Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQS) common to law enforcement are posted on this page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on your topic of interest to learn more. If you have a question that isn't answered here, please email slcpdpr@slcgov.com for assistance.
1Address and Hours

Where are you located?
The Salt Lake City Police Department is headquartered in the Public Safety Building (PSB), 475 South 300 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. Our mailing address is: PO Box 145497, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-5497.

What are your hours?
Lobby hours at the PSB are Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Service Window hours are Monday, Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.; closed Holidays.

2Clearance Letters

Does the SLCPD do clearance checks?
We do clearance letters for our jurisdiction only. Forms are available in the lobby or downloadable through the link below. The cost is $5.09. We impose a surcharge of 2.35% on the transaction amount on credit card products, which is not greater than our cost of acceptance.  We do not surcharge debit cards. If you need a statewide background check, you need to go to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), which is located at 3888 W. 5400 S., Kearns, UT 84118.

Clearance Letter, Adult
Clearance Letter, Juveniles

3Bikes

Where do I register a bike?
Salt Lake City Police Department offers all bike owners the opportunity to register their bicycles, which will assist in the recovery and return to you, the bike owners, in the event of a theft. Residents and visitors of Salt Lake City can register their bicycles online for free. You will need to enter your bicycle serial number and your contact information in the form below.

CLICK TO REGISTER YOUR BIKE

How do I pick up a bike from evidence?

You will need to make an appointment with Evidence, call 801-799-3041 Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m and 4:00 p.m. to schedule. Appointments are required for property release. Take your case number and picture ID to 4710 W. 1525 S. Suite G, Salt Lake City. Property will be released on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The property release lobby door is located on the Northeast side of the building and is signed "Salt Lake City Property Release Public Entrance." Contact with Technicians is accomplished by using the intercom to the right of the lobby door. Push the button and a Technician will help you.

Please refer any questions to the Evidence room at (801) 799-3041 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The property and evidence room are closed on holidays and weekends.

4Drug take back receptacle

The Salt Lake City Police Department will accept old or unused prescription drugs in the receptacle in the lobby of the Public Safety Building.

Lobby hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; closed Holidays.

5Evidence/Property

What hours are available for pickup of evidence/property?

Appointments are required for property release, call 801-799-3041 Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m and 4:00 p.m. to schedule. Property will be released on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Evidence Unit is located at 4710 W 1525 South, Unit G in Salt Lake City. The property release lobby door is located on the Northeast side of the building and is signed “Salt Lake City Property Release Public Entrance.” Contact with Technicians is accomplished by using the intercom to the right of the lobby door. Push the button and a Technician will help you.

Please refer any questions to the Evidence room at (801) 799-3041 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The property and evidence room are closed on holidays and weekends.

What do I need to obtain my property from the police department?
To obtain a police report, you need:

  • Police department case number or property owner’s full name
  • Description of property and serial number (if known)
  • Government issued picture identification

What if I do not have government issued picture ID?
You will need a copy of a booking sheet or some other means to confirm your identity.

Should I call before coming in to pick up my property?
Appointments are required for property release, call (801) 799-3041 to confirm your property is available for release and to schedule an appointment.

Can I pick up property for a friend or relative?
Yes. You must have a notarized letter from the owner stating the owner has asked you to pick up their property.

May I claim property that I found? How?
Yes. You must petition the Chief of Police after 90 days from the day you turned in the property. A letter petitioning the return of the property should be directed to the Chief of Salt Lake City Police, Attention Evidence Room.

How can I find out if you have my property?
The easiest way to identify your property is by the manufacturer’s serial number. You may call (801) 799-3041 with the details of your property and we will search the database. Without a serial number, it is difficult to clearly identify the property as yours due to the manufacture of many similar items. For example, a scratch on a car does not identify the car, but the manufacturer's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) does.

