The San Jose Police Department is continuing to work burglary cases through its contact to completion philosophy. What this means is that patrol officers will conduct as much investigation as possible within the initial contact when responding to property crimes. To put more eyes on the street, officers have been reallocated from non-patrol divisions such as Investigations to patrol. However, police are solving burglaries and are investigating the more complex burglary cases as staffing is made available.

The response time depends on the priority of the call, with imminent danger to life or property being the highest priority.

• Priority One calls indicate an event of immediate potential for imminent danger to life or property.
• Priority Two calls are indicative of events that have occurred and the suspect may be near but is no longer at the scene and/or no imminent threat exists to life or property.
• Priority Three calls are non-emergencies where there is property damage or the potential for it to occur. A police report may be requested or required.
• Priority Four calls are non-emergencies where there is no present or potential damage to property and suspect is gone.

Burglaries are typically crimes of opportunity: items worth stealing are left out in the open or homes are believed to be unoccupied. Remember to lock your cars and do not leave valuables such as GPS navigators, cell phones, purses or backpacks left in plain view in your vehicles. Install motion sensor lighting on the front of your house so there are fewer places for someone to hide. The best way to deter thieves is make your presence known. Read more crime prevention tips and watch a video.

Officers on patrol are encouraged to proactively address issues in their assigned districts when they are not responding to a call for service. The Police Department also has a Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) which is deployed to areas with patterns of traffic collisions and violations. While the TEU does operate on a cost recovery model, patrol officers do not have any quotas for the number of tickets to issue.

In addition, an on-duty officer may direct traffic if a traffic signal is not in service or to redirect traffic at the scene of an accident or crime. This is done to maintain the safety of drivers, pedestrians and others on the roadways. However, police officers that you see directing traffic or providing security may actually be working secondary employment and are considered off-duty.

Technology has provided incredible advancements in helping the police solve crimes and identify criminals. Unfortunately, solving burglaries does not end with the recovery of stolen items. It takes an incredible amount of resources to investigate, solve and document each case in order to prosecute and convict a criminal. Given the limited resources available, the Department has to manage them to provide the greatest impact to public safety. Even so, police are continuing to arrest burglary suspects and, in many cases, linking them to other crimes.

Yes. Although police may not be dispatched to the scene if the threat is deemed low, any information you can provide to Police Dispatch can be helpful. The details you provide about an individual(s) description such as approximate height, weight, sex, color of clothing and distinguishing features can be used to determine any patterns or connections to other similar events.

The commanding officer is responsible for the allocation of officers responding to calls for service and ensuring they take their entitled breaks. Even so, officers on breaks can be called back on duty to respond to priority calls.

Stay alert and stay informed. Get to know your neighbors and look out for one another.

Subscribe to the Police news releases or visit the SJPD Facebook page or Twitter account to remain “in the know” about what's happening in your neighborhood.

Most importantly, report suspicious activity to Police. For additional crime prevention tips or to arrange for a crime prevention specialist to conduct a neighborhood association or group meeting contact the San Jose Police Crime Prevention Unit at: 408 277-4133.

Official crime statistics are available on the Crime Statistics page. These are the crime statistics reported through the UCR and NIBRS programs to the State and FBI.

You can review calls for service data via the CrimeMapping.com site. This site will allow you to look up addresses, intersections and street names and view a map that displays approximate crime locations.

You can also review our latest Police Dashboards here.

The City of San Jose also maintains an "Open Data" web portal where many datasets are published and regularly updated.

If you need more specific information, for example in completing a research paper, you can submit a written request to our Records Unit. Please visit the Document Center for Police Report and Public Records Act request forms. 

Thank you for inquiring about employment with the San Jose Police Department. We offer both sworn and non-sworn positions. Our Recruiting Site has all the information you are looking for. You can also find out about testing dates and apply on-line. If you'd like any further information, you can contact our recruiting office at (408) 277-4951.

We are accepting applications for the Police Recruit Officer and the Police Officer-Lateral position on a continuous basis. We test and hire Police Recruit Officers twice a year. Typically, we hire a group of Recruits and start the academy once in January and then a second time in July. These dates are subject to change depending on staffing and budget issues. Lateral testing and hiring is done on an as needed basis depending on how many applications we receive.

