FAQ

Police reports and/or CAD’s (records) handled by the Valparaiso Police Department are released in accordance with the State of Florida’s Public Records Act. 

Open investigation reports are not available for release. The Valparaiso PD only retains records for the current and 4 prior years. Back-ground checks done by Valparaiso PD only cover the Valparaiso PD jurisdiction.

Requests can be submitted 24/7 via:

· In person at, or by mail to: 465 Valparaiso Pkwy; Valparaiso, FL 32580

· By phone: (850) 729-5400

· By email: bbarfield [at] valp.org (bbarfield[at]valp[dot]org)

· By fax: (850) 678-8162

Official crash reports are availble 10 days after the date of the crash.  At the time of the crash you should have been emailed or given a paper copy of the Driver Exchange of Information.  You can start the claims process immediatly with the information on this form. You can also request a copy online at the link below. 

TO REQUEST A TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT  

The police are here to serve you, but we cannot be everywhere at once.  If you call the police and you were wrong, it's okay, you will not be in trouble. Your role as a concerned citizen is to report whatever you think is wrong or suspicious.  

There are probably many people and situations that might be considered suspicious. A suspicious activity is when a person or persons conduct or action does not fit the normal day to day activity of your area. If you feel that something is unusual or looks wrong, it probably is. Follow your intuition. In your neighborhood, we do not always know what is suspicious and what is not.

If it is suspicious to you, it's suspicious to us. It is better to be safe than sorry. With your help in reporting suspicious activities, your Police Officers can more effectively protect the citizens in your community. 

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Remember, there are many activities that could be considered suspicious. There could be reasonable explanations for some suspicious activities. By thinking things through, being observant, and using common sense, you will be able to make a good judgment about whether an activity is suspicious.

Consider The Following Activities As Suspicious

1. A person or vehicle stays in the same place for an unusual length of time.
2. A parked car with the engine running.
3. A person behaves strangely or exhibits unusual movements.
4. A person concealing an object or carrying a weapon.
5. A person looking into cars, moving from car to car, and/or tries door handle.
6. A person running from an area for no apparent reason, especially at night.
7. A person carrying/transporting unusual/valuable objects, day or night.
8. A person sells/conducts business out of their car, van, truck, or other vehicle.
9. A vehicle drives around your block frequently, slowing down, speeding up.
10. A vehicle without lights on, arriving or leaving at night.
11. A person you don't know offering candy or gifts to children.
12. Going door to door in residential area especially suspicious if, after few houses are visited, one or more of the subjects goes into a back or side yard. More suspicious if another remains in the front when this occurs.
13. Waiting in front of a house or business is particularly suspicious if owners are absent, or, if it's a business, and the establishment is closed.
14. Exhibiting unusual mental or physical symptoms Do not approach these people.
15. Certain moving vehicles especially if slow moving and without lights, or if the course followed appears aimless or repetitive. This is suspicious in any location, but particularly in the area of schools, parks, or playgrounds.

The  Department invites requests for traffic enforcement, especially in residential areas. Simply call the main telephone number 850-729-5400 and report the problem. Once a complaint is received, officers are notified and assigned to monitor speeds in the affected area.

Issues with street lights are handled by Florida Power and Light (FPL).  The most efficient way to report it is through the FPL Web Application. 

Street lights can be reported by address or more accurately with the pole number which is on a silver disc attatched to the pole. 

Please note it can take up to ten business days for FPL to complete a repair on a reported street light.

Restraining orders, also known as injunctions, are a civil process obtained through the Clerk of Courts.  Click the link below for more information.

How do I file for an Injunction for Protection?

Yes.  In accordance with city code Section 10-41. All dogs shall be kept under restraint. Restraint exists when: 

• Enclosed within a house, building, fence, pen or other enclosure where the animal cannot climb, dig, jump or otherwise escape. Such enclosure must be securely fastened any time the animal is left unattended.

• On a leash held by a competent person. Voice command is not considered restraint.

• Inside a vehicle, parked or in motion. If the vehicle is open, such as a truck, the animal will either be in a cage or securely tethered by a device that will not permit the animal to fall or jump from the vehicle.

The Police Department is sometimes made aware of unsightly or hazardous boats surrounding our city in the waterways.  When notified, we make immediate notifications to the appropriate agencies. 

The Police Department will attempt to identify and notify the registered owner of the issue while also reporting the boat to the Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) immediately.  The Coast Guard is notified because they may need to take immediate action due to concerns about hazardous spillage or issue a Notice to Mariners (NOTAM) if there is a navigational hazard.  The FWC is responsible for enforcement, and they manage the removal process.  Unfortunately, this is a statewide problem and the process is lengthy.  For more information refer to the  Derelict Vessel Removal Program.     

Once a citation is written, it is electronically submitted to the court. No one in the police department, including the Chief of Police, is able to void or other rwise "take care" of a ticket. If you disagree with the ticket, you can contact the Okaloosa Clerk of Courts and ask for instructions on your options.