What kind of information do I need to keep in case my property is lost or stolen?
Keeping a description of the make and serial numbers of your valuables in a safe place will assist in identifying your property if it is taken. It also allows us to enter your stolen property into a national database enabling recovery if found outside Salt Lake City. SLPCD has created a sample home inventory tracking sheet for this purpose. Using it does not register your property with us.

6Expungements
How can I get a record expunged?
You must begin with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). They have forms on their website, www.bci.utah.gov, that you can print off and either mail into them or take to them in person. Their address is 3888 W. 5400 S., Kearns, UT 84118. Follow their procedure. Once you have gone through the courts, you must bring in an original Certificate of Expungement and the original court document signed by a judge for us to begin the process here.
7Fingerprinting

Fingerprinting is unavailable until further notice.

Does Salt Lake City Police Department do fingerprinting?
Yes. We do it on Monday, Wednesday, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Friday 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. at the Public Safety Building. To allow for processing time, you must arrive by 2:30 p.m. ALL FINGERPRINTING MUST BE COMPLETED BY 3:00 PM. You must either live in Salt Lake City jurisdiction or be applying for or working within the Salt Lake City jurisdiction for us to do your fingerprints. The only exception to this is for adoption or foster care purposes in which you must go to the jurisdiction in which you live regardless of where you work. If you do not meet our requirements, you can be fingerprinted at the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI), 3888 W. 5400 S., Kearns, UT 84118. Salt Lake City Police Department is not able to do four prints, if you require four prints to be done please contact BCI. Young children are not permitted in the Salt Lake City Police Department fingerprinting area. Please call BCI to find out if they allow young children, 801-965-4445.

Is there a fee to be fingerprinted at the SLCPD?
Yes, the fee is $10.00 a card. We impose a surcharge of 2.47% on the transaction amount on credit card products, which is not greater than our cost of acceptance. We do not surcharge debit cards. All cards must be filled out in black ink only. You must also have current picture ID. Accepted forms of ID include Current: US  Driver’s licenses, US ID cards, US Passports, US Visa’s, US Permanent Resident Cards, US Employment Authorization Cards, US Concealed Weapons Permits, and US Military ID. We also accept Mexican Consulate Cards and Out of Country Voter cards.

Download the fingerprint worksheet here.

8NCIC

What is NCIC?

'NCIC [National Crime Information Center] helps criminal justice professionals apprehend fugitives, locate missing persons, recover stolen property, and identify terrorists. It also assists law enforcement officers in performing their duties more safely and provides information necessary to protect the public." —Source: www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/ncic

What are the different NCIC categories and how are they used by SLCPD?

SLCPD uses NCIC codes to categorize calls for service.

9No Trespassing Sign

How do I get a no trespassing sign for my business?

First, a no trespassing affidavit must be filled out and signed by a notary, then you bring the completed form to the lobby of the Public Safety Building located at 475 S 300 East or contact your Community Liaison Officer directly. If you are not sure who your Community Liason Officer is, please visit our Community Liaison Officer page to find out.

Is there a fee for the sign?

Yes, for prices please contact SLCPD Records at 801-799-3560 for current fees.

10On View Activity

What is on view activity?

On view activity is an incident observed by an officer rather than reported by a member of the public via 911 or the non-emergency number of (801) 799-3000.

11Reports
A Records Request can be made thru our website: www.slcpd.com/grama to request a copy of your Police Report using the GRAMA page.

CLICK HERE TO FILE GRAMA REQUEST

What is an initial contact report?

On an average day, SLCPD receives approximately 630 calls for service, with approximately 175 of them resulting in what is called an initial contact report.  This public record — UCA 63-2-103(14)(a) — typically includes the following information:

  • The date, time, location and nature of the complaint, the incident or the offense;
  • Names of victims;
  • The nature or general scope of the agency’s initial actions taken in response to the incident;
  • The name, address and other identifying information about any person arrested or charged in connection with the incident;
  • And the identity of the public safety personnel, except undercover personnel, who responded to the initial incident.

