Temple Police Records Lookup
Temple police records are managed by the Temple Police Department and the Bell County Sheriff's Office. Temple is a Central Texas city in Bell County, located about 65 miles north of Austin along Interstate 35. If you need to search for arrest records, get a copy of an incident report, or check on a criminal case here, you have multiple ways to do it. The police department keeps city-level reports, and the county sheriff runs the jail and handles booking records. Bell County has a population of about 350,000, with Killeen and Temple being the two largest cities. Here is how to find police records in Temple.
Temple Overview
Temple Police Department Records
The Temple Police Department handles law enforcement for the city. The department has a records division, special units, and participates in regional task forces. Incident reports, arrest records, and traffic accident reports from within Temple go through this department.
Bell County is home to Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), one of the largest military installations in the country. While the base is closer to Killeen, Temple sees some of the spillover population and activity. The county seat is Belton, not Temple, so some county offices are a short drive away. The Bell County Sheriff's Office handles jail operations and county law enforcement from the courthouse area in Belton.
| Agency | Temple Police Department |
|---|---|
| County | Bell County |
| County Seat | Belton |
| Sheriff Phone | (254) 933-5400 |
| District Clerk | (254) 933-5195 |
Arrests made by Temple PD go through the Bell County Jail at 113 N. Main Street in Belton. The sheriff's office takes over custody and handles booking from that point. You can call (254) 933-5400 for jail inquiries. The county clerk at (254) 933-5160 keeps misdemeanor court records, and the district clerk at (254) 933-5195 handles felony case files.
How to Search Temple Police Records
Try online first. The Bell County Sheriff may have an inmate roster on their website. The Texas Judicial Branch portal lets you look up Bell County court records online. Court records include charges, case filings, docket entries, and dispositions.
For Temple police reports, submit a written request to the Temple PD records division. You can also request records from the Bell County Sheriff for jail and booking data. Under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, agencies must respond within 10 business days. Include specific details in your request: date, location, and names involved.
Copies are $0.10 per page. Big requests may carry labor fees of $15 per hour plus 20% overhead. The first 50 pages could be free if the records sit in one spot. Anything expected to cost more than $40 gets an estimate sent to you before work starts. The Texas Attorney General oversees public information disputes.
Statewide Records Resources
The DPS Crime Records Division holds the Computerized Criminal History database with conviction records from agencies across Texas. You can search by name for a small fee. The TDCJ Offender Search shows current state prison inmates and parolees for free.
The TDCJ Inmate Search Portal lets you look up anyone in the Texas state prison system by name or ID number. It shows facility location, offense details, and projected release dates. The system updates nightly. You do not need an account to search. Just enter the person's name and review the results.
For crash reports from Temple, the TxDOT CRIS system sells copies at $6 each. The VINE victim notification system tracks offender custody changes in real time. The TCOLE website lets you verify officer credentials.
Police Records Law in Texas
The Public Information Act makes government records open to anyone. Exceptions exist for active investigations (Section 552.108), crime victim data, and juvenile records. The Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 60 governs how Temple PD reports criminal history data to DPS.
Denied requests must go to the Attorney General within 10 business days. The AG rules within 45 working days. You can call the hotline at (512) 478-6736 for help. Officials who hide public records on purpose face criminal penalties.
Bell County Police Records
Temple is in Bell County. The county seat is Belton, where the courthouse and main county offices are located. Bell County has about 350,000 residents and includes Killeen, Temple, and several smaller cities. For the complete county guide, visit the Bell County page.
Nearby Cities
Temple is near other Central Texas cities that also have police records pages on this site.