It takes a special person. Those interested in becoming a San Jose Police Officer must exhibit good common sense, possess a strong sense of community orientation, and be both physically and mentally healthy. We look for someone who is well balanced, has good communication skills, and the ability to interact with our diverse community. Requirements are the same as a full time officer. For further information, please view the Reserve Unit page or call (408) 277-4963.

The Volunteer Opportunities & Leadership Training (VOLT) Program was implemented in the Fall of 1996, as a complement to the San Jose Police Department's Community Policing Strategy. There are well over 200 members and more applying every day. The department offers many volunteer opportunities. Hours, assignments and qualifications vary according to the information given on your application. To receive an application or for further information you can call (408) 277-VOLT (8658) or you can visit the VOLT site.

In 1996, California enacted “Megan's Law” which provides the public with photographs and descriptive information on the most serious sex offenders residing in California who have been convicted of committing sex crimes and are required to register their whereabouts with local law enforcement.

You can obtain sex offender information by visiting one of the following locations:

• You can follow the link on the San Jose Police Department homepage under Automated Services “Sex Offender Search.” This web page includes descriptions of the Megan’s Law Unit at SJPD as well as links to frequently asked questions and how to protect your family.
• You can visit the Megan’s Law website at www.meganslaw.ca.gov
• Sex Offender locations and information can also be displayed on a map at CityProtect.com

Yes. The Youth Curfew Ordinance, SJ Muni Code 10.28.020, was amended on June 21, 1994 through the efforts of the Mayor's Gang Prevention Task Force and San Jose City Council. Curfew hours are 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for minor's 15 years old and under and 11:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. for minor's 16 & 17.

Vehicle Code section 27007 states 50 feet is the allowable distance for noise from a vehicle parked on public property.

As for loud music and noisy neighbors, there is not a defined law that states by what time noise needs to be kept down. We usually suggest you contact your immediate neighbors and find out when is a good time to play and how loud you can get without bothering them. There is no specific decibel level set. To report loud music or noisy neighbors at any time, you can call (408) 277-8900, the police non-emergency line.

The police dept. sends all unclaimed property to the DGW Auctioneers in Mountain View. You can give them a call at 650-559-8905 to receive a current list of dates and times. (automobiles are not auctioned).

First Capitol for surplus vehicles (automobiles): (707) 552-0739.

To file a complaint against a member of the San Jose Police Department, simply: Gather as much information as possible. The following information will be helpful for the investigation.

1. Date and Time of the Incident
2. Location of the Incident
3. Name, Badge Number, or description of the Officers involved.
4. Details of the Incident

You can contact our Professional Standards and Conduct Unit at (408) 277-4094. An administrative officer will take your complaint and have an investigator look into the matter and decide whether or not disciplinary action is needed and whether the officer's actions were in the realm of policy and procedure.

You can also contact the Independent Police Auditor at (408) 794-6226.

Yes! Please visit our Ride-Along page for information.

The main police buildings are located at 201 West Mission Street.

Follow this link to review San Jose Police Department Press Releases.

To report illegal dumping you can call the Department of Transportation at (408) 277-4373.

To report a vehicle parked illegally on a City street, you can call the Department of Transportation (Parking Compliance and Enforcement) at 534-2900. Please have the vehicle make, model, color and vehicle license plate along with the location of the vehicle.

If the vehicle is abandoned on the street, call the Department of Transportation (Vehicle Abatement) at (408) 277-5305. They will also need the above information about the vehicle.

Report vehicles abandoned on private property or call (408) 277-4528.

For your convenience we have set up a system so you can report this incident on line at our web site: Online Crime Reports or over the phone at 408 277-8900, or at the Information Center located at 201 West Mission Street, in San Jose. Write down your case number and give it to the Telephone Company so they can add a block to your phone and track the calls.

You can report locations vandalized with graffiti by reporting it using the San Jose 311 app. If the graffiti is on public property they will send a team of maintenance workers to abate the nuisance. You can also call it into Police non-emergency at  (408) 277-8900, if you see it occurring or if it is gang related. Visit this link for more information about reporting graffiti.

