New London County Arrest Records and Police Reports
New London County sits in the southeastern corner of Connecticut. The county seat is New London. Arrest records here are public documents. You can view them under state law. Local police departments keep these files. State Police also serve the area. You may need records for court cases. Some people check them for personal safety. Others want to know what happens in their town. This guide shows where to find arrest records in New London County.
About New London County Law Enforcement
New London County has about 268,805 people. Three main cities anchor the county. Norwich is the largest city. Groton comes next. New London is the county seat. Each city runs its own police force. They handle most local arrests. State Police fill gaps in smaller towns. They also help with big cases.
The Connecticut State Police have two troops in the area. Troop E sits in Montville. Their address is P.O. Box 306, Uncasville, CT 06382. You can reach them at (860) 848-6500. Troop D is in Danielson at 55 Westcott Road. Their phone is (860) 779-4900. These troops cover highways and towns without local police. They also back up city departments when needed.
The Eastern District HQ is in Colchester. This office oversees State Police in eastern Connecticut. The address is 15A Old Hartford Road, Colchester, CT 06415. The phone number is (860) 465-5470. Major crimes often go through this office. They work with local police on complex cases.
Local Police Departments in New London County
City police departments keep most arrest records in New London County. Each department has a records unit. You can request reports from them. Some take walk-in visits. Others want you to call first. A few offer online request forms. Know the rules before you go.
New London Police serves the county seat. The department is at New London City Hall. The address is 181 State Street, New London, CT 06320. The main phone is (860) 447-5200. They have a Records Section. You can request incident reports there. They also handle arrest logs. Ask about their hours. Some records need time to process.
Norwich Police Department serves the largest city in the county. They handle many arrests each year. You can visit their office for records. Call ahead to check their current process. Some reports may need a formal request. Others are ready faster. The officers there deal with city crimes. They also work with state troopers on regional cases.
Groton Police Department covers another major city. They patrol both residential and commercial areas. The Groton Town Police handle their own records. You can contact them for arrest reports. They process requests during business hours. Some records may take days to prepare. Others are ready on the spot. It depends on the type of report you need.
Public Access to Arrest Records in Connecticut
Connecticut law makes arrest records public. C.G.S. ยง 1-215 sets the rules. This law says arrest records are open from the time of arrest. You have the right to view them. You can also get copies. The law applies to all police agencies in the state. This includes New London County.
An arrest record shows key facts. It lists the name of the person arrested. It shows their race and address. The date and time of arrest appear. So does the place. The offense is listed too. This is the basic arrest record. Police must share this info. They cannot hide it without a good reason.
Some parts of records stay private. Police can black out witness names. They protect sexual assault victims. Some details may hurt court cases. Judges can seal records too. But most arrest data is public. You can ask for it. The agency must respond. They can charge small fees for copies. But they cannot deny access without cause.
Freedom of Information laws help you get records. You can file a FOIA request. This is a formal letter. It asks for specific documents. State agencies must reply within four days. They can extend this in some cases. If they deny your request, you can appeal. The FOI Commission handles appeals. You must file within 30 days of a denial.
Statewide Resources for New London County Records
State agencies hold more records. These can help with deeper searches. The Connecticut Judicial Branch runs case lookups. You can search criminal cases online. Go to jud.ct.gov/crim.htm. You need a name or docket number. This shows court records. It does not show arrest details. But it shows what happened after arrest.
The Department of Correction tracks inmates. You can search at ctinmateinfo.state.ct.us. This shows who is in jail or prison. It includes people from New London County. The site updates daily. Not all arrested people appear here. Some are released quickly. Others post bail. The database only shows current inmates.
The State Police Bureau of Identification keeps criminal histories. These are official rap sheets. You can request your own record. You can also request records of others. Use form DPS-0846-C. Mail it to 1111 Country Club Road, Middletown, CT 06457. Call (860) 685-8480 with questions. These records show all arrests in Connecticut. They include New London County arrests.
