Quick Question- did you try asking for the Records Department when you called or went in? I work in Records at a PD in Minnesota. We get these every year. The person answering the phone may not understand what you are looking for, but the people working in the Records Department will. I agree with the other replies- but sometimes it is how you ask. If you have had bad luck over the phone, if you can, try walking in with the Record Check form in hand. Let them know you are looking for "police contacts only", not a background check, and that it is needed for school.
I tried calling the Records Department but I said it was a rap sheet check. I will try asking for police contacts.
So frustrating! I'd try walking in to your local PD first. I like what other people have said about using their School Resource Officer too. If there is one at your school I would definitely ask them for their help as well.
Yes, walking in definitely helps. My son did this last year. We live in one county and he attended schools in two other counties, so he had multiple places to visit- city, county, and state offices. Some offered nothing but he did find a few that would help. Be ready to be sent from one person, to another, to another.
DS had similar issue last year. City where he went to school was no problem, but the local police indicated over the phone they would not complete. DS showed up at local police station with paperwork and return envelope prepped. Explained situation and asked to speak with someone - they were able to connect him with the appropriate person who completed and mailed directly. It took 10 min in person to resolve.
So if you used the phrase "rap sheet" that may be the issue. I am a police officer in California. A "rap sheet" in law enforcement lingo is a criminal record/arrest record. Those records are accessed through a state controlled database and cannot be accessed without a documented right to know/need to know. And this would only show arrests and convictions. USNA wants to know any interactions you have had with law enforcement; were you a victim of theft, cited for speeding, have police responded to your house for a loud party/underage drinking, etc. These would not show up on a "rap sheet". What you need is a record of police contacts/involvements. The verbiage for this would probably vary depending on your geographic location. That is why your best option probably is to go in person, form in hand, so the person helping you can look at what is being requested. As was posted earlier, you want to speak to someone in Records.
We live in LA and didn't get far with the LAPD. My DS went to the local station to make a request and they kindly rejected him. He then tried the LA County Sheriff and they finally helped. He had to drive down to their records department, south east of LA, to drop off the forms and then returned at a future date to get the signed document.
[Update] I was able to get the form completed through a different LAPD station. My suggestion for anyone in LA or California, in general, is to ask for the detective division and tell them that you do not need a copy of your record. I hope this helps. Thank you to everyone who commented on my post.
During my son’s admission cycle it was received by admissions and confirmed with staff. But it did take a while to show as received in the portal.
In Maryland, and hopefully you live in Maryland, it is called Criminal Background Check, you need to be fingerprinted at a private provider's office or sometimes at a local law enforcement agency that has the livescan capabilities. The fingerprints are submitted to the State of Maryland and the results mailed to you in a few days. I helped many Midshipmen with this requirement. Some states are similar and some, a mess haha. I hope this helps
