Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department: Reports, Stations, Custody and Records

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) provides patrol services for designated communities, operates county jails, supports courthouse security and civil process services, and handles several records, licensing, and enforcement programs. This guide helps you identify the appropriate agency or office and prepare for common requests.

Independent information guide: This website is not affiliated with LASD. Official agencies handle crime reports, custody records, service requests, complaints, licenses, and payments.

Need emergency assistance? Call 911 for an immediate threat to life or safety, a crime in progress, or another emergency requiring an immediate response. Online reporting, email, and general contact forms are not emergency services.

Choose Your Next Step

Start with the service you need. Filing a crime report, obtaining an existing report, finding someone in custody, and arranging service of court documents require different procedures.

Starting points for common Sheriff's Department requests

Your situation	Where to start	What to prepare
You need an immediate emergency response	Call 911.	Your location, the nature of the emergency, and any immediate hazards.
You want to report a nonemergency incident	Identify the agency serving the incident location, then contact the responsible station or review online reporting eligibility.	Incident address, date, description, and relevant property or suspect information.
You want a copy of an existing report or another LASD record	Choose the appropriate records request process.	Record type, report or booking number if available, dates, and identifying details.
You need to locate someone in county custody	Use official custody services or call Inmate Information.	Full name, date of birth, and booking number if known.
You need the Sheriff to serve court documents	Review Civil Process Service instructions.	Court documents, case number, service address, and the instructions required for that process.
You want to complain about or commend an employee	Use the official employee feedback process.	Date, location, employee information if known, and a factual description.
You need a CCW application, renewal, or modification	Check the instructions for your applicant category.	Residence information, existing license or application details, and the documents requested by the licensing authority.
You have a parking citation or neighborhood parking concern	Identify the issuing agency or responsible parking contact.	Citation number when applicable, vehicle information, and the relevant location.

Find the Correct Station

LASD patrol stations serve designated contract cities and unincorporated communities. Some cities have their own police departments, so an address within Los Angeles County is not automatically within LASD's patrol jurisdiction.

Use the Incident Location

1. Identify the complete street address where the incident occurred.
2. Review the service-area information in the official LASD station directory and the relevant station page.
3. If jurisdiction is unclear, call the station with the address and nearest cross streets.
4. Follow the responsible agency's instructions for reporting or requesting assistance.

A postal city name, ZIP Code, or nearby station does not by itself establish jurisdiction. For an incident report, use the incident address rather than your home address. Licensing and other residence-based services may use different eligibility rules.

If the online reporting system does not recognize an address, LASD directs users to contact a station. Provide the full location and cross streets rather than selecting an unrelated address to continue.

Choose a Station or Specialized Unit

A patrol station is a local starting point for nonemergency incidents in its service area. Custody information, records requests, civil process, employee complaints, and CCW applications may be handled by specialized offices.

Use the specialized contact table for those services. The official LASD phone directory lists additional units.

Report a Crime

Emergency Reports

Call 911 when immediate assistance is needed. Give the dispatcher your location first, describe what is happening, and answer the questions asked. Provide suspect descriptions or a direction of travel only when you can observe them safely.

Nonemergency Reports

Contact the law-enforcement agency serving the incident location. Within an LASD patrol area, the responsible station can explain whether the incident should be reported by telephone, in person, or through the online system.

Do not assume that a low financial loss makes an incident eligible for online reporting. Injuries, violence, weapons, suspect information, and other circumstances affect the reporting method.

Anonymous Crime Tips

LASD directs people who wish to provide anonymous crime information to Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or through the resources on its official tip information page.

An anonymous tip is different from a formal crime report. Do not use a tip service to request an emergency response or assume that it will provide the report needed for an insurance or records request.

Online Crime Reporting Rules

The Sheriff's Online Report Tracking System (SORTS) accepts specific incident categories. Review its eligibility questions before preparing an online report.

Incident categories listed for LASD online reporting

Incident category	Published limit or condition
Lost or stolen cell phone	Valued at $950 or less.
Lost or stolen property	Valued at $950 or less.
Vandalism, excluding graffiti	Damage valued under $400.
Theft from an unlocked vehicle	Property valued at $950 or less.
Theft from an open or unsecured area	Property valued at $950 or less.
Supplemental Loss Form	An existing LASD report number is required.

Eligibility Questions

You must be at least 18 years old, have a valid email address, and confirm that the incident occurred within LASD's patrol area. SORTS reports are not anonymous.

