Bethlehem Arrest Records
Bethlehem arrest records are maintained by the Bethlehem Police Department Records Bureau at 10 East Church Street. Bethlehem is a major Lehigh Valley city with deep roots in Pennsylvania steel history. The city sits across both Northampton and Lehigh counties. You can search local arrest records through the police department or use state tools to find records across all of Pennsylvania. This page explains how to find and request arrest records in Bethlehem.
Bethlehem Quick Facts
Bethlehem Police Records Bureau
The Bethlehem Police Department Records Bureau handles all requests for local arrest records and police reports. The department is 154 members strong and covers the full city. You can reach the Records Bureau by phone at 610-865-7175. The main address is 10 East Church Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018.
The Bethlehem Police Department maintains arrest records from all incidents handled by city officers. Records include arrest dates, charges, and case identifiers. You can request these records in person at the station or submit a written request by mail. The non-emergency line at 610-865-7187 can direct your call to the right unit. Email inquiries can go to jcasella@bethlehem-pa.gov.
Bethlehem Police also work with the Pennsylvania State Police Troop M station at 2930 Airport Road, Bethlehem, PA 18017. That troop can be reached at 610-861-2026. State Police accept Right-to-Know requests for records within their jurisdiction and follow a five business day response timeline.
The department's Patrol Division is led by Captain Benjamin Hackett at 610-865-7158. Multiple divisions and specialized units operate under the Bethlehem Police. Each arrest made by any officer generates records that flow through the Records Bureau. Those records are the starting point for any official request.
Requesting Bethlehem Arrest Records
You have several ways to request arrest records from Bethlehem. In-person visits to the Records Bureau at 10 East Church Street allow you to get copies the same day if the record is on file. Written requests by mail also work and are processed in order of receipt. Fax requests go to 610-865-2462.
The Bethlehem Police record and report fee schedule sets out what each type of record costs. Fees have been in effect since January 1, 2015. The fee list covers the most common request types and tells you exactly what to expect before you submit your request.
Key fees for Bethlehem police records:
- Fingerprint request: $15.00
- Criminal history background check: $15.00
- Vehicle accident report: $15.00
- List of calls report: $1.00 per page
- All other records or documents: $0.25 per page
Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order. Processing time varies based on the type of record you request. Complex or older records may take longer to locate and prepare. Call the Records Bureau at 610-865-7175 before your visit to confirm what you need to bring.
Note: Some arrest records in Bethlehem may be sealed or restricted under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101, particularly records involving juveniles or expunged cases.
Bethlehem Police Department Resources
The City of Bethlehem maintains an official police department website where residents can learn about services, find contact information, and access public records resources. Visit bethlehem-pa.gov/police to see the full range of services offered by Bethlehem Police.
The Bethlehem Police Department website lists all units, contact numbers, and community programs. It is the best starting point when you need to track down a specific office or person for a records request in Bethlehem.
The city also publishes a dedicated fees page so residents know what to expect before making a request. The Record/Report Fees page at bethlehem-pa.gov lists current charges for police documents. Knowing the fee ahead of time lets you bring the right payment.
Having this fee information ready before you visit or mail your request saves time and avoids delays. The fee schedule is straightforward and covers the most common documents requested from the Bethlehem Police Records Bureau.
Statewide Arrest Record Tools for Bethlehem
Pennsylvania offers several statewide tools that cover Bethlehem arrest records. These systems pull data from all law enforcement agencies across the state, including Bethlehem Police and State Police Troop M. They are useful when you need a broader view of someone's record history beyond just Bethlehem.
The Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History system, known as PATCH, is run by the Pennsylvania State Police. You can access it at epatch.state.pa.us. A standard criminal history check costs $22. The PATCH system includes records from Bethlehem Police, Pennsylvania State Police, and all other reporting agencies statewide. If you prefer to submit by mail, use Form SP 4-164 and send it to the Pennsylvania State Police. Results include every Pennsylvania arrest on record for the subject of your search.
The Unified Judicial System portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us lets you search Bethlehem court records by name or case number at no charge. Court records show what happened after an arrest, including charges filed, hearings, and case outcomes. This is separate from arrest records but gives important context for any Bethlehem arrest.
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections inmate locator at inmatelocator.cor.pa.gov is useful if a Bethlehem arrest led to state incarceration. You can search by name to find current or recent inmates in the state prison system.
Note: State PATCH results show all Pennsylvania arrests, not just Bethlehem. If you only need local records, start with the Bethlehem Police Records Bureau directly.
Right-to-Know Law and Bethlehem Records
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law governs public access to government records in Bethlehem and every other municipality in the state. The law is codified at 65 P.S. § 67.101. Under this law, you have the right to request records from Bethlehem Police, the city government, and other public bodies. The agency must respond within five business days.
Not all records are fully public. Some arrest records are protected under the Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act. The CHRIA at 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 sets out which records can be released and to whom. Conviction records are generally public. Records that did not lead to conviction have more restrictions. Juvenile records are almost always sealed.
If Bethlehem denies your Right-to-Know request, you can appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov. The OOR reviews denials and can order agencies to release records if the denial was improper. This process is free and does not require an attorney.
The Pennsylvania State Police website at pa.gov/agencies/psp also has guidance on how to request records from state troopers assigned to the Bethlehem area. State Police follow the same five business day response rule under the RTKL.
Northampton County Arrest Records
Bethlehem lies primarily in Northampton County, and the county court system handles criminal cases arising from Bethlehem arrests. The Northampton County Court of Common Pleas maintains case records for all felony and misdemeanor charges processed in the county. For detailed county-level information on arrest records, court access, and related resources, visit the Northampton County page.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Residents of cities near Bethlehem can find arrest record resources for their own area below.