Records of Police Departments
Mugshot Collection
Bertillon Card Collection
WPA Photo Collection
Arrest Records
The City Archives holds a small collection of New Orleans Police Department arrest records. 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. Arrest records from 1881-1935 have been digitized and are available on Ancestry.com at all New Orleans Public Library locations or by subscription. The microfilm volumes for 1936-1947 are unavailable due to condition issues. The remaining microfilm volumes for 1948-1966 are unavailable to the public due to condition issues, but may be accessed and searched by staff.
To request a search of arrest records, 1948-1966, send a message to the Archives. The request must include:
- Name of individual
- Date of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Item number (if requesting a search for an offense report)
(Arrests made prior to the formation of the NOPD may be included, in a limited capacity, in the Early Police Records.)
Request arrest records from the New Orleans Police Department
If you are looking for arrest records after 1966, contact the NOPD directly and file a public records request.
Request Records