case | Accuracy Level |
|---|---|---|
| Report Number | You already have a report copy | Highest |
| Date or Date Range | You remember when it happened | High |
| Location or ZIP Code | Neighborhood or property research | Medium |
| Name | You know the reporting person or victim | Lower, needs extra identifiers |
| Case Number | You have a court or attorney reference | Highest |
How to Request a Copy of an Incident Report
The online request process starts on the DeKalb County Police Department portal. You fill in your contact details, the report number or incident date, and the reason for the request. The system creates a public records request tied to your name and email. You receive a tracking number by email and can check status updates online.
In-Person Request at the Records Office
You can also walk into the Records Division during office hours and request a copy in person. Bring a valid photo ID, the report number or date, and your contact details. Staff will look up the report, apply any redactions, and either print a copy on the spot or schedule a pickup. Same-day service is common for reports already in the system.
Request by Mail or Phone
You can submit a written request by U.S. mail or by calling the Records Division during office hours. A written request should include your full name, mailing address, phone number, the report number or incident date, and a clear description of the report you need. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want the copy mailed back. Phone requests are best for status checks rather than new orders.
Certified Copies, Fees, and Processing Time
Certified copies carry an official raised seal or stamp and are accepted by courts, insurance companies, and government agencies. Standard copies are usually enough for personal records. Fees follow the Georgia Open Records Act fee schedule, which sets per-page copy costs and lets agencies charge actual staff time for search and retrieval. Payment methods vary by office and may include cash, check, money order, or card.
Standard processing time for a written request is three business days under Georgia law. Actual document delivery often takes three to seven business days for simple searches. Complex requests or large file pulls can take longer. Expedited handling is sometimes available for an extra fee.
- Standard response window: 3 business days under Georgia ORA.
- Typical delivery time: 3 to 7 business days for most requests.
- Fee basis: per-page copy cost plus search and retrieval time.
- Certified copy: extra fee for official seal and signature.
Types of Incident Reports Documented
Property and theft reports cover crimes where the main loss is to goods, not persons. This category covers theft incidents (petty, grand, retail, and identity), burglary (residential, commercial, and vehicle), vandalism, and property damage. Each subtype carries its own NIBRS offense code. These reports are the most common records in the DeKalb County system.
Person and Violent Crime Reports
Person and violent crime reports cover offenses against individuals. This group covers simple and aggravated assault, domestic-related assault, robbery, kidnapping, stalking, and missing person reports. Missing person reports stay open until the person is located. These reports often carry victim detail restrictions under Georgia law.
Vehicle and Traffic Incident Reports
Vehicle and traffic reports cover moving violations, hit-and-run events, and traffic-related damage. A traffic incident report can be filed when no crash report (FR-1) is required. Crash reports in Georgia use the FR-1 form and are filed through the Department of Driver Services rather than the police portal. Hit-and-run reports often carry a “Leaving the Scene” charge.
Financial and White-Collar Reports
Financial and white-collar reports cover fraud, scams, identity theft, check forgery, and online financial crimes. These reports often take longer to investigate because they cross jurisdictional lines. They may be referred to a specialized financial crimes unit within the department or to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Behavioral, Suspicious, and Emergency Reports
Behavioral, suspicious, and emergency reports cover non-criminal calls, 911-initiated events, and criminal triggers. A Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) documents activity that seems unusual but does not rise to a crime. An emergency incident report covers 911-initiated events. A criminal incident report becomes the formal start of an investigation.
| Report Category | Common Subtypes | Typical NIBRS Group |
|---|---|---|
| Property and Theft | Theft, burglary, vandalism, property damage | Group A, Property Crimes |
| Person and Violent | Assault, robbery, kidnapping, missing person | Group A, Crimes Against Persons |
| Vehicle and Traffic | Hit-and-run, traffic incident | Group A or local code |
| Financial and White-Collar | Fraud, scam, identity theft, forgery | Group A, Fraud or Other |
| Behavioral and Emergency | SAR, 911, criminal incident | Group B or local code |
Are Incident Reports Public Records?
Yes, incident reports are public records in Georgia under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70). The default rule is that any citizen can view or request a copy. The Act requires agencies to respond within three business days and to charge only the fees set by law. You do not need to be a lawyer, journalist, or party to the case to ask for a report.