The Sex Offender Registry lists certain offenders. You can search at communitynotification.com. This only covers convicted offenders. Arrests alone do not put people on this list. The registry shows where offenders live. It shows their crimes. It helps keep communities informed. Local police also have this info.
How to Request Arrest Records in New London County
You have options for getting records. Each works for different needs. Pick the method that fits your situation. Some ways are faster. Others give more detail. Here are the main paths to take.
In-person visits work well. Go to the police station. Ask for the records unit. Bring ID. Know the details you need. Give them names and dates. Case numbers help too. You may get reports the same day. Some take longer to prepare. Ask about the wait time. Bring cash for copy fees.
Phone requests can start the process. Call the records division. Ask how to submit your request. Some take requests by phone. Others need written forms. Get clear instructions. Ask about costs. Find out the timeline. Write down who you spoke with. This helps if issues come up.
Mail requests work for formal FOIA requests. Write a clear letter. State what records you want. Give specific details. Include your contact info. Send it to the right agency. Allow time for processing. Four days is the minimum. Complex requests take longer. Include a check if you know the fee.
Online tools help with some searches. The Judicial Branch website shows court cases. The inmate search shows who is in custody. Some police departments post arrest logs online. Check the department website. Look for "press releases" or "blotter." Not all departments do this. But many post recent arrests.
Types of Arrest Records Available
Different records serve different needs. Know what you need before you ask. Each type has its own rules. Some are easy to get. Others need more work. Here are the main record types in New London County.
Arrest logs show daily activity. Police post these at the station. Some put them online. They list who was arrested. They show the charge. They give the date and time. These are basic public records. They update often. You can check them regularly.
Incident reports give more detail. They describe what happened. Officers write these after arrests. They include witness statements. They note evidence found. These reports help understand cases. They take longer to get. Some parts may be blacked out.
Booking records come from jails. They show the booking process. They include mug shots. They list personal details. These records prove someone was held. They show bail amounts. Correctional centers keep these. You request them from the jail or DOC.
Police records include many documents. There are body cam videos. There are dispatch tapes. There are investigation notes. Each has its own rules. Some are easy to view. Others need court orders. Ask the records clerk what is available.
Related Public Records in New London County
Arrest records connect to other files. You may need these too. Court records show case outcomes. Property records show addresses. Vital records show identities. Each has its own source. Here is where to find them.
Court records are at the Superior Court. New London County cases go to the New London Judicial District. The court is at 70 Huntington Street, New London, CT 06320. You can view case files there. Some records are online. Others need in-person visits. Call (860) 443-5360 for help.
The Town Clerk keeps land records. These show property owners. They help verify addresses. Each town has its own clerk. Norwich, Groton, and New London each have offices. Visit during business hours. Many records are online now. But older ones may need manual searches.
Vital records include birth and death certificates. The town clerk keeps these too. They help verify identities. They show family ties. You need ID to get copies. Fees vary by town. Certified copies cost more.
911 call recordings are also public. You can request them from the police. Or ask the dispatch center. These show how calls came in. They capture the initial report. They may help understand cases. Processing takes time. Not all calls are released.
Cities in New London County
New London County has several towns and cities. The three largest have their own police. Smaller towns rely on State Police. Here are the main communities:
- Norwich - Largest city with its own police department
- Groton - Coastal city with local police force
- New London - County seat with municipal police
- Waterford - Served by State Police Troop E
- East Lyme - Covered by State Police
- Montville - Home to State Police Troop E barracks
Important Information About Arrest Records
Arrest records tell part of the story. An arrest is not a conviction. People are innocent until proven guilty. Courts decide guilt. Police only make arrests. Keep this in mind when viewing records. Do not assume the worst. Wait for court outcomes.
Records can have errors. Names may be spelled wrong. Dates might be off. If you find a mistake, tell the agency. They can fix it. You may need to prove the error. Bring documents. Show what is wrong. Ask for corrections.
Old records may be archived. Very old arrests could be on paper. They might be at state archives. The Connecticut State Archives holds historical records. Check with them for old cases. Modern records are digital. They are easier to search.