Initial contact reports do not include follow-up reports prepared after the initial contact report. A member of the public, including the media, can request and is entitled to receive a copy of the initial contact report unless:

  • The matter, including the initial contact report, is protected because release could interfere with an ongoing investigation
  • Release would create a danger of depriving a person of a right to a fair trial or impartial hearing;
  • Reasonably could be expected to reveal the identity of a source not known outside of government; or
  • Could reasonably be expected to reveal or disclose investigative techniques or tactics not generally known.

Why isn't a report available?

For any call that requires a report, Patrol Officers are required to submit that report by the end of their shift. A sergeant then reviews and approves the report, forwarding it to SLCPD’s Records Division for transcription into the broader database. This process may take more than 24 hours to be reflected on the public webpage. Not all phone calls — to either 911 or the non-emergency line of (801) 799-3000 — result in a “call for service” requiring a response by an officer. On an average day, SLCPD receives 629 calls for service, approximately 176 of which result in a report.

12Requesting a Report (GRAMA)

How do I request a police report?
Request forms are available in the lobby of the Public Safety Building as well as online www.slcpd.com/grama (link below.) All information on the form must be filled out completely. You can request a copy of your report in person or by mail at 475 South 300 East, (PO Box 145497) SLC, UT 84114-5497. If by mail, put ATT: Service Desk and a notarized copy of your current driver’s license must be attached. We cannot accept e-mail, fax or phone requests.

CLICK TO FILE GRAMA REQUEST

What is the cost?
There is a $10.00 processing fee per report requested up to 50 pages and $.25 per page after 50 pages. We accept cash, credit or check. Make your check or money order payable to Salt Lake City Corporation. We impose a surcharge of 2.47% on the transaction amount on credit card products, which is not greater than our cost of acceptance. We do not surcharge debit cards.

Can someone else get the report for me?
According to GRAMA law, certain people get certain information but everyone can get the public information. However, if you are a victim or subject of a record, etc., you may be able to get more information. To have someone request a report on your behalf, they must submit a notarized letter giving them that permission.

Will I get the report when I request it?
It depends on the type of report and other variables. Most likely you will not get it that day. GRAMA law gives us 10 days to get the information back to you. Through GRAMA law there are reasons reports can be denied and sometimes they are. If denied, you will receive a denial letter stating the reason and your appeal options.

13Sex Offender Registry

How often must I register?

At least TWO (2) times a year. Register during the month of your birth and six months thereafter as required by U.C.A. 77-41-105.

Sex offenders off probation or parole must make an appointment to update their information by calling (801) 799-3775.

How long must I maintain registration?

Utah convictions: Offenders shall register for TEN (10) years past termination of sentence for the registerable offense, or for the offender’s lifetime depending on the offense.

Non-Utah convictions: Offenders shall register for TEN (10) years past termination of sentence or longer if required by the sentencing jurisdiction.

Offenders convicted of U.C.A. 77-27-21.8 shall register for an additional FIVE (5) years.

In accordance with U.C.A. 77-41-107 an offender shall register for an additional year for every year in which the offender does not comply with the registration requirements of this section.

What areas are restricted from sex offenders?

All "Protected Areas" as defined in U.C.A. 77-27-21.7:

These areas include, but are not limited to any: licensed day care or preschool facility, a swimming pool that is open to the public, a public or private primary or secondary school that is not on the grounds of a correctional facility, a community park that is open to the public; and a playground that is open to the public, including those areas designed to provide children space, recreational equipment, or other amenities intended to allow children to engage in physical activity.

For more comprehensive list of "Protected Areas" refer to: https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title77/Chapter27/77-27-S21.7.html

14VIN Inspection

Does SLCPD do VIN Inspections?

No, for any Salt Lake City business or resident who needs a DMV requested VIN inspection, call:

DMV Enforcement
(801) 297-2600
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.