The system directs users to contact a station when the screening identifies circumstances such as:

• Someone was injured.
• Weapons or violence were involved.
• The incident occurred because of race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.
• Information is available about the person responsible.
• Photographs or video show the incident occurring.

Answer the questions according to the circumstances. The question about images of an incident occurring should not be confused with a photograph taken afterward to document missing or damaged property. Contact a station if you are unsure how the condition applies.

Prepare Your Information

• The incident address and nearest cross streets.
• The date and approximate time or time range.
• A clear description of what happened.
• Property descriptions and estimated values.
• Serial numbers, model numbers, or distinguishing marks when available.
• Relevant vehicle information.
• An email address you can reliably access.
• The existing LASD report number for a supplemental loss submission.

Review the information before submitting. LASD states that the submission is used to create a police report and warns that knowingly providing false information is a crime.

Review and Report Copies

Submitting the form does not mean the report has been approved. LASD reviews online reports and may contact you by email, telephone, or in person for additional information.

After approval, a free report copy is emailed to the reporting person. Keep the approved copy and report number. Check your spam or junk folder if an expected message does not appear, and follow any instructions requesting additional information.

Custody and Inmate Services

The official LASD custody page provides entry points for inmate searches, facility information, visitation, mail, deposits, and medical or special-needs information.

For general custody questions or help locating an incarcerated person, call 213-473-6100. For custody healthcare concerns requiring immediate assistance, LASD lists the Medical Command Center at 213-893-5544.

Finding a Custody Record

• Have the person's full name and date of birth available.
• Use a booking number when known to help distinguish similar names.
• Review the current facility and other available details before arranging a visit or using a custody service.
• Contact Inmate Information when you cannot identify the correct record.

LASD states that records are not available for bookings within the previous two hours. A recent arrest may therefore produce no immediate result. This is not a guarantee that a record will appear exactly two hours later, and an empty search result alone does not explain someone's custody status.

A booking number is different from a crime-report number or court case number. Use the identifier requested by the particular custody service.

Visits, Mail, and Deposits

Confirm the person's current housing location and review that facility's instructions before traveling, sending mail, or depositing funds. Transfers and facility procedures can change.

Check visitor registration and scheduling requirements, identification rules, permitted property, clothing restrictions, and arrival instructions. Use the official custody page to reach the relevant service or authorized provider.

County courthouses do not provide ordinary inmate visitation. A scheduled court appearance should not be treated as an opportunity for a jail visit or unauthorized contact.

Victim Custody Notifications

LASD's victim resources page explains the Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) program, which provides custody information and registration for release or transfer notifications.

Follow the registration instructions for the person and facility you wish to monitor. LASD explains that a transfer from the county jail system to a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation facility requires registration under the state facility. Keep your notification contact information current.

Court Security and Civil Process

The LASD Court Services Division provides courthouse security, courtroom support, inmate security, and civil process services. Court filings, hearing assignments, and court orders are handled through the court's own offices and systems.

Prepare for Courthouse Screening

• Allow time for entrance screening before a scheduled appearance.
• Expect your belongings to be screened when entering or reentering.
• Leave weapons and unnecessary items that could be restricted at home.
• Review the courthouse's current security instructions before bringing unusual equipment or property.
• Follow security personnel's directions at the entrance.

Do not rely on a courthouse providing storage for a prohibited or restricted item. Bringing a weapon may result in confiscation and arrest.

Courtroom Conduct and Electronic Devices

Follow the assigned courtroom's instructions for dress, conduct, and cellphone or electronic-device use. Bringing a device into the building does not establish permission to use it during a proceeding.

Review the court's rules and obtain any required authorization before photographing, recording, or broadcasting. Follow the judicial officer's directions throughout the hearing.

Service of Civil Process

Civil process service concerns delivery or enforcement of judicial documents under the applicable procedure. It is separate from filing those documents with a court or making a crime report.

1. Open the Civil Process Service resource linked from the official Court Services page.
2. Identify the office responsible for the type and location of service.
3. Review the required documents, written instructions, fees, and any applicable fee-waiver arrangements.
4. Provide the court case number and service details requested by that office.
5. Keep the service reference and follow the instructions for checking the result or obtaining proof of service.

For Civil Processing and Evictions contact information, the LASD phone directory lists 213-972-3930. Confirm the appropriate office before mailing documents or visiting.

Request Law-Enforcement Records

The official records request page separates requests by record type and handling unit. Some requests use the California Public Records Act process; others follow separate access or release procedures.

