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Police Department

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1. How much do police reports cost?

Police reports are $10, You must provide exact change or Credit/Debit card only.

2. How can I obtain a copy of a police report?

To request a copy of a report, complete the Release of Information form. We need the case report number, or the date and location of the incident, and the names of the parties involved in order to process your request. You may mail or drop off your application. The Records Bureau has 10 days to determine if copies will be provided. There is a $10 (cash exact change) or Credit/Debit card due for each police report at the time it is picked up.

3. What should I do if I encounter some type of explosive device?

If you should ever encounter any type of military ordinance and/or explosives, such as grenades, pipe bombs, sticks of dynamite, or containers of gun powder - do not touch it. None of these types of munitions should be considered safe, regardless of size or packaging. Contact law enforcement immediately.

4. My property was vandalized / my car was broken into; how do I make a report?

Citizens who are victims of certain crimes can complete a citizen incident reports. Often, your insurance company will require a police report to honor a claim. If you cannot provide a suspect in a crime, a citizen incident report will usually satisfy this requirement. Car vandalism or break-ins, property vandalism, and lost property are types of crimes that must be reported via a citizen incident report. Please contact the departments business line at 707-994-8251 and press 2 to obtain a citizen incident report. They can also be picked up at the police department.


If you are the victim of identity theft, stolen checks, or fraud, an officer must take a report. Contact the business line to have an officer dispatched to take the report or go directly to the police department. Fraud and identity theft crimes require documentation from your financial institution.

5. I was involved in an accident, what do I do?

If anyone involved requires medical assistance, call 911. If your vehicles are immobile and causing a traffic hazard, contact the police department so an officer can respond and assist with removing the vehicles from the roadway. The police department does not take non-injury traffic collision reports. All involved parties should exchange information and report the accident to their insurance companies.

6. How do I obtain a restraining order?

Restraining Orders are generally obtained from the Superior Court in Lakeport. The State Courts website has lots of helpful information on restraining orders and all the required forms. Always contact the Clearlake Police Department directly to report domestic violence or threats to your life.


Note: emergency protection orders (EPO) are available through the Clearlake Police Department on a 24 hour basis, and are valid for only five court days. In most cases, an EPO is only issued when circumstances present a possibility of imminent and immediate danger to the victim.

7. How do I evict someone?

Eviction information and forms can be obtained from https://oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/landlord and California courts websites.

The Clearlake Police Department cannot serve eviction notices or give advice on landlord / tenant issues. Contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Civil Division at 707-262-4080 for eviction services and contact a legal adviser for guidance on the eviction process.

8. How do I find out if someone is in custody?

The Lake County Jail posts recent arrests on their website.

9. Is juvenile (under 18 years old) arrest information public and can I obtain a copy?

No. You will be referred to the Juvenile Court.

10. The insurance company says it is my responsibility to obtain a copy of my accident report. Is this correct?

This matter is between you and your insurance company. Most insurance companies do provide this service for you.

11. Why must I make an appointment to claim my property?

Appointments are scheduled so that a property technician can be made available to handle your case on a one on one basis without interruption. The property technicians may be in court, transporting evidence to the Department of Justice Forensics Laboratory, or may be viewing evidence with an attorney.

12. How do I obtain a police clearance letter for immigration or visa purposes?

If you are required to obtain a letter of good conduct from the agency whose jurisdiction you live in, this can be obtained through our Records Bureau by providing photo identification in person. If you are submitting the request via the mail, a notarized letter stating your name and purpose for the letter is required before we can process the request. We are only able to provide an account of contacts with our agency during the time frame you lived within our jurisdiction. There is a $10 fee for this letter (cash, exact change only).

13. How do I get a copy of my arrest history?

You must apply directly to the California Department of Justice.

14. How do I obtain copies of crime statistics?

Annual crime statistics from prior years are available on the California Department of Justice Website. Additional statistics may be available by contacting the Records / Communications Supervisor at 707-994-8251. Press 1, then the extension 316.

15. How do I get fingerprinted?

We offer Livescan service by appointment only. You can schedule an appointment online or call us at 707-994-8251 x316. There is a $10 fee plus the DOJ transaction fee (if the requesting entity has not provided a billing #).

If the entity requesting your fingerprints provides you with fingerprint cards for ink prints, you can bring them into the police department for printing. There is a $10 fee (cash exact change) per card and it is based on availability of Officers. We do not make appointments.

16. How do I retrieve my property from the Police Department?

Property is available by appointment only. Call 707-994-8251, press 1 and dial extension 308 to speak to our Property Clerk. Before the police department will release a firearm to someone, they must obtain a firearms clearance from the Department of Justice. The form for the clearance can be obtained on the Department of Justice website.

17. How do I get a release for my vehicle if it was towed by the Police Department?

All impounded vehicles and recovered stolen vehicles require a vehicle release form. Vehicles towed by the police department will only be released to the registered owner. If you are not the registered owner, you will need to obtain a notarized letter authorizing release of the vehicle to you. The registered owner will need to identify you and the vehicle in the notarized letter. The letter must include your driver's license number, description of the car (make, model, year) and either the vehicle license plate number or vehicle identification (VIN) number.


The registered owner or authorized person picking up the car must have a valid driver's license or identification card issued by a State Department of Motor Vehicles. If you only have an identification card you must be accompanied by a person with a valid driver's license.


The Clearlake Police Department will not charge a fee to those persons retrieving a vehicle that has been stolen and recovered. There is a $100 release fee required for all stored and impounded vehicles due at the time of release in cash, exact change only. All towing and storage fees are payable to the towing company storing your vehicle. All registration fees on impounded and stored vehicles must be current prior to release.
The owner of a vehicle has the right to a post storage hearing at the Police Department.

18. Can I get my impounded vehicle out prior to the 30 day impound period?

There may be extenuating circumstances to the 30 day impound rule. The owner of the vehicle may request a post storage hearing in order to present these facts to the hearing officer. Post Storage Hearings must be requested in person at the Police Department during regular business hours.

19. What is a post storage hearing?

A post storage hearing is an interview usually conducted by the on duty sergeant or watch commander. This interview determines whether the vehicle in question can be released prior to the 30 day impound period and must be done in person at the Police Department.

20. How do i get a release for my vehicle repossession?

If your vehicle is repossessed, your bank requires you to first come to the agency whose jurisdiction it is where the vehicle was repossessed in order to pay an administrative fee. This is a $15 fee. After you pay the fee, you then take the original receipt to where the vehicle is being held and show them in order to get your vehicle back and in good standing with the lien holder. See government code sections 26751 and 41612.

21. Why do you charge for a vehicle release form?

The release fee is an administrative fee applied to the release of an impounded vehicle as authorized by local city ordinance, the master fee schedule and 22850.5 of the California Vehicle Code.