McAllen Police Department
TO OBTAIN POLICE INFORMATION OR RECORD
Texas Government Code 552, also known as the Public Information Act, gives the public right of access to government information. However, exceptions and fees may apply to some requests. Fees are promulgated by the sections 552.261 through 552.275 of the Texas Government Code. A public information request must be made in writing.
The City of McAllen has one central location to submit an Open Records request. The Governmental Body’s (“the City”) appropriate method is the following:
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Online: Log into the Open Records Center on the city’s website.
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By Mail to:
Attn: Perla Lara, Public Information Specialist
City of McAllen – City Secretary Department
P.O. Box 220
McAllen, TX 78505-0220
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By Email to: pir@mcallen.net
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In Person at:
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McAllen City Hall – City Secretary’s Department (2nd Floor)
- Location: 1300 Houston Ave, McAllen, TX
- Hours: 8:00am to 5:00pm (Monday – Friday)
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McAllen Police Department
- Location: 1601 N Bicentennial Blvd, McAllen, TX
- Hours: 8:00 am to 6:00pm (Monday – Friday)
The McAllen Police Department does not accept civil subpoenas by email, facsimile, or regular mail because service by these methods is not a proper method of service under section 176.5(a) of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and/or any fees required by law were not tendered. TEX.R.CIV.PROC. 176.5(a).
Requests will be answered in writing, along with an invoice indicating any charges incurred. No reports will be faxed. The McAllen Police Department must within ten (10) days of receiving request notify requestor whether an exception applies and request a ruling from the Office of the Attorney General or otherwise release the crash report.
For additional Open Government resources, visit the website of the
Attorney General of Texas.
Motor Vehicle Crash Report Requests
TxDOT is the custodian of crash records for the state of Texas. The McAllen Police Department adheres to the requirements of Chapter 550.065 of the Texas Transportation Code regarding the release of crash report information and any fees charged. Upon written request and payment of required fees, the department will provide a copy of the crash report. [84th Leg., H.B. 2633, effective June 18, 2015]
The City of McAllen participates with the Texas Crash Records Information System (C.R.I.S.). Our crash reports are uploaded to this system. The state retention schedule for crash reports and data is 10 years.
You may request a copy of a crash report online by using the
Crash Report Online Purchase System
from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Transportation Code §550.065(c)(4) limits the release of a crash report to any person directly concerned in the accident or having a proper interest therein. Requestors that do not meet the requirements will receive a redacted crash report.
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You may also request a copy of a crash report through the police department by using one of the approved methods for accessing open records, as previously outlined.
Clearance Letter Requests
The McAllen Police Department conducts local criminal clearance letters during normal business hours. Clearance letter requests are ONLY created with the subject’s authorization and verification of identification. Any third party requests must be accompanied by a signed and notarized authorization release form from the person being inquired. No Clearance letters are performed for persons under the age of 17.
Proper identification is required to complete a clearance letter request (i.e. state issued driver’s license, state issued ID, military ID, Resident Alien registration card, and/or Passport). All identification must be current and valid in order to process your request. Copies of proper identification are required for all third party requests. If a request is submitted online, copies of proper identification are required prior to processing.
All Clearance letters are limited only to information found in local McAllen Police Department records. It DOES NOT include any records of other cities, counties, states or in the U.S. For traffic citations & violations, contact the McAllen Municipal Court for disposition letters at (956) 681-2900 or by visiting the McAllen Municipal Court at 1601 N Bicentennial Blvd, McAllen, TX.