Under Rhode Island's Access to Public Records Act (APRA), citizens have the right to access public records. The County records approximately 25,000 arrests annually, with Kent County accounting for roughly 4,800 of these arrests, making up about 19% of the state's total.
Arrest records in Kent County can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office, the Judiciary Public Portal, or the Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Identification. These records are generally available to the public, though certain restrictions apply.
Some records may be unavailable due to sealed court orders, privacy protections for certain offenses (particularly those involving minors), or if disclosure would jeopardize ongoing investigations or the safety of individuals involved. Additionally, records related to active prosecutions may be restricted by the State's Attorney's Office until legal proceedings conclude.
Various authorities maintain arrest records in the County, including the Sheriff's Office, police departments in Warwick and East Greenwich, the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office, and County District Court.
Individuals seeking arrest records from the County Sheriff's Office can submit requests in person at the headquarters located at 222 Quaker Lane, West Warwick, RI 02893. Alternatively, the public may access this information electronically through the Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal by providing the arrestee's name or case number. For comprehensive searches, the Sheriff's Office also accepts written APRA (Access to Public Records Act) requests via email.
The public may access police arrest records in Kent County by first identifying which of the county's law enforcement agencies made the arrest - including Warwick, Coventry, East Greenwich, West Greenwich, or West Warwick Police Departments. Following identification, requestors can submit applications through each department's Records Division in person, via their official websites' Public Information Request portals, or by mailed form. All requests must include the arrestee's complete name, approximate arrest date, and requestor contact details, with processing typically completed within 10 business days.
The Rhode Island Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) maintains criminal records for individuals arrested across Rhode Island, including Kent County. These records can be requested online, by mail, or in person, according to requester preference.
For online requests, visit the Rhode Island BCI website and access the Criminal Records Database. Create an account, using your full name and date of birth, and pay the required $35 fee. Results will be delivered electronically after processing.
Mail requests require downloading and completing the Criminal History Record Request Form from the Attorney General's website. Include the complete identification information, a copy of valid ID, and payment by check or money order. Mail completed requests to Rhode Island Attorney General's Office, Bureau of Criminal Identification, 4 Howard Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920.
For in-person service, visit the BCI office in Cranston with your completed form, valid identification, and payment. Office staff will process your request and provide records based on eligibility requirements.
Individuals seeking criminal court records in Kent County can find them at the Superior Court Clerk's Office. These records include details of arrests that have resulted in formal charges.
Online access is available through the Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal, where users can search by case number or defendant's name. Registration may be required, and certain documents may have associated fees.
For in-person requests, individuals can visit the Clerk's Office at Kent County Superior Court during regular business hours. A valid ID and case details may be necessary, and clerks can assist with searches and provide copies for a fee.
Additionally, some current arrest records may be available on third-party websites like InfoTracer, but these services may require a subscription and may not always have the most up-to-date information.
Kent County has an arrest rate of 18 arrests per 1,000 residents according to the Rhode Island State Police, Kent County Sheriff's Office, Department of Public Safety, and FBI Crime Data Explorer. Below are the recorded arrest statistics for adults and juveniles in Kent County.
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Annual Crime Rate | 3,945 |
| Violent Crime | 340 |
| Property Crime | 2,060 |
| Murders | 4 |
| Robberies | 38 |
| Rapes | 27 |
| Aggravated Assaults | 271 |
| Larcenies | 1,205 |
| Motor Vehicle | 186 |
| Burglary/Breaking & Entering | 669 |
Source: Department of Public Safety
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Coventry Police Department | 1075 Main St | 401-826-1100 |
| East Greenwich Police Department | 176 1st Ave | 401-886-8640 |
| Warwick Police Department | 99 Veterans Memorial Dr | (401) 468-4200 |
| West Greenwich Police Department | 280 Victory Highway | 401 397-7191 |
| West Warwick Police Department | 1162 Main St | (401) 821-4323 |