LASD record types and request routes

Record or request	Where to start	What to check
A victim's crime report, qualifying arrest or booking information, letters, or other listed public services	Records and Identification Bureau, Public Services Section.	Eligibility, identification, required documents, fees, and appointment requirements.
Non-custody public records, such as qualifying calls-for-service records or 911 recordings	Risk Management Bureau, Public Records Act Unit.	The current submission instructions and details needed to identify the records.
Jail-related public records	Custody Services Support Bureau, Public Records Act Unit.	Custody record categories, submission instructions, and any access restrictions.
A subpoena directed to LASD for records	Records and Identification Bureau, Subpoena Control.	The required service procedure, documents, and handling instructions.
Traffic collision records or discovery for an upcoming noncriminal citation contest	The Traffic Bureau at the station handling the citation or collision.	The report or citation identifier and the applicable request procedure.
Court filings, court orders, or court transcripts	The responsible court's records services.	Court case number, record type, and the court's copy or transcript process.

Public Services Appointments

The Records and Identification Bureau Public Services Section is located at 12440 East Imperial Highway, Suite 120 West, Norwalk, CA 90650. Its listed telephone number is 562-345-4441.

Services are provided by appointment only. The records page lists public service hours of Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Review current appointment and document instructions before traveling.

Describe the Records Clearly

• Identify the type of record requested.
• Include a report number, booking number, or other relevant reference when available.
• Provide dates, locations, and names needed to identify the event.
• Specify the records sought rather than combining unrelated requests.
• Follow the handling unit's instructions for identification or supporting documents.

Submitting a request does not establish that every requested item is publicly releasable. Access may depend on the record, the requester, confidentiality requirements, and applicable disclosure rules.

Employee Complaints and Commendations

File an Employee Complaint

The official complaint page provides submission options and information about reporting concerns involving an LASD employee's conduct or department services. Anonymous complaints are permitted.

You may call 800-698-8255 or review the page for online, in-person, mail, and virtual-appointment options. It also links to the Los Angeles County Office of Inspector General's complaint process.

• Describe the date, approximate time, and location.
• Identify the station, unit, or employee when known.
• Explain what you observed and the conduct you are reporting.
• Provide relevant report, booking, or citation numbers when available.
• Follow the official instructions for submitting supporting evidence.

An employee complaint does not replace an emergency call, a crime report, a records request, or the procedure for contesting a citation or court decision.

Commend an Employee

To recognize helpful or professional service, use the File a Commendation option linked from the official complaint page or review the virtual meeting arrangements for employee feedback.

Include the employee's name or identifying information when available, along with the date, location, and a description of the service you appreciated.

Concealed-Carry Licensing

Use the official LASD concealed-carry weapon licensing page for current application, renewal, modification, documentation, and fee instructions. Requirements differ by applicant category and can change.

Select the Appropriate Application Path

• First-time California resident applicants: LASD directs applicants to check whether they live in an LASD contract city or unincorporated community. Residents of other municipalities are directed to the appropriate local police department.
• Existing LASD license holders: Follow the renewal instructions. LASD states that existing holders who do not reside in a contract city may still apply to LASD for renewal.
• Non-California residents: LASD publishes separate instructions for qualifying residents of other U.S. states and territories, including requirements concerning their intended California destination.
• License modifications: Use the modification process for changes identified in the department's instructions.

Follow the Required Sequence

Review the current eligibility and document checklist before submitting. Follow the investigator's instructions for Live Scan and the CCW Unit's authorization for training rather than completing those steps on your own timetable.

LASD's current instructions include new fingerprint requirements for renewals and restrictions on accepting Live Scan or training completed before an application was submitted. Check these notices before arranging appointments or paying a training provider.

Monitor the email address associated with your application, including spam and junk folders. Keep your application reference and respond within the periods specified in official messages.

For process questions, call the CCW Unit at 323-981-6077. Follow the unit's appointment and pickup instructions before visiting; LASD directs applicants not to bring firearms to license pickup.

Parking Enforcement Matters

The LASD Parking Enforcement Detail provides parking-related information and service contacts for unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.

Payments and Citation Contests

Check the issuing agency and instructions printed on your citation. Use the payment, payment-plan, or contest resources linked from the official parking page when they apply to your citation.

Have the citation number available and enter any additional vehicle or owner information requested by the system. A parking citation is different from a moving-violation traffic ticket handled through court procedures.

Follow the citation's contest instructions and deadlines. Sending a general parking inquiry or employee complaint should not be treated as completing a citation contest.

Neighborhood Parking Concerns

The parking page provides an address-based contact tool and station-specific service options. Give the exact location, the parking condition, and relevant vehicle details when requesting assistance.

