Obtaining Police Reports

Making a Request:

  • Requests for information to a governmental body must be submitted in writing. 

  • The request must ask for records or information already in existence.

  • Governmental agencies are not required to create new information, to do legal research, or to answer questions submitted via the Public Information Act.

  • When submitting your request provide the requester's name, address and phone number.

  • Your request needs to be specific about the information needed: Dates, times, location, individuals name and date of birth.

Request Form:

This form is for your convenience or any written request may be submitted asking for police information or records. Please provide the information previously stated when making a request – give requester's name, address, and phone number, be specific about what information or records you are requesting dates, times, location, etc…

Click here to fill out the Online Public Information Request Form

Click to obtain the paper Public Information Request Form

  • To submit a request in person, please visit us at:
         SMU Police Department
         3128 Dyer Street, Suite 212, Dallas, TX 75205

  • To submit a request via Fax: 214-768-4126

  • To submit a request via email: publicinformation@smu.edu

  • To submit a request via mail:
         SMU Police Department
         PO Box 750334 Dallas, TX 75275-0334

Response time:

Most government information is available to the public within 10 (ten) business days (this excludes weekends and holidays). Some exceptions exist and the requester will be informed if the information will not be provided within 10 (ten) business days. If an exception might apply and the governmental body wishes to withhold the information, the governmental body generally must, within 10 (ten) business days of receiving the open records request, refer the matter to the Office of the Attorney General for a ruling on whether an exception applies.

 Southern Methodist University Policy:

 Texas Attorney General: