The Records Division is responsible for the department’s record-keeping and is the repository for all police reports filed with the South Kingstown Police Department. This division maintains and organizes these records while compiling reports that are requested by the public and other agencies.  

Requests for Motor Vehicle Collision reports can be immediately processed through BuyCrash.com.

The Town of South Kingstown is pleased to offer online access to public records (APRA) requests.  

The South Kingstown Police Department (SKPD) considers the confidentiality of its records a priority under federal and state laws but recognizes the right of access to the public records pursuant to R. I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-1 et. seq. You are not required to provide identification or the reason you seek the information, and your right to access public records will not depend upon providing identification or reasons. The SKPD will make a determination as to whether the records are public. A “public record” is defined as “documents, papers, or other material regardless of physical form or characteristics made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency.” Although a document may constitute a public record, there may be some information contained within the document that may be redacted/deleted as it is exempt from disclosure under R.I. General Laws § 38-2-2.

The Access to Public Records Act allows a citizen the opportunity to inspect and/ or copy public records. The cost per copied page of written public documents will be $0.15 per page and an hourly rate not to exceed $15.00 (fifteen) dollars per hour for time spent for the search, retrieval and redaction of necessary documents, with no charge for the first hour. If the request requires a charge to be assessed, due to the manner in which the information is stored, a charge will be made for the actual production and/or reproduction cost. The SKPD will provide an estimate of charges, allowing for a retraction or amendment to the request, prior to any further action by the SKPD. If there are charges associated with the production of documents, the time for the SKPD to produce the documents will be tolled until payment of the charge estimate is received by the SKPD.

To better understand what records are accessible and to review the pertinent laws regarding Access to Public Records & the Open Meetings Act, you may obtain a copy of the Attorney General’s 23rd Annual Open Government Summit Booklet here or the Summit presentation here. Please be advised that the Access to Public Records Act allows a public body ten (10) business days to respond, which can be extended an additional twenty (20) business days for "good cause." We appreciate your understanding and patience. Any person or entity who receives a denial for copies of requested records or the ability to inspect records may petition the Chief of Police at 1790 Kingstown Road South Kingstown, Rhode Island 02879, for a review of the determinations made by the SKPD. The Chief of Police shall make a final determination whether or not to allow public inspection within ten (10) business days. If the denial is confirmed, the individual has a right to file a review petition with the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office. Nothing prohibits you from instituting proceedings in Washington County Superior Court.

The SKPD is committed to providing you with public records in an expeditious and courteous manner.

If, after review of your request, the SKPD determines that the requested records are exempt from disclosure for a reason set forth in the Access to Public Records Act, the SKPD reserves its right to claim such exemption.

Note: If you choose to pick up the records, but do not include identifying information you may refer to your online APRA request number.

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