Police Reports in Kansas

Find and request official police reports from any city in Kansas. Our comprehensive database covers all 738 cities and counties throughout the state.

738

Cities Covered

3-5

Business Days Average

100%

Secure & Confidential

Primary Agency

Kansas Highway Patrol

Processing Time

5-10 business days

Fee Range

$10-$20 for standard reports

Report Forms

Traffic Reports, Highway Patrol Reports, Local Reports

Online Availability

Online requests available

Secure Process

Protected & confidential

About Kansas Police Reports

Important Information

Kansas uses standardized overlay code sheets. Form 852 for reference

Processing Details

Centralized processing through Topeka headquarters

Additional Notes

Code sheet Form 852 available

Available Report Types

Traffic Reports
Highway Patrol Reports
Local Reports

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Kansas Police Reports, Accident Reports and Crash Reports: A Guide to Form 852

Every day on Kansas roads, law‑enforcement officers respond to traffic incidents ranging from minor fender‑benders to serious multi‑vehicle crashes. When they do, they complete a police report using Form 852, the official Kansas accident report introduced in January 1995. This form—sometimes called a crash report—serves as the legal record of the collision. It captures critical details about where and when the crash occurred, who was involved, the vehicles and environmental conditions, and any contributing factors. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) uses the information from these accident reports to compile statewide statistics, identify hazardous road segments and design targeted safety interventions. Understanding the structure and purpose of Form 852 helps drivers, insurers, attorneys and policy makers navigate the aftermath of a collision and improve public safety.

Structure of Form 852 (Kansas accident report)

Form 852 is divided into logical sections that guide officers through the data collection process. At the top of the form, officers enter the case number, agency name, badge number, date and time of crash, and location. The location section includes the county, city or township, highway number or street name, mile marker or address, and whether the crash occurred within city limits or on a rural road. Capturing precise location details is essential for mapping crash hotspots and planning road improvements.

Driver and vehicle sections

The form provides separate columns for each vehicle (or unit) involved in the crash. For each driver, officers record the driver’s name, address, driver’s license number and state, license class, restrictions and endorsements. They also note the driver’s date of birth, sex and seat belt use. In Kansas, a state with significant truck traffic due to its central location, the report distinguishes between personal vehicles and commercial motor vehicles. The vehicle portion of the report captures the year, make, model, body style, color, VIN and license plate number. Officers indicate whether the vehicle was a truck, bus, motorcycle, farm implement or emergency vehicle. They also record the insurance company, policy number and whether the vehicle was towed from the scene. These details are vital for insurance claims and for identifying vehicles that require special handling, such as hazmat carriers.

Passenger and non‑motorist information

Like many states, Kansas requires documentation of all occupants and non‑motorists involved in a crash. The accident report includes a table where officers list passengers, pedestrians and cyclists. For each person, the officer records their seating position (linked to a seating diagram), seat belt or helmet use, airbag deployment, age, sex, injury severity and whether they were transported to a hospital. The report uses standardized injury codes—fatal, incapacitating, non‑incapacitating, possible injury, no injury. Recording this information allows KDOT and public health agencies to study injury patterns and evaluate the effectiveness of occupant protection laws. Kansas has strong seat belt laws, and the crash report data help assess compliance and impact.

Environmental conditions and roadway information

Form 852 dedicates a section to the crash environment. Officers document the road surface condition (dry, wet, snow, ice, sand/mud, gravel), the roadway alignment (straight, curve, hillcrest, upgrade, downgrade), the roadway type (divided or undivided, one‑way or two‑way), and the shoulder condition. Kansas experiences diverse weather—from severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in the summer to snow and ice in the winter—so capturing weather conditions (clear, cloudy, rain, sleet, snow, fog, wind) is critical for analyzing crash causes. The form also records the lighting condition (daylight, dawn/dusk, dark with street lights, dark without street lights) and whether traffic control devices (stop signs, signals, yield signs, flashing beacons) were present and functioning. Officers note whether the crash occurred in a work zone and whether signage or flaggers were present. This detailed environmental information helps analysts correlate crash frequency with weather patterns and roadway design.

Collision type and sequence of events

The Kansas accident report captures the first harmful event and subsequent events to describe the sequence of the crash. The first harmful event might be a collision with another motor vehicle, a pedestrian, an animal, a fixed object (tree, utility pole, guardrail), or a rollover. Subsequent events could include secondary collisions or vehicle fires. The form also asks the officer to indicate the manner of collision, such as rear‑end, head‑on, angle, sideswipe (same or opposite direction), backing, overturn or other. By distinguishing between the initial impact and subsequent events, crash reports provide a more complete understanding of complex crashes, which is useful for reconstruction and safety analysis.

Contributing factors and driver actions

Officers must identify contributing factors for each vehicle. These include driver behaviors such as speeding, following too closely, failure to yield, improper passing, improper turning, running a red light or stop sign, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fatigue and distracted driving (such as texting). Vehicle factors might include defective brakes, tires, steering or lights. Environmental factors could be glare, obstructed view, debris on the roadway, animals or work zones. The form also captures driver actions prior to the crash—going straight, slowing/stopping, stopped in traffic, turning left or right, backing, changing lanes, passing or parking. These coded entries allow KDOT to tabulate the prevalence of various factors and design educational campaigns targeting the most common causes of crashes.

How Kansas crash reports improve safety

By collecting comprehensive data in every police report, Kansas creates a robust database that researchers and traffic engineers can analyze. Patterns in crash reports reveal problem areas—for example, a high number of rollover accident reports on rural curves may prompt the installation of warning signs and guardrails. Data on impaired driving can inform law‑enforcement campaigns during high‑risk periods such as holidays. Seat belt usage rates gleaned from accident reports feed into public health initiatives encouraging buckle‑up behavior. Because Kansas has major interstate routes (I‑70, I‑35) used by cross‑country truckers, commercial vehicle data help the state coordinate with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on inspections and enforcement.

Steps to take after an accident in Kansas

If you’re involved in a crash in Kansas, stop your vehicle safely, check for injuries and call 911. Cooperate with law‑enforcement officers as they prepare the police report. Provide accurate information about yourself, your vehicle and your insurance. If conditions are safe, take photos of the scene, vehicles and any visible injuries. Exchange contact information with other drivers and witnesses. Once the accident report is filed, you can obtain a copy through the Kansas Highway Patrol or the local police department for insurance or legal purposes. The report number on Form 852 will be essential for retrieving the document.

Conclusion

Kansas’s Form 852 is more than just paperwork—it is a vital tool that shapes road safety policy and supports individuals involved in crashes. By standardizing police reports, accident reports and crash reports across the state, Kansas ensures that every collision is documented thoroughly and consistently. The data collected help everyone from traffic engineers to insurance adjusters understand what happened and why. Whether you’re navigating the aftermath of a minor accident or studying crash trends to improve transportation infrastructure, Form 852 provides the foundation for informed decisions and safer roads.

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Wichita

County: Sedgwick

Population: 501.760

ZIP Codes: 67230, 67235, 67260...