Police Reports in Massachusetts

Find and request official police reports from any city in Massachusetts. Our comprehensive database covers all 127 cities and counties throughout the state.

127

Cities Covered

3-5

Business Days Average

100%

Secure & Confidential

Primary Agency

Massachusetts State Police

Processing Time

7-14 business days

Fee Range

$20-$50 depending on report

Report Forms

Form CRA-65, State Police Reports, Local Reports

Online Availability

Online requests available

Secure Process

Protected & confidential

About Massachusetts Police Reports

Important Information

RMV integration allows for streamlined processing. Uses Form CRA-65

Processing Details

Boston area has multiple processing centers

Additional Notes

Code sheet for detailed information

Available Report Types

Form CRA-65
State Police Reports
Local Reports

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Massachusetts Police Reports, Accident Reports and Crash Reports: Decoding Form CRA‑65

Massachusetts requires that all motor‑vehicle collisions resulting in injury, death or property damage above a specified threshold be documented using the Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Crash Police Report (Form CRA‑65). Revised in September 2001, this form is the standard police report, accident report and crash report used by state troopers and municipal police officers across the Commonwealth. By standardizing crash data collection from the busy streets of Boston to the scenic roads of the Berkshires, Form CRA‑65 ensures that critical information is captured consistently for insurance, legal and public‑safety purposes. Understanding the structure of the form and its role in the broader safety ecosystem helps drivers, insurers and policy makers navigate the aftermath of a crash and work toward safer roadways.

Anatomy of Form CRA‑65

Form CRA‑65 is structured to capture comprehensive data without overwhelming officers at the scene. The top portion of the form records the incident number, agency name, officer badge number, crash date and time, and precise location. Location fields include city or town, road name or number, mile marker or address, and whether the crash occurred at an intersection, on an on‑ramp or off‑ramp, or between intersections. A box indicates whether the crash was a hit‑and‑run, involved a commercial vehicle or occurred in a work zone. Accurate location information helps the RMV and state Department of Transportation (MassDOT) map crashes and prioritize safety improvements.

Driver and vehicle details

For each vehicle, the report captures the driver’s name, address, date of birth, sex, driver’s license number and state, license class (including motorcycle and commercial endorsements) and restrictions. Officers also document whether the driver appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fatigued or ill. The vehicle section records the year, make, model, body style, color, vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate number and state. Additional fields note the vehicle owner’s name and address if different from the driver, whether the vehicle was a taxi, police car, emergency vehicle or bus, and whether it was towed. Insurance information is required, reflecting Massachusetts’ compulsory auto insurance laws.

Occupant and non‑motorist information

Form CRA‑65 includes an occupant table where officers list everyone in each vehicle and any non‑motorists (pedestrians or cyclists). For each person, the officer records seating position (linked to a seating diagram), seat belt or helmet use, airbag deployment, ejection status, injury severity and whether the person was transported to a hospital. Additional fields capture age, sex, and whether the person was trapped and required extrication. The injury categories range from fatal to no injury. Non‑motorist fields identify whether the person was in a crosswalk, on a sidewalk, in a bike lane or crossing against a signal. Recording this information helps public‑health officials and MassDOT evaluate the effectiveness of pedestrian and bicycle safety measures.

Environmental conditions and road characteristics

The form dedicates space to the crash environment. Officers document roadway surface conditions (dry, wet, snow, ice, slush, sand/mud), weather (clear, cloudy, rain, snow, sleet, hail, fog), lighting (daylight, dawn/dusk, dark with/without street lights), and road alignment (straight, curve, hill crest, grade). They also note whether the crash occurred on an interstate, state highway, city street or local road, and whether the road was divided, undivided or one‑way. Traffic control devices—stop signs, yield signs, traffic signals, flashing beacons—are recorded along with their operational status. Because Massachusetts experiences harsh winters, the form captures whether snow removal or sanding/salting operations were in progress.

Collision sequence and contributing factors

Form CRA‑65 asks officers to specify the first harmful event and any subsequent events. Options include collision with another motor vehicle, collision with a pedