How to File a Police Report in Tampa

After being involved in an incident where you were injured or experienced property loss in Tampa, filing a police report is essential. A police report provides an unbiased account of the incident to support your injury and loss claim, and prove that another party was negligent. Find out how to file a police report from our Tampa personal injury attorneys, and when to seek our assistance.

Why It’s Important to File a Police Report

The reasons it is important to file a police report are as follows:

• The police report number provided serves as official documentation of the accident, vital for filing insurance claims.
• Insurance companies will want to review a police report before settling claims.
• The police report establishes the facts and details about the incident, showing who was negligent.
• The police report can help protect your rights in filing a personal injury claim against the responsible party.

Who Can File a Police Report?

To file a police report with the Tampa police, you must be:

• 18 years of age or older
• The victim or authorized representative
• The incident must have occurred within city limits
• The incident cannot be an emergency or in-progress crime
• The incident does not pose an immediate danger or require immediate medical care

For incidents outside the city limits, you would file a police report with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. 

When Should You File a Police Report?

You should file a police report anytime you experience personal injuries, property damage, or property losses. Even if the incident seems minor, you will want to file a police report if you intend to file an insurance claim or criminal charges against the responsible party. Filing the report in a timely manner helps protect your legal rights and ensures you can seek the appropriate compensation from the responsible party. 

Non-Emergency vs. 911: When Not to File a Police Report

911 calls should only be used for life-threatening situations, personal injuries, car crashes, or if the suspect is still present. You should never call 911 for non-emergency situations, such as:

• Noise complaints
• Animal complaints
• Vehicle break-ins that have already occurred, and the suspect is long gone
• Property theft discovered as the suspect has left
• Vandalism that has occurred
• Discovery of minor personal injuries post-accident
• Non-violent crimes

How to File a Police Report in Tampa, Florida

You have a few options for filing a police report in Tampa, including online, in-person, and by phone.

Online Reporting Options

In order to file a police report online in Tampa, you must meet the following reporting criteria:

• It is a non-emergency
• You are the victim or authorized representative
• The incident occurred within city boundaries
• There are no suspects at the scene
• The incident does not involve a firearm 
• Stolen property does not include a car, license plate, or plate decal
• For a car accident police report, there were no injuries, fatalities, or property damage of $500 or more

You can file a police report online as long as you do not answer no to any of these. If you answer no, or your incident is not listed, you cannot make a police report online. You will need to file in person or by phone. It is important to remember that it is illegal to submit a police report online for an incident that did not occur, or to provide false information.   

For incidents outside the city limits, you cannot use the Tampa Police online reporting. Instead, you can file online through the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office if you meet their criteria. 

In-Person Reporting

If you prefer to file your police report in person, you can do so at the Tampa Police Department Headquarters located at:

One Police Center
411 N. Franklin Street
Tampa, FL 33602

Police reports are taken from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

For incidents that fall outside city limits, you can file in person at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office located near Ybor City at:

2008 E. 8th Avenue
Tampa, FL 33605

You can submit an in-person police report as long as your incident did not occur within the city limits of Plant City, Tampa, or Temple Terrace. Call the Sheriff’s Office to verify reporting hours at 813-247-8200. 

Reporting by Phone

If you want to file a police report by phone, call the Tampa Police Department’s non-emergency phone number at 813-231-6130, or the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for incidents outside city limits at 813-247-8200.

Essential Information To Include in Your Police Report

• Date, time, and location of the incident
• Names and contact information of all parties involved
• Detailed description of the incident
• Witness information (if any)
• Description of any injuries or property damage
• Add any other missing details that should be in the report
• Pictures or other supporting documents

How To Get a Copy of Your Tampa Police Report

To get a copy of a police report in Tampa, there are online, in-person, and phone options. For online Tampa police reports, follow these steps:

• Open your web browser, and go to the Tampa Police Department web page.
• Scroll down toward the bottom until you see a white box with blue lettering that says, “Police Records,” and click on it.
• On this page, click the button that says, “Request a Copy of a Report Online.”
• If you do not already have an online account, create one, and then log in.
• Follow the prompts, and provide the necessary information to retrieve your Tampa police report online.
• Once the report is retrieved, you can download a copy for your records and print it.

To get a copy of police reports in Tampa in person, visit the Tampa Police Department Headquarters. To get a copy of a police report in Tampa, Florida, by phone, call 813-246-3250, and listen for the option to speak to a record clerk live. 

What To Do After Filing a Police Report

• Seek medical attention, even for minor injuries
• Keep copies of all medical records related to your injuries 
• Document the incident by taking photos and videos
• Obtain contact details of anybody involved in the incident, including witnesses
• Consult with a personal injury attorney to learn more about your legal rights and options to help you make informed decisions

How Do You Report a Problem With the City of Tampa?

You can report a problem with the City of Tampa for non-emergency incidents, like potholes or non-working streetlights, using these options:

• Call the customer service center at 813-274-3278 or 311 from your mobile device
• Use the new Tampa Connect online app to report the incident

For emergency situations, like hazardous spills, wildfires, or downed power lines, call 911. 

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Filing a Police Report

• Providing incomplete or inaccurate information
• Not providing contact details
• Not uploading photos or supporting documents
• Using ambiguous language
• Admitting fault
• Not sticking to the facts
• Leaving out important details
• Not reviewing the report for accuracy before submitting it

How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Assist You in Filing a Police Report

A personal injury attorney can assist you with filing your police report in Tampa by:

• Helping gather evidence
• Explaining your legal rights and options
• Helping correct mistakes on a report you already filed
• Helping you obtain a copy of the police report
• Filing your injury claim against the negligent party
• Protecting your legal rights
• Negotiating a favorable settlement

At Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, our Tampa law firm provides the assistance and guidance you need to file an accurate police report while protecting your legal rights.

FAQs

Sources:

File a Police Report.
Online Reporting. 
Tampa Police.