File a Police Report Online
**FOR AN EMERGENCY OR ANY CRIME IN-PROGRESS, DIAL 9-1-1**
DO NOT USE THE ONLINE REPORTING SYSTEM
Welcome to the Police Online Reporting System. This system allows police reports to be submitted at any time for incidents that occurred within Prince William County.
All case statuses are classified as INACTIVE, meaning it is NOT assigned to a detective for further investigation. However, all reports are reviewed by a supervisor and may be assigned to a detective for further investigation, depending on certain factors. Should the case be activated, contact will be made with the person submitting the report.
Reports are typically reviewed within 72 hours, not including weekends, major holidays, or unscheduled government closures. Once a report is submitted, the person submitting the report needs to check their email often, as police may need clarification or additional information to complete the report. This includes checking your spam and junk folders.
If you are the victim of a financial crime, please review our Resources and Information page for additional resources and reporting abilities.
Copies of online reports with the permanent case number will be emailed upon approval by the online reporting unit. Please ensure your contact information is correct and up to date.
After the report is approved, an incident verification letter may be obtained by calling our Records Section at (703) 792-6562. This is not the file report, but rather a document from the Police Department acknowledging an online report was submitted.
Types of offenses which can be reported online are outlined below. By submitting a report online, you are confirming;
- This is NOT an emergency;
- There are no known suspects; and
- You are 18 years of age or older
Theft typically applies to any property, including money, taken during a physical act without force, threat, or intimidation. In the event the items were taken by force, threat, or intimidation, that would likely be considered a robbery and should not be reported online. Theft can include a larceny or theft from a building, a vehicle or of vehicle/auto parts, a purse or bag, or pickpocketing. Types of property loss are below, including when the offense(s) can be reported online.
Theft from Auto
- If the incident is not in progress, and you wish to prosecute those involved in court.
- If stolen items involve the theft of a catalytic converter, airbag, or license plate; the total value of stolen property is more than $1,000; or the property consisted of law enforcement equipment, military equipment, a firearm, or narcotics/medications (drugs), a report cannot be filed online. These incidents must be reported to our non-emergency line at (703) 792-6500, or 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Shoplifting
- If you do not want to prosecute.
Other Theft Offenses
- If suspect is unknown and not on scene.
- If suspect is known, but you do not want to prosecute.
- If the total value of stolen property is more than $1,000 and you wish to prosecute, a report cannot be filed online. These incidents must be reported to our non-emergency line at (703) 792-6500, or 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Lost Property
- Unless the property lost is a firearm.
Damages to property typically apply to any destruction that is permanent and/or causes financial loss to repair or replace. If the damage -- such as spray-painting -- can be easily removed the incident may not require a report.
There are times the incident needs to be documented regardless, such as those involving a hate bias or motivation to a protected class. Those incidents should not be reported online. Types of damages to property are below, including when the offense(s) can be reported online.
Destruction of Property / Vandalism
- If suspect is unknown.
- If the incident is believed to have a hate bias or motivation, or the property is a church, school, military recruiting center, or is County-owned, and you wish to prosecute, the incident must be reported to our non-emergency line at (703) 792-6500, or 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Hit and Run & Crashes on Private Property
- If the offense occurred on private property (i.e., a business parking lot).
- The suspect is unknown.
- The suspect vehicle tag is unknown.
- If the incident involves an injury, uncooperative party, or if information is unable to be exchanged, the incident must be reported to our non-emergency line at (703) 792-6500, or 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Throwing Missiles
- If this is an ongoing/in-progress incident it must be reported to our non-emergency line at (703) 792-6500, or 9-1-1 in an emergency.
These type of offenses typically apply to instances of deception involving property (mostly monetary), loss or the attempt to obtain such items through dishonest scheme, like scams. These types of offenses are listed below, including when the offense(s) can be reported online. If you are the victim of a financial crime, please review our Resources and Information page for additional resources and reporting abilities.
Defrauding an Innkeeper (hotel, motel, campground, boardinghouse, etc.) or Vehicle for Hire
- If suspect is unknown.
Fraud (i.e., credit card fraud, credit card theft, identity theft, etc.)
- If the suspect is unknown and/or the offense happened outside of Prince William County.
Computer Crime / Internet Offenses (i.e., scams)
- If suspect is unknown and the offense happened outside of Prince William County.
Laws in Virginia concerning harassment typically include either harassment by computer or using certain language over "public airways"/other methods. These types of offenses can be reported online as outlined below.
Harassing Texts, Calls, or Emails
- If suspect is unknown and the offense happened outside of Prince William County.
A supplemental report is when additional information has been obtained to add to an existing report already filed online or with an officer.

File A Police Report Online
Read all information provided on this page before starting. Please turn off any pop-up blockers before filing the report.LEGAL DISCLAIMER FOR ONLINE REPORTING
It is a crime to make a false police report. Anyone found to have submitted a false police report will be prosecuted under the authority of Virginia State Code 18.2-461, which is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor with a maximum possible penalty of one year in jail and/or a $2,500 fine.
By starting your report, you have acknowledged the statement above. All reports submitted through this system will be carefully reviewed by police personnel.
Police Service Districts
Request Records & Reports
Resources & Information
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Expand all- May I file a report if this incident occurred in another jurisdiction?
No, unfortunately. If your incident took place outside of Prince William County, you must call the police department for that jurisdiction to handle the report and investigation.
- How will my case be investigated after I file a report online?
Once you file a report, the case will be classified as INACTIVE, which means it is NOT assigned to a detective for further investigation. However, each report will be reviewed by a supervisor and assigned to a detective for further investigation, if warranted. A detective will reach out to you if your case is re-activated. There are many factors we look for in assigning a case, such as information on known suspect(s) and the location, as well as video/witness information.
- What is an "Incident Time Frame?"
The "Incident Start Time" is when you last knew everything was okay, or you still had your property. The "Incident End Time" is when you first noticed that something was missing, vandalized, stolen, etc.
- What is a "Known Suspect?"
A "Known Suspect" refers to someone you, or someone else, knows and has information on their identity or where to find the person who committed the crime, or has the license plate number of the vehicle the suspect was in. If there is a known suspect, do not file a report online, please call the non-emergency number (703) 792-6500.
- What if the incident I need to report is not listed?
There are many types of incidents that may NOT be reported online. However, please read the offenses you can report online carefully in the event a different term is used that you may be unfamiliar with. For example, "larceny" is often used for property theft whether it's a shoplifting, theft from vehicle, etc. Other crimes may require evidence collection, photography, canvassing or other investigative procedures which require an officer response and therefore should not be reported online
- How long will it take to complete the review of my police report?
Most reports are handled within 72 hours, absent weekends, major holidays, and unscheduled government closures. Please check your email often as police may be asking for clarification or additional information to complete the report. You may also want to monitor your spam or junk folders in the event the email is routed there by your internet service provider.
- Can I get a copy of the police report?
A copy of your online report is emailed to you upon completion and acceptance by the online reporting unit. An incident verification letter may be obtained by calling our Records Section at (703) 792-6562, after final approval.

Resident Request Form
Need to request additional patrols or report a traffic issue in your neighborhood? You can do so here.
Submit a Crime Tip Online
Do you have a tip on a previous report crime? Submit the information to us via our online portal.