Find Bridgeport Arrest Records
Bridgeport booking reports show arrest data from the Bridgeport Police Department and state jail records for those held at state facilities. As Connecticut's largest city with about 148,000 people, Bridgeport sits in Fairfield County. The city police keep arrest logs online, and state records are at the DOC. Since 1968, all county jails in Connecticut merged under state control, so booking info for those in state custody goes through the Connecticut Department of Correction. Local police still track their own arrest logs.
Bridgeport Quick Facts
Bridgeport Police Department Records
The Bridgeport Police Department maintains all arrest logs for the city. They publish a police blotter on their site that shows recent arrests. The blotter updates each month with new arrest logs. Juvenile arrests do not show up on this blotter. The arrest log shows names, dates, and charges for adults taken into custody by city police.
Remember, arrest does not mean guilt. People on the blotter are not guilty until a court convicts them. The arrest log is just a snapshot of who police arrested. You can view the most recent logs directly at the Bridgeport PD website.
For older arrest data or full case files, you need to contact the Records Division. Their office handles all police reports, accident reports, and arrest records for Bridgeport. They are at police headquarters and open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Call (203) 581-5270 for questions about report availability. Copies cost $0.50 per page, so an eight-page report costs $4.00. No report info goes out over the phone. You must visit in person or use their online request system.
| Office | Bridgeport Police Records Division |
|---|---|
| Phone | (203) 581-5270 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (excluding holidays) |
| Copy Fee | $0.50 per side |
| Website | Records Division |
Reports with arrest info are not available from the police until charges finish in court. If you got arrested and need a copy before court, ask your lawyer or the public defender to get it for you. Victims can get copies from the victim advocate at the court. Juvenile and sexual assault reports need approval from a commander, which can take up to five days. Most other reports are ready five to ten business days after the incident.
Connecticut DOC Inmate Search
If someone from Bridgeport is in state custody, their booking info is at the Connecticut Department of Correction. The DOC runs all state jails and prisons since county jails were shut down in 1968. The Bridgeport Correctional Center held 639 inmates in early 2024. You can search for current inmates on the state inmate search portal by name, date of birth, or DOC number.
The DOC updates this data each day. It shows current location, offense, admission date, and release dates if known. Photos and discipline history are also there. Keep in mind that being in jail does not mean a conviction. Some people are held on accused status while they wait for trial. The DOC search does not include youthful offenders or ICE detainees.
For confirmation of a conviction, not just a booking, contact the State Police Bureau of Identification. They keep official criminal history records. The DOC only maintains who is or was in custody, not their conviction status. Call the DOC Public Information Office at (860) 692-7780 for questions. Their main office is at 24 Wolcott Hill Road, Wethersfield, CT 06109.
Court Case Lookup for Bridgeport
Bridgeport residents can search for court cases using the Judicial Branch online system at jud.ct.gov. This site has several search tools. You can look up pending cases by name or docket number, search convictions by defendant name, view daily dockets by court, and check arrest warrants. Conviction info stays on the site for up to ten years after sentencing unless rules say it should come down sooner.
Court records will not show juvenile cases, youthful offender cases, or infractions. Conviction data can change due to erasures, pardons, or corrections. The court cannot guarantee accuracy except on the date you view the data. For phone numbers of local courts, the site lists them by judicial district and geographic area.
Note: Conviction info is removed from the website one month before the end of the display period set by court rules.
Freedom of Information Requests
Under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, arrest records are public unless they fall under one of the exceptions. The Bridgeport Police have an online FOI portal where you can submit requests for records. You may ask for arrest reports, incident reports, or other police documents through this system. Some records may be withheld if they involve ongoing investigations, juvenile matters, or sensitive victim info.
Connecticut General Statutes § 1-215 says records of arrests are public. Law enforcement can provide the name, address, date, time, place, and offense of the arrest. They may give you the arrest report, incident report, or a news release. If a request is denied, you can file a complaint with the Freedom of Information Commission at (860) 566-5682. Complaints must be filed within 30 days of the denial.
Fees and Copy Costs
Bridgeport charges $0.50 per side for police report copies. A simple accident with two cars can run eight pages, which would cost $4.00. If you need a motor vehicle accident report fast, you can buy it online at BuyCrash for an extra fee. Wait at least five business days before checking online for your report. Most reports are ready within five to ten working days. Call the Records Division at (203) 581-5270 to confirm your report is ready before you go to pick it up.
For criminal history checks through the State Police, fees are higher. Fingerprinting costs $15, and a state criminal history check is $75. A federal check adds another $13.25. Those services require an appointment at the State Police Bureau of Identification in Middletown. Call (860) 685-8480 for more info on state-level background checks.
Legal Help in Bridgeport
Several agencies in Connecticut offer help if you face charges or need legal advice. Legal aid groups serve low-income people at no cost. The Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission at portal.ct.gov/foi can help if you have trouble getting public records. They have a toll-free number at (866) 374-3617 for Connecticut residents. Their office is in Hartford but handles complaints from all over the state, including Bridgeport.
For general legal help, contact a lawyer referral service or legal aid group. The state bar can point you to resources. If you are in custody, you have the right to a lawyer. The public defender system handles criminal defense for those who cannot afford private counsel. Ask the court about this if you qualify.
Nearby Cities with Online Arrest Records
Other large cities in Connecticut also post booking reports and arrest logs online. Stamford, Norwalk, and Danbury are all in Fairfield County like Bridgeport. New Haven and Hartford are in other counties but have similar online systems. Check their local police department websites for arrest blotters and records division contact info.
Nearby cities with populations over 25,000:
Fairfield County Booking Reports
Bridgeport is in Fairfield County, which has about 25,000 crimes reported in 2022. All county jails are now state facilities, so booking data goes through the Connecticut DOC. For more on Fairfield County arrest statistics, local police departments, and state jail info, visit the Fairfield County page.