Restricted, Confidential, and Redacted Reports
Some reports or report sections are not public, even though the report itself exists. Common restrictions include active investigation death records, juvenile records, victim identity, witness identity, and confidential informant data. Officers redact protected fields before releasing a copy. You may see a report stub with redacted boxes where the protected data was removed.
- Active investigation: full or partial hold until the case closes.
- Juvenile records: protected under O.C.G.A. § 15-11-700.
- Victim details: name, contact, and identifiers removed.
- Witness details: name, contact, and identifiers removed.
- Undercover officers and informants: identity always redacted.
Why You Cannot Find a Report
If your search returns nothing, the most common reason is a data entry lag between the officer’s report and the public portal. Other reasons include an incorrect report number, wrong incident date, or wrong location. Restricted, redacted, or archived reports may also show up as “not found” to the public even though they exist in the system. Reports from older years may sit in archives and require a direct request to the Records Division.
Active Investigations and Appeals
You usually cannot get an incident report tied to an active investigation. The records custodian can withhold the report under statutory exemptions. If your request is denied, you can appeal to the Georgia Attorney General’s Office through the Open Records Act mediation process. A mediator may order the agency to release all or part of the record.
Incident Reports vs. Other Records
An incident report is one of several law enforcement record types. Knowing the difference helps you pick the right record for your need. The table below shows how incident reports compare with crash reports, arrest records, court records, and 911 call records. Each document lives in a different system and has its own access rules.
| Record | Purpose | Where to Request | Typical Identifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incident Report | Documents a police call or event | Police Records Division | Incident / report number |
| Crash Report (FR-1) | Motor vehicle collision | Department of Driver Services | Crash report number |
| Arrest Record | Takes a person into custody | Police or Sheriff Records | Arrest / booking number |
| Court Record | Court case file and docket | Clerk of Superior Court | Case number |
| 911 Call Record | Computer-aided dispatch log | Police or 911 Authority | CAD number |
DeKalb County PD vs. Other Georgia Agencies
The DeKalb County Police Department covers the unincorporated county and contracted municipalities. Inside DeKalb County, several cities run their own police departments, including Atlanta, Decatur, Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Chamblee, and Doraville. If your incident happened inside one of those city limits, the report goes to that city’s records unit, not DeKalb County PD. The Georgia State Patrol handles incidents on state highways and interstates, including crashes on I-285 and I-85 in DeKalb County.
Contact Details
The DeKalb County Police Department Records Division is the official custodian of incident reports for the unincorporated county and contracted cities. You can reach the division by phone during business hours to check request status, confirm report availability, or ask about fees. Walk-in visitors can request copies in person with a valid photo ID. Mail requests are accepted at the office address listed below.
Office Location: 1960 W. Exchange Place, 2nd Floor, Room 210, Tucker, GA 30084
Main Phone: (770) 724-7740
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
Find quick answers about locating, requesting, and understanding incident reports in DeKalb County.
How can I search incident reports online?
Visit the DeKalb County police portal at the official website link. The portal connects to the county’s records system and lets anyone enter a report number, date, address, ZIP code, or location. Results show report status, type, and involved parties without needing an account. If a record is restricted, the site displays a notice explaining the limitation. The tool works 24/7, so you can start a search at any time.
Can I look up a report by number in DeKalb County?
Yes. On the police portal, select the option to search by report number. Enter the exact case or report number and submit. The system returns the matching incident report, including details such as incident type, date, and disposition. If the number is incorrect or the report is sealed, the portal will indicate that the record cannot be displayed.
How do I find a report using date or address?
Choose the date or address search fields on the online portal. For date searches, you can specify a single day or a range. For address searches, type the street name, city, or ZIP code. The portal lists all incident reports that match the criteria, showing brief summaries and status. Restricted reports will appear with a notice that access is limited.
What fees apply for a copy of an incident report?
Fees vary by report type and length. After locating the desired report online, you can request a certified copy through the portal or by contacting the records office during business hours. The office will provide the exact cost before processing. Payment is accepted by cash, check, or credit card, and the copy is typically mailed or handed out in person.
Are incident reports public records in Georgia?
Most incident reports are considered public records under Georgia law. You can view them through the county’s online portal unless the report contains juvenile information, ongoing investigation details, or other protected data. When a report is restricted, the system displays a notice explaining why it is not publicly available. Public records can be requested in person or online, following the county’s guidelines.