Find Rochester Police Records

Rochester police records are maintained by the Rochester Police Department and are available to the public under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. The department is based at 101 4th Street SE and handles requests for arrest logs, incident reports, and related law enforcement data for Minnesota's third-largest city. Most arrest data is public by law, though records tied to active investigations remain confidential until the case closes. This page explains how to request records from Rochester PD, what the records contain, and how to use state systems like MCRO and the BCA for broader searches in the Olmsted County area.

Rochester Police Department

The Rochester Police Department serves the city and handles all local law enforcement. The department maintains records on arrests, incidents, calls for service, and internal investigations. For public records requests, contact the department directly at the address below or check their website for current procedures.

• Address: 101 4th Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904
• Non-Emergency: (507) 328-6800
• Website: www.rochestermn.gov/departments/police

Call the non-emergency line or visit the department's website to confirm current records request hours and any changes to procedures. Rochester PD may use an online portal, a written request form, or in-person intake depending on the type of record needed. Checking ahead saves time.

How to Request Records from Rochester PD

Under Minnesota law, any person can request public law enforcement records. There is no requirement to explain why you want the data. Here are the main options for getting Rochester police records.

In Person

Visit the Rochester Police Department at 101 4th Street SE during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID, especially if you are requesting records about yourself. A department staff member will help you fill out a data practices request form. Simple requests for basic arrest data or a specific report can sometimes be handled the same day.

By Mail

Write a request and send it to the Rochester Police Department at 101 4th Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904. Include the date range or case number you are looking for, the type of record, and your return address. If you are the subject of the record, include a copy of your ID. Mail requests may take several days to a few weeks depending on volume.

Online

Check the Rochester city website or the police department page for any online data request options. Some Minnesota cities use a shared platform for data practices requests. If an online form is available, it is typically the fastest route for routine records.

Fees follow Minn. Stat. 13.03. Inspection of public records is free. Printed copies cost $0.25 per page for the first 100 pages. Larger requests may be priced at actual cost. You cannot be charged a search fee for locating records unless the request is unusually broad or time-consuming.

What Rochester Police Records Include

Minnesota's data practices law is specific about what law enforcement must release. Under Minn. Stat. 13.82, the following arrest data is public for any person taken into custody:

• Full name of the arrested person
• Age, sex, and last known address
• The charge or charges
• Date, time, and location of arrest
• Booking photo
• Whether the person was released or detained

Incident reports contain more information, including officer narratives, witness details, and property descriptions. Some parts may be redacted if the case is still open or if the data involves a juvenile or a crime victim with privacy protections. Once a case closes, more of the report typically becomes accessible.

Investigative data is confidential while the investigation is active. This is a standard exception under state law and applies to all Minnesota police departments, not just Rochester. If you ask for a report on a recent incident and are told the data is not yet public, ask when the investigation is expected to close and follow up at that time.

Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)

Court cases connected to Rochester Police arrests go through the 3rd Judicial District, which covers Olmsted County and the surrounding region. You can search those cases for free through the Minnesota Court Records Online system.

Go to publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us and search by name or case number. MCRO shows case filings, charges, hearing schedules, and outcomes for cases across Minnesota. It covers the 3rd Judicial District court in Rochester, so you can look up cases filed in connection with any Rochester arrest. The system is free to use and available at any time.

For documents not yet in MCRO, visit the Olmsted County Courthouse at 101 4th Street SE (the same building as Rochester PD). Court administration staff can pull paper files and make copies. There is a small per-page charge for printed court documents.

BCA Statewide Criminal History

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension holds statewide criminal history records that go beyond what Rochester PD maintains locally. The BCA collects data from all Minnesota law enforcement agencies and courts, so a BCA check covers arrests and convictions anywhere in the state.

Under Minn. Stat. 13.87, criminal history records are private data. The subject of the record can access their own history. Employers in certain fields and licensed agencies have specific access rights under state law. General members of the public do not have unrestricted access to another person's full criminal history.

To run a check or get your own record, call the BCA at 651-793-2400, option 7. You can also visit the BCA background checks page online. The BCA offers name-based and fingerprint-based checks. Fingerprint checks are more accurate, especially when a name has multiple spellings or is common enough to return many matches.

Your Rights as a Data Subject

If the records you are requesting are about you, you have stronger rights than a member of the general public. Minn. Stat. 13.04 requires any government agency to tell you what data it holds on you, how it is used, and who can see it. You can inspect your own data at no charge and get copies for the standard per-page rate.

You also have the right to challenge data you believe is wrong. If Rochester PD has inaccurate information in your file, you can request a correction. If the department denies your challenge, you can appeal. The Minnesota Department of Administration's Information Policy Analysis Division handles these disputes at the state level and can advise on how to proceed.

Minn. Stat. 13.025 requires all government entities to post a data practices notice that explains what data they collect and how it is used. Rochester PD should have this notice available at the department or on its website.

Olmsted County Sheriff and Other Local Agencies

Outside Rochester's city limits, law enforcement is handled by the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office. If an incident occurred outside the city but within the county, the sheriff may hold the relevant records rather than the Rochester Police Department. The two agencies operate separately and maintain their own records systems.

The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office is also at the courthouse complex in Rochester. Contact them directly if you need records for an unincorporated area of the county or a smaller community that contracts with the sheriff for patrol services.

For federal cases or incidents involving multiple jurisdictions, check the federal court system through PACER (pacer.gov) or contact the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Minnesota. Federal records are separate from state and local police data and follow different access rules.

Olmsted County Police Records

Rochester is the county seat of Olmsted County. The county's district court -- part of the 3rd Judicial District -- handles all criminal cases connected to Rochester arrests and maintains court records that complement police department files.

Other Minnesota Cities

Rochester is in the southern part of Minnesota with no other qualifying cities immediately nearby. The closest large cities with police records pages are in the Twin Cities metro area.