Erie County Police Records and Public Data
Erie County is located in the northwest corner of Pennsylvania along the shores of Lake Erie. About 270,000 people live here, and the county seat is the city of Erie. The county borders Ohio to the west, giving it a distinct geographic and economic character within Pennsylvania. Police records in Erie County come from multiple sources: the Erie County Sheriff, the Erie City Bureau of Police, municipal departments, and the Pennsylvania State Police. County Executive Christina Vogel leads county government, and District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz heads criminal prosecution. This guide explains how to find Erie County police records through local offices, state systems, and online tools open to the public.
Erie County Quick Facts
Erie County Sheriff Police Records
Sheriff Chris Campanelli leads the Erie County Sheriff's Office. The office provides law enforcement services, court security, and prisoner transport throughout the county. Firearms processing is another key function handled by the Sheriff's staff.
The Erie County Sheriff's office works alongside the DA's office, local police departments, and the Pennsylvania State Police to coordinate law enforcement across the county. Court security for the Erie County Courthouse is a primary daily responsibility. Civil process, including service of court orders and writs, is handled throughout the county.
The image below is from the Erie County official website, which provides links to the Sheriff's office and other county departments.
The county website at eriecountypa.gov includes a Right-to-Know records request portal. This makes it possible to submit formal RTK requests to county agencies online without visiting county offices in person. Requests are governed under 65 P.S. §§ 67.101-67.3104, which requires agencies to respond within five business days.
President Judge John J. Mead oversees the Erie County Court of Common Pleas. Criminal court records from the courthouse are accessible through the Clerk of Courts or the Pennsylvania UJS Portal at no cost. Criminal records fall under 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 9101-9183 for access and use restrictions.
Erie City Police Right-to-Know Requests
The Erie City Bureau of Police handles law enforcement within the city of Erie. Police records from the city department are separate from county records and follow the city's own RTK process. The bureau is located at 145 West 6th Street, Erie, PA 16501. For non-emergency matters, call 814-870-1123.
Written RTK requests to the Erie City Bureau of Police must go to the department's RTK officer. Office hours for records requests are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Submit requests in writing to ensure proper processing and a documented paper trail.
The image below is from the Erie City Police Right-to-Know requests page, which provides step-by-step guidance on how to request records from the department.
The Erie City Police RTK page outlines what records are typically available, how to submit your request, and what to expect in terms of response timelines. As with all Pennsylvania agencies, the department must respond within five business days. Copy fees are $0.25 per page.
Active criminal investigation files are generally exempt from release while a case is pending. Once an investigation closes, the related records may become available through a formal RTK request. If a request is denied, you can appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov or by calling 717-346-9903.
Note: Records requests to the city police department are separate from requests to the Erie County Sheriff or county court offices. Each agency processes its own requests independently.
Erie County Criminal Court Records
The Erie County Court of Common Pleas maintains all criminal case records for the county. Records include charging documents, guilty pleas, trial records, sentencing orders, and post-conviction filings. Adult criminal court records are generally available to the public.
Juvenile records are sealed from public access by state law. Expunged and sealed adult records are also not available through any public system. For most available criminal records, the free Pennsylvania UJS Portal provides online docket access covering all 67 counties. You can search by name or docket number and review case history without visiting the courthouse.
Criminal records in Erie County fall under 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 9101-9183, the Criminal History Record Information Act. CHRIA governs who may access criminal record data and how it may be used once obtained. Certified copies of court records can be obtained from the Clerk of Courts at the Erie County Courthouse in person or by written request.
PATCH Background Checks for Erie County
Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History, PATCH, is the statewide system for criminal background checks through the Pennsylvania State Police. The fee is $22 per search. PATCH covers Erie County and all other Pennsylvania counties, returning conviction data under 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 9101-9183.
Submit a PATCH request through the PATCH overview page. Searches run by name and date of birth and return quickly for online submissions. PATCH returns conviction records only. Arrests without convictions, federal records, and records from other states are not included in PATCH results.
The Pennsylvania State Police patrol rural areas and townships throughout Erie County. PSP incident reports from Erie County barracks are available through the PSP Records Request portal. For formal Right-to-Know requests to PSP, use the PSP RTK request page. Vehicle crash reports from PSP cost $22 and are ordered through the crash report request page.
Sex Offender Registry and Crime Statistics in Erie County
Pennsylvania's sex offender registry is searchable online through the Pennsylvania Megan's Law website. You can search for registered offenders in the city of Erie or any part of Erie County by name, zip code, or address. The registry includes photos, current addresses, and offense details for all registered offenders.
Erie County crime data is compiled and published through the Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System. This annual report covers offenses reported by all law enforcement agencies in the state, including Erie City Police, the Erie County Sheriff, municipal departments, and PSP. The data provides useful context for understanding crime trends across the county.
For general information about Pennsylvania State Police services and programs in Erie County, visit the PSP main page. The PSP website lists all barracks locations, contact numbers, and available services for residents throughout the state.
Note: Crime statistics represent reported incidents only and may not capture all law enforcement activity in a given year.
Nearby Counties
Erie County shares borders with Crawford and Warren counties in Pennsylvania, and also borders the state of Ohio. If a records search involves incidents near county lines, check these neighboring counties as well.