Bloomington Criminal Records

Bloomington criminal records are handled through Hennepin County District Court, which processes all criminal cases for the city. Bloomington is one of Minnesota's largest cities with a population of about 89,000, and it sits in Hennepin County just south of Minneapolis. The Bloomington Police Department (BPD) maintains records for incidents within the city, and you can request police reports, accident reports, calls for service, and more by calling 952-563-8592. For court records, use the free Minnesota Court Records Online system to search Hennepin County cases.

Bloomington Police Department and Criminal Records

The Bloomington Police Department operates out of 1800 West Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington, MN 55431. The department's core value is respect, and Chief Booker T. Hodges leads the agency. For records requests, contact the data release coordinator at 952-563-8592 or by email. The department maintains a wide range of public records, including police reports, accident reports, calls for service, 911 call transcripts, body-worn camera videos, and animal control records.

Bloomington offers a comprehensive records access system that makes it easier to get what you need through a single contact point. The city's main data and records page at bloomingtonmn.gov/records covers records from multiple departments, including the police department. Many records are available without filing a formal data practices request. Call 952-563-8592 or email the data release coordinator to start the process.

For police-specific records requests, the BPD has a dedicated page at bloomingtonmn.gov/pd/police-records-requests. That page explains what records are available, how to request them, and what fees apply. Full criminal background checks are referred to the BCA rather than handled by the police department directly.

The BPD's main page at bloomingtonmn.gov/pd/BPD has links to department services and contact information. The screenshot below shows the Bloomington Police Department main page.

The Bloomington Police Department serves the city with a focus on community respect and public safety.

How to Search Bloomington Criminal Records

You can search Bloomington criminal records online for free through Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. MCRO covers Hennepin County District Court, which handles all criminal cases from Bloomington. You can search by name, case number, or citation number. Results include party names, charges, docket entries, and current case status. Most public documents filed after July 1, 2015 are available to view and download at no cost.

For a full criminal history background check, use the BCA Public Criminal History Search at chs.state.mn.us. The fee is $8 per search. You need the subject's full name and date of birth. This search covers all of Minnesota, not just Bloomington or Hennepin County. It shows felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor convictions from across the state. Arrest-only records are not available through the BCA's public search.

To get Bloomington police reports, call the data release coordinator at 952-563-8592 or follow the instructions at bloomingtonmn.gov/pd/police-records-requests. This is the right path for incident reports, accident reports, and call-for-service data. For certified court records, visit the Hennepin County Government Center at 300 South 6th Street, Minneapolis.

The city of Bloomington homepage is shown below, giving a sense of the web resources available for city records.

The city website links to police records, data request forms, and other public resources for Bloomington residents.

Hennepin County Court Records for Bloomington

Bloomington is in Hennepin County, and the Hennepin County District Court handles all criminal cases filed in the city. Hennepin County is the largest and most active district court in Minnesota. The courthouse is at 300 South 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487. The Court Administrator's office can be reached at (612) 348-6161. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

You can search Hennepin County criminal cases for free through MCRO. If you need a certified copy of a court document, you must go to the courthouse in person or mail a request. Certified copies cost a per-page fee. The court can look up cases by name or case number and provide copies the same day when you visit in person. Bring a valid photo ID when you go.

Hennepin County is part of Minnesota's Fourth Judicial District. The district covers only Hennepin County, but it handles the largest volume of criminal cases in the state. The court has a self-help center at the Government Center for people who need help navigating court procedures.

Note: Some Hennepin County criminal case documents are restricted from online viewing. Sealed records and juvenile cases require in-person access at the courthouse.

Criminal Background Checks in Bloomington

For criminal background checks in Bloomington, the BCA is the main resource. The Public Criminal History Search at chs.state.mn.us costs $8 per search. It covers Minnesota convictions for felonies, gross misdemeanors, and misdemeanors. Under Minn. Stat. section 13.87, only conviction data that falls within 15 years of sentence discharge is public. Older records and arrest-only data are not available through the public search.

The Bloomington Police Department notes that full criminal background checks are referred to the BCA rather than handled at the local level. This is standard practice for Minnesota police departments. For local police reports or calls-for-service data, contact BPD at 952-563-8592. For a full criminal history, go to the BCA.

Law enforcement data in Minnesota is governed by Minn. Stat. section 13.82, which sets out what police records are public versus private. Arrest data, booking photos, and incident response data are generally public. Active investigative data is confidential while the investigation is open. Once a case is closed, investigative data may become public depending on the outcome.

Expungement in Bloomington

Bloomington residents who want to seal a criminal record must file a petition at Hennepin County District Court under Minn. Stat. section 609A.03. The petition must be served on all agencies that hold records related to the case. A hearing date is set, and the judge decides whether to grant the request. Expungement seals the record rather than destroying it. Law enforcement retains access for certain purposes, but the record no longer appears on most public background checks.

Automatic expungement under Minn. Stat. section 609A.015 may apply to some Bloomington cases. The BCA identifies eligible records and seals them without a petition. Cases that ended in no charges, a stay of adjudication, or a dismissal may qualify. The 2023 expansion of this provision made more people eligible for automatic expungement in Minnesota.

Legal aid resources in Bloomington include Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, which serves Hennepin County residents. Their website at mylegalaid.org has eligibility information and contact details. The Hennepin County District Court self-help center at the Government Center can also help residents understand the expungement process and get the right forms.

Sex Offender Registry in Bloomington

Under Minn. Stat. section 243.166, people convicted of qualifying sex offenses and certain violent crimes must register as predatory offenders in Minnesota. Registration is handled through the BCA. Offenders must report their address, employment, school, and vehicle information. They verify this data in person once a year during their birth month. Any address change must be reported within five days of the move.

Risk levels are assigned under Minn. Stat. section 244.052. Level I is low risk, Level II is moderate, and Level III is high. Level III offender information is publicly posted through the Department of Corrections Offender Locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/PublicViewer. You can search for Level III offenders living in Bloomington by name or location. The search is free and available at any time.

For concerns about a specific offender in Bloomington, contact the Bloomington Police Department at 952-563-8592 or the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office. Schools and daycares near a Level II or III offender's address receive notifications from law enforcement as required by statute.

Bloomington Police Records Request Process

The BPD has a dedicated records request page that explains how to get police data in Bloomington. It covers what types of records are available, who can request them, and what the process looks like. The page is at bloomingtonmn.gov/pd/police-records-requests.

The records request page covers police reports, accident reports, body-worn camera video, and calls-for-service data, all accessible through one contact point at 952-563-8592.

Nearby Cities

These qualifying cities are close to Bloomington and have their own criminal records pages.

Hennepin County Criminal Records

Bloomington is in Hennepin County, and all criminal cases are processed through Hennepin County District Court. Visit the Hennepin County page for full details on court resources, the county sheriff, and other criminal records access options.

View Hennepin County Criminal Records