Records Division Frequently Asked Questions

General Information
What are the office hours and how do I get there?
How do I get in touch with a police officer after business hours?
Which police department do I report a crime to?
What should I do if I suspect a neighbor is doing something illegal?

Police Reports
Who can obtain a copy of a police report?
How do I obtain a copy of a police report?
How do I request an accident report by mail?

Fingerprints
Misdemeanor Fingerprints?

Parking Information
How do I pay or contest a ticket?
What happens if I don't pay a fine on a ticket or show up in court?

Vehicle Information
How do I report my vehicle stolen?
How can I get a release for my vehicle?
How much will it cost? How can I pay for it?
My vehicle was impounded for driving with a suspended driver's license. What happens now?
My vehicle was impounded for 30 days, what can I do?

Other Information
How do I add information to my police report?
How do I obtain a copy or review my local criminal record?
How do I obtain a police clearance letter for immigration or visa purposes?
How do I apply for a Business/Security Alarm License?
 

General Information
Q: What are the office hours and how do I get there?
A: The Records Division is open to the public, Monday through Thursday from 9am to 5pm, excluding holidays.  We are located at 100 Fletcher Parkway, El Cajon, CA 92020.

Q: How do I get in touch with a police officer after business hours?
A: The police department office is open Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm, excluding holidays. Outside of those hours; the phones are forwarded to our dispatch center. This 24-hour dispatch center is the primary contact for all fire, police, and emergency medical service agencies, and is also the 911 center for all El Cajon. All phone lines are recorded at this agency.

Q: Which police department do I report a crime to?
A: Report crimes to the police agency where the crime occurred. Only crimes that occur within the city limits of El Cajon should be reported to the El Cajon Police.

Q: What should I do if I suspect a neighbor is doing something illegal?
A: If you suspect a neighbor of performing some type of illegal activity, (domestic violence, child abuse, drug use, etc.) we ask that you report this even if you don't want to become involved. First of all, please consider calling 911 if the incident is in progress. The 911 center will have access to your phone number and address if you call them, however, you can ask to remain anonymous and not leave your name. If you dial the police department or dispatch directly (not on 911), your phone information is not available to the person answering the phone.

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Police Reports
Q: Who can obtain a copy of a police crime report?
A: To obtain a copy of a traffic accident, you must be listed as the driver, passenger, or an authorized representative of the people listed in the report or someone filing a claim. To obtain a copy of a property or crime against a person report, you must provide a case number or other information to assist in identifying the incident. The report may be released if it is not still under investigation or restricted. We do not release copies of arrest reports.

If you are the arrested party on a police report, you may obtain a copy through the San Diego County District Attorney's Office when you appear in court for the arraignment.  If a juvenile is listed on the police report as a suspect, is arrested, or involved in criminal activity which may result in dependency procedures, you may only obtain a report copy after a juvenile court order is obtained through the San Diego County Juvenile Court.

Q: How do I obtain a copy of a police crime report?
A: Citizens wishing to obtain a copy of a police crime report may request one in person or by mail. Come to the Records Department Public Counter located at 100 Fletcher Parkway, Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays.

You will need to complete a Request Form (pdf), which states your interest in the police report, and pay an administrative fee of $10.00. Please include the case number or detailed information to assist us in determining the correct case number. You can only obtain copies of reports in which you are the victim, property owner, insurance company representative, attorney or parent of a juvenile who is the victim of a crime. If you do not meet these criteria, your request will be returned and any payment of fees refunded.

All report copies are mailed to the address listed on the report order form.  Once your request has been received, please allow 7-10 business days for your report to arrive in the mail. 

Q: How do I request an accident report by mail?
A: You can request a copy of a report by printing the Request Form (pdf), which requires the following information: your names, case number, date and time occurred, what type of incident, and the need for the information. There is an $10.00 administrative fee for copies of reports with less than 15 pages. Reports with more than 15 pages will be charged and additional $.10 per page. Please make your cashiers check or money order only payable to the City of El Cajon. NO CASH will be accepted by mail. Requests are processed in the order received. Please allow 7-10 business days to process your request.

All report copies are mailed to the address listed on the report order form.

Please send your request, along with payment to: El Cajon Police Department, Attention: Records Bureau, 100 Fletcher Parkway, El Cajon, CA 92020.

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Live Scan and Ink Fingerprint Services are temporarily unavailable at this location!  For a list service locations, please download this resource list.

