Filing an LAPD Police Report Just Got Easier…with a New Online Reporting Service

As we’ve been hearing over and over again lately from our local police representatives, neighbors and others, it is extremely important to file police reports for any type of crime you experience.  If you don’t file a report, the incident doesn’t become part of local records or crime statistics, and police don’t have accurate information when planning patrol car coverage, response patterns and other critical activities.

Despite these entreaties, however, many people still don’t file police reports…either because they think their incident is too minor, or because filing a report would take several hours by the time they travel to their local police station, wait for assistance and fill out the paperwork.

Thankfully for all of us, however, reporting some kinds of crimes just got much easier…with a new online reporting system from LAPD.

First of all, please note that for any sort of emergency, or a crime in progress, you should still call 911 for an immediate response. For some other kinds of crimes, however, including harassing phone calls, lost property, and vandalism, online reporting options are now available.

According to the website, to file an online report with LAPD, the incident and/or filer must meet the following criteria:

• The incident is not an emergency.
• The incident occurred within the City of Los Angeles.
• The filer must be at least 18 years old.
• No one was injured as a result of the incident.
• There are no known suspects.
• The incident did not occur on a state highway.
• No firearms were involved in the incident.
• You must have internet access and an email address.

Once you have submitted a report:

• You will immediately receive a temporary report number and be able to print a copy of the report you filed.
• Police will review all submissions filed, on average, once every 24 hours (possibly longer on weekends and holidays).
• If further investigation of your incident is needed, you will be contacted by e-mail or telephone.
• Once the report has been approved, an LAPD report number will be issued and a copy of the final report will be e-mailed back to you.
• The report approval process may take up to five business days. If you do not receive an e-mail of the final report within five business days, please call your local police station.
• Supplemental Reports cannot be filed online. To add any additional information, please wait until you have received your final report with a LAPD report number, and then call your local police station to speak with the detective assigned to your case.

The reporting site also reminds users that filing a false police report is a crime, punishable by imprisonment in county jail not exceeding 6 months, or by fine not exceeding $1,000, or by both.

To start an online report, go to https://secure.coplogic.com/dors/startreport/187813901/en

If your incident does not meet the criteria for online reporting, then you will have to use more traditional methods to file a report.  Please call LAPD’s non-emergency response line at 1-877-ASK-LAPD (1-877-275-5273) for further assistance.