For street sweeping, parking signs, or other roadway services, use the Public Works resources identified on the official page. Applicable restrictions may depend on local rules and posted signs.

Recreational Vehicles and Encampment Concerns

LASD states that Parking Enforcement Detail can issue parking citations and warnings within its authority but does not have authority to remove unhoused people or RV encampments. The department directs people seeking assistance with those concerns to the local Sheriff's station.

Specialized Service Contacts

Choose the contact that matches your request. Headquarters is not a substitute for emergency dispatch, a jail visitation office, or every specialized service unit.

LASD contacts for specialized services

Service	Telephone or official entry point	Purpose and visit information
Emergency assistance	911	Immediate threats to life or safety and other emergencies requiring an immediate response.
LASD headquarters	213-229-1700	General department information. Headquarters address: 211 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
Inmate Information	213-473-6100	General custody questions and assistance locating an incarcerated person.
Custody Medical Command Center	213-893-5544	Custody healthcare concerns requiring immediate assistance.
Records and Identification Bureau, Public Services Section	562-345-4441	Records and identification services listed by the bureau, by appointment only. 12440 East Imperial Highway, Suite 120 West, Norwalk, CA 90650.
Records and Identification Bureau, Subpoena Control	562-345-4437	Subpoena procedures for LASD records. 12440 East Imperial Highway, Suite 400 West, Norwalk, CA 90650.
Civil Processing and Evictions	213-972-3930	Civil process information. Confirm the appropriate handling office and submission requirements.
Employee complaints	800-698-8255	Employee conduct complaints. Mail option: LA County Sheriff – Commendations & Complaints, P.O. Box 327, Monterey Park, CA 91754.
CCW Unit	323-981-6077	CCW process questions. Follow appointment instructions for 4700 West Ramona Boulevard, Monterey Park, CA 91754.
Non-custody and custody public records requests	Official records request instructions	Choose the correct Public Records Act unit and use its current submission details.

Patrol Station Directory

Use this directory after identifying the responsible patrol area. A station's name or proximity does not establish that it serves a particular address. These telephone numbers are station contacts; call 911 for emergencies.

LASD patrol station addresses and telephone numbers

Station	Address	Telephone
Altadena	780 East Altadena Drive, Altadena, CA 91001	626-798-1131
Avalon	215 Sumner Avenue, Avalon, CA 90704	310-510-0174
Carson	21356 South Avalon Boulevard, Carson, CA 90745	310-830-1123
Century	11703 South Alameda Street, Lynwood, CA 90262	323-568-4800
Cerritos	18135 Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos, CA 90703	562-860-0044
Compton	301 South Willowbrook Avenue, Compton, CA 90220	310-605-6500
Crescenta Valley	4554 Briggs Avenue, La Crescenta, CA 91214	818-248-3464
East Los Angeles	5019 East Third Street, East Los Angeles, CA 90022	323-264-4151
Industry	150 North Hudson Avenue, City of Industry, CA 91744	626-330-3322
Lakewood	5130 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, CA 90712	562-623-3500
Lancaster	501 West Lancaster Boulevard, Lancaster, CA 93534	661-948-8466
Lomita	26123 Narbonne Avenue, Lomita, CA 90717	310-539-1661
Malibu/Lost Hills	27050 Agoura Road, Agoura, CA 91301-5336	818-878-1808
Marina del Rey	13851 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292	310-482-6000
Norwalk	12335 Civic Center Drive, Norwalk, CA 90650	562-863-8711
Palmdale	750 East Avenue Q, Palmdale, CA 93550	661-272-2400
Pico Rivera	6631 Passons Boulevard, Pico Rivera, CA 90660	562-949-2421
San Dimas	270 South Walnut Avenue, San Dimas, CA 91773-2646	909-450-2700
Santa Clarita Valley	26201 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91350	661-260-4000
South Los Angeles	1310 West Imperial Highway, Los Angeles, CA 90044	323-820-6700
Temple	8838 Las Tunas Drive, Temple City, CA 91780	626-285-7171
Walnut/Diamond Bar	21695 East Valley Boulevard, Walnut, CA 91789	626-913-1715
West Hollywood	780 North San Vicente Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069	310-855-8850

The Transit Services Bureau is a separate specialized contact listed at 2000 East Imperial Highway, Los Angeles, CA 90059, telephone 323-563-5000. Use the official station directory for current station pages, service-area information, and additional contacts.

If you find an outdated detail or broken link in this guide, please contact our website editor. Crime reports, custody questions, records requests, and other service matters should go to the responsible official agency.