New Orleans Police Department
While New Orleans has had an active police force since it incorporation in 1718, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) was formed in the early 1880s. The City Archives holds various administrative and offense records from the NOPD. Administrative materials include payroll records, internal newsletters, press releases, and general orders. Arrest records and various police reports are available in a limited capacity, as explained below. Researchers should note that the City Archives does not hold full case files; rather, the arrest books and offense reports offer a general summary of events and a brief description of arrestee, if applicable. Researchers should pay close attention to the format and access notes of NOPD arrest books, detailed below. Arrest Books from 1881-1935 have been digitized and are available to view on Ancestry.com. Ancestry is accessible in all New Orleans Public Library locations. Researchers seeking arrest records after 1966 should contact the New Orleans Police Department directly.
Arrests
The New Orleans Police Department’s arrest records for the years 1881-1966 were entered into bound volumes, separated by police precinct/ district. In the 1950s, NOPD reorganized its eight police precincts into five police districts. Three districts have since been added; there are currently eight police districts.
- Arrest books from 1881-1935 have been digitized and are available on Ancestry.com at all New Orleans Public Library locations or by subscription.
- The volumes for 1936-1947 are unavailable due to condition issues.
- Arrest Books, 1948-1966; closed to the public, but can be searched by City Archives staff. Email archivist@nolalibrary.org to request a search. Request should include name of arrestee, date, and location of arrest.
Researchers seeking arrest records after 1966 should contact the New Orleans Police Department directly.
New Orleans Police Department Arrest Registers, 1970-1979, are closed to the public but can be searched by City Archives staff. Please email requests to archivist@nolalibrary.org. Request should include name of arrestee, date of arrest, time of arrest (if known), and item/ arrest number (if known).
Arrests by the Homicide Division were recorded in separate volumes. New Orleans Police Department Arrests by the Homicide Division, 1955-1962, have not been microfilmed. They are available to registered researchers by appointment; please request by volume number.
Arrests made by the Tactical Unit, or specialized police force, were recorded in separate volumes. New Orleans Police Department Arrests made by the Tactical Unit, 1961-1967, have not been microfilmed. They are available to registered researchers by appointment; please request by volume number.
Reports
The New Orleans Police Department’s homicide reports for the years 1893-1947 are recorded in bound volumes, one book for each year. Individual reports consist of a standard form and a detailed narrative report usually prepared by the investigating officer. Researchers should be aware that there are significant gaps in these records.
- Homicide Reports, 1893-1947, are available on microfilm, call number: mf TP205h
- Homicide reports from 1898-1913 have been digitized and are available to view through the Criminal Justice Research Center at Ohio State University.
Researchers should note that homicide reports from 1950-1965 are included with the NOPD Offense Reports.
New Orleans Police Department’s Offense Reports are available for the years 1920-1946 and 1950-1973, with some significant gaps. Earlier reports include robberies and crimes against property only; for the years 1950-1965 homicides are also included.
- Offense Reports, 1920-1973 are closed to the public but can be searched by City Archives staff. Email archivist@nolalibrary.org to request a search. Request should include name of victim or arrestee, date of incident, location of incident (if known) and item number (if known).
The City Archives holds a number of additional New Orleans Police Department reports, including traffic summaries, holdups, and special investigations. New Orleans Police Department Reports, have not been microfilmed; they are available to registered researchers by appointment. Please request by volume or box number.
Administrative Records
Includes payroll records, bonds and oaths of officers, press releases, and general orders.
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