Fingerprint/Registration Information
(No one under the age of 18 is permitted in fingerprint areas unless they are being printed)

Q: How do I get fingerprinted for a Misdemeanor Citation before court?
A: Misdemeanor fingerprints are  done on Tuesdays only from 1pm – 4pm on a walk in basis.  There is no fee for this service.  You must bring the original citation and have valid photo identification (California/State drivers license or identification card, military identification) in order to have your prints taken.

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Parking Information
Q: How do I pay or contest a ticket?
A: When you receive a ticket from an El Cajon Police Officer, the ticket will indicate if you are required to appear in court (summons) or have been assessed a penalty. If you have been assessed a penalty, mail your payment to the address indicated on the ticket, or show up in court on the court date indicated. If you have any questions about your ticket, contact the respective court the ticket listed on your citation.

Q: What happens if I don't pay a fine on a ticket or show up in court?
A: If you do not pay the fine on your ticket, you will have to appear in court before the judge to plead your case. The judge will decide if you have to pay the fine or not. You may not be able to register your vehicle if the fine is not paid and interest accrues on all unpaid balances.

If you do not show up for court, the judge will issue a warrant for your arrest. This warrant information is entered into a nationwide law enforcement computer system. Any officer that contacts you and obtains warrant information about you from the computer will arrest you and take you to the nearest jail facility.

Click here for Administrative Review Form (pdf) to request an administrative hearing.

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Vehicle Information
Q: How do I report my vehicle stolen?
A: Call the El Cajon Police Department Communications Center at (619) 579-3311.

Q: How can I get a release for my vehicle?
A: Come to the El Cajon Police Department Headquarters Main Lobby, Public Counter located at 100 Fletcher Parkway, Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays. The vehicle must be currently registered. The vehicle will only be released to the licensed registered owner*. If the registered owner does not have a valid driver's license he or she will need a State of California identification card, or another acceptable form of identification, and accompanied by a valid, licensed driver.

*With the registered owner's consent, a vehicle release can be issued to another licensed driver. You must contact the El Cajon Police at (619) 579-3365, for this requirement. Only the driver listed on the vehicle release may obtain the vehicle from the tow yard.

Q: How much will it cost? How can I pay for it?
A: The vehicle release fee is:
$135 or $150 ($150 if any driver license violation; i.e., No Driver License, Suspended or Expired Driver License), these fees are payable to the City of El Cajon and payable by cash, cashiers check, postal money order or credit card. You will be given the Tow Company's name, address and phone number to reclaim your vehicle after all fees have been paid.

Q: My vehicle was impounded for driving with a suspended driver's license. What happens now?
A: California Vehicle Code section 14602.6 mandates the impoundment of a vehicle if the driver is cited for driving with a suspended license. The vehicle can be impounded for 30 days. The owner of the vehicle is responsible for storage fees. At the end of the 30-day hold period, you will be able to obtain a vehicle release and pick up your vehicle from the tow company.  For more information, please come to the Records Division Business Office during normal business hours.

Q: My vehicle was impounded for 30 days, what can I do?
A: If your car has been impounded for 30 days, you may request a "Post Storage Hearing" to appeal the impound. You must submit your request within 10 days of the date of the impound. You may come in to the police station for a copy of this request, or a copy the "Request for Vehicle Storage Hearing" is provided on the Internet for you to fill out and bring to the station. A hearing officer will call you within 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) to schedule an appointment.

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Other Information
Q: How do I add information to my police report?
A: Call the El Cajon Police Department Communications Center at (619) 579-3311.

Q: How do I obtain a copy or review my local criminal record?
A: Come in person to the Records Department Public Counter, located at 100 Fletcher Parkway.  Please have a valid form of identification and $15 cash, cashiers check, postal money order or credit/debit card. No one can obtain or review your local criminal record but you!

Q: How do I obtain a police clearance letter for immigration or visa purposes?
A: Come to the Records Department public front counter in person and fill out a clearance form. Please have a valid form of identification and $15 cash, cashiers check, postal money order or credit/debit card. Please allow 5-7 business days for processing.

Q: How do I apply for a Business/Security Alarm License?
A: Per section 5.84.040 of the El Cajon Municipal Code requires that all security alarms in the City be licensed.  Click here to download the Alarm Application form.  Fill out the form completely and mail to the address listed at the top of the application.

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