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1. Do I have to come to the police station to file a report?

No, in fact, we prefer that you call from the scene of the crime (if it is safe), your residence, or your business. Check fraud, transaction card fraud, and other bank-related cases are often best reported during business hours at the bank itself. A police officer will be dispatched as soon as possible to respond directly to your location and speak to you in person. Response times vary based on call priority, traffic, and other factors, but it is the department's goal to respond as quickly as possible. It is our policy to take reports in person. Only in rare instances are reports filed over the phone. 

2. How do I get a copy of a police report / accident report?

You can call (843) 577-7434 and Press 1 for Records for assistance or come to the Records Office at the Police Department headquarters at 180 Lockwood Boulevard. The cost of the Police report is $5. There is no cost for crime victims to obtain their incident reports. Be sure and bring a state-issued ID/license. You must be able to provide information about the incident report you are requesting, such as:

• Date
• Incident
• Location
• Suspect
• Time
• Victim, Etc.

3. How do I hire an Off-Duty Police Officer for security?

You may schedule off-duty Charleston police officers to provide security for your event that takes place within the City of Charleston. However, the department makes no expressed guarantees an off-duty job will be filled. 

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST OFF DUTY OFFICERS

4. How do I get a background check and / or fingerprints made for a job?

Background Check

Effective Monday, May 5, 2014, the Charleston Police Department will no longer provide background checks. For an official comprehensive background check, please visit the SLED website.

Fingerprinting

• Cost: $5 per card
• Offered Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• You will need to present your State issued ID/license
• You must bring the fingerprint cards provided to you by the employer/organization/ agency. We do not provide fingerprint cards.

5. How do I file a complaint or compliment on an Officer?

Complaints or compliments can be made in person, by phone, in writing, or through this website. All complaints, including anonymous complaints, are accepted and reviewed with follow-up activity to be assigned to the appropriate personnel. Keep in mind that if you file a complaint anonymously, we will not be able to follow up with you on your complaint.

Contact Information

If you would like to file a complaint or compliment, please contact the Office of Internal Affairs:

• Send a letter to or visit:
  Charleston Police Department
  Office of Internal Affairs
  180 Lockwood Boulevard
  Charleston, SC. 29403-5123
• Call the Office of Internal Affairs at 843-720-2447.
• You can also fill out the  Officer Comment Card Fill-In Form to email the information to the Professional Standards Office.
• Email Internal Affairs at internalaffairs@charleston-sc.gov. 

6. How do I contact Property/Evidence to retrieve items?

Please call (843) 720-2467 to inquire about property and retrieving items.

7. How can I participate in a ride-along?

The opportunity to observe police patrol activities is offered to citizens through the cooperation of the Chief of Police. Strict adherence to the following instructions is necessary to safeguard participants and to minimize the possibility of interference with normal department activities. A valid form of identification is required by the Department to complete the process.

• For instructions and necessary paperwork for Ride-Alongs (18 years of age or older): Ride-Along Agreement and Release (PDF)

All paperwork should be emailed to Join CPD or mailed to:
180 Lockwood Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29403

If there are any questions, please call 843-725-9619 for CPD’s Recruiter.

8. Where can I use my skateboard?

There are areas in the City where skateboarding is prohibited. Please review the map to make sure you are in compliance with the restricted areas.

• Skateboard Use Areas (PDF)

9. What is the tattoo policy?

Employees may have visible tattoos while at work. Tattoos, body art, or brands, anywhere on the body, that are commonly associated with gangs, supremacist or extremist groups, or that are sexist, racist, or advocate religious discrimination, or drug use are prohibited. Tattoos are explicitly prohibited from being visible above the collarbone on the neck, face, or head and visible with an open collar shirt. Additionally, tattoos will not extend below the wrist onto employees' hands. The only exception is a tattoo of one wedding band, on a ring finger, on one hand. A tattoo, brand, or body art that is deemed indecent will be covered while the employee is at work. 

The Charleston Police Department will vet all exposed tattoos, body art, and brands through the Criminal Intelligence Unit. The Department reserves the right to require employees to conceal their tattoos, body art or, brands if deemed necessary to conform to evolving community standards, attitudes, or beliefs. This policy and its exceptions do not grant permanent approval to display any tattoos, body art, or brands subsequently deemed unacceptable for display, and employees may be required to cover them at any time. If an employee has any tattoo, body art, or brand that meets one of the above-prohibited criteria, the employee will be required to remove or alter the prohibited marking (at his/her expense) or face disciplinary action, up to and including termination. 

The Chief of Police or his designee shall make the final determination as to whether tattoos, body art or brands are inappropriate.

10. What are the bicycle rack and parking rules?

The ordinance prohibits parking or locking a bicycle to:

• Meters
• Stop Signs
• Street Lights
• Street Trees
• Other legal encroachments on the sidewalk of King Street between Spring Street and Market Street

Parking bicycles in such a manner impede the public right of way creating a safety hazard for pedestrians and can block or impede the ingress and egress of public and private property.

Violation

Bicycles that are in violation of this ordinance will be removed and transported to the Charleston Police Department. A storage fee of forty-five dollars will be required to recover a bicycle removed under the ordinance. This ordinance is intended to create a safer and more vibrant King Street business district.

Parking Spaces

The City has installed over 100 public bike parking spaces, including five new bike corrals, on King Street between Calhoun and Spring Streets to accommodate public bicycle parking in a safe and convenient manner.

Additional Information

• Bicycle Rack/Parking (PDF)

11. How do I register my bicycle?

To register your bicycle with the Charleston Police Department, print and fill out the Bicycle Registration form and bring it to the Records Office at the Police Department headquarters at:
180 Lockwood Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29403

Additional Information

• Bicycle Registration Form (PDF)
• The cost of registration is $1.

12. What are the rules for Vehicle for Hire?

This ordinance prohibits all vehicles for hire from picking up passengers on King Street from Spring Street to Calhoun Street and in the Market area on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. The prohibited zones are also in effect during the same hours on the following days: 

• July 4th
• Labor Day
• March 18th
• Memorial Day
• New Year's Day
• November 1st

This essentially means Thursday night through Saturday night for clarification. Taxis are asked to stage at six strategically located stands that provide taxi only parking. All of the taxi only spaces are located on the corners of King Street and the respective side streets to keep the stands visible and as close as possible to King Street itself. View the map of King Street stands and prohibited zone (PDF). These include the existing valet stand locations along with a newly created location at the corner of Reid Street and King Street.

Market Area

The Market area also contains a prohibited vehicle for hire pick-up zone under the ordinance which is applicable to the mentioned nights and times. View the map of Market Street stands and prohibited zone (PDF).

Rules for Taxi, Limo and Transportation Network Companies

Please review Chapter 31, as well as the amendment to31-212, of the Charleston City Code (PDF).