The City of San Jose Policy Manual (including the Public Records Policy and Protocol) is located on the City's main website under the Office of Employee Relations.

Here is the direct link to the City website, Public Records Policy and Protocol (.pdf)

The San Jose Police Department will only release a copy of a crime or incident report to a victim or an authorized representative of the victim.

*If you are listed as a suspect or an arrested party on a report you may request a copy through your attorney or by contacting the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office at 408-299-7400.

Effective August 8, 2022 all requests for police records should be submitted via the Police Departments Open Records Center.

You may call 408-277-4261 for any additional information regarding the process for obtaining police records or to follow up on the status of your request.

Crime reports cost 22 cents per page (price effective July 1, 2010. View current fees. You may pay by personal check, money order or a cashier's check made payable to "City of San Jose" The amount description must indicate "Not to exceed $16.00". Our mailing address is: San Jose Police Department, Attention: Records Division, P.O. Box 270, San Jose, CA 95103-0270.

In Person: You may also visit the San Jose Police Department Report Counter located in the Main Lobby of the Police Administration Building at 201 W. Mission St.

Note: The Report Counter is open to the public with reduced hours of operation.

View additional information and a schedule showing when the Report Counter is Open to the public.

You can also call (408) 277-4143 between 8:00 and 12:00 noon Monday through Friday if you have questions.

You will need to complete a pink report request form listing the following information: Your name, the case number, the type of crime, the date and time of the crime and how you are associated with the crime. You will need to present identification. You may pay by cash or personal check, money order or a cashier's check made payable to "City of San Jose".

Do Not Use This To File Official Police Reports.

To File a Police Report Follow This Link...

You can Submit a tip anonymously at Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers (svcrimestoppers.org)

The U-Visa was created to provide temporary immigration benefits to undocumented immigrants who are victims of qualifying criminal activity, and to their qualifying family members, as appropriate.

The U-Visa is available to undocumented immigrants who have met each of the five criteria listed below:

1. The person has been the victim of one or more qualifying crimes;
2. The person has suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of one or more qualifying crimes;
3. The person has useful information concerning the crime which occurred;
4. The person has helped, or is likely to help, in the investigation or prosecution of the crime; and
5. The crime committed violated the laws of the United States or occurred in the United States.

To lookup the status of a towed vehicle, and find out how to recover it, contact SJPD Vehicle Records Assistance Line (Auto Desk) at 408-277-4263.

Here's a link to more information about Towed Vehicles.

To request a Tow Hearing at the Police Department, contact:

San Jose Police Department Tow Hearing Unit
201 W, Mission St, San Jose, California 95110
(408) 277-5429, Tow Hearing Officer

Requests for a tow hearing may be made in person, by mail, email, or telephone.

Requests must be made within 10 days of the date appearing on the Police Department’s notice.

An informal hearing will take place within 2 business days of the request, excluding weekends and holidays.

If the registered owner or legal owner disagrees with the decision made at the hearing, the decision may be reviewed by the Tow Hearing Sergeant or Supervisor (CVC 22852(e)).

Follow these links for general information about police calls for service:

• CrimeMapping.com
• City of San Jose Open Data - Police Calls for Service

For information for specific addresses, please submit a request for calls for service or reported incidents via the "Public Records Center" portal.

It depends on where the car is parked and/or whether the vehicle is abandoned on private property.

To report an illegally parked or abandoned vehicle on the street you can call the Department of Transportation at (408) 277-5305.

To report a vehicle parked on an unpaved surface of private property or if a car has been inoperable for over 72 hours on private property (missing essential parts like engine, transmission, wheels, windshield) call Code Enforcement (408) 277-4528. Please have the vehicle make, model, color and vehicle license plate along with the location of the vehicle.

According to the California Vehicle Code section 14602.6, if the driver is cited for driving without a license, then law enforcement is mandated to impound the vehicle for 30 days. The owner of the vehicle is responsible for storage fees during this period. At the end of the period the vehicle may be towed. For further information on a towed vehicle you may call the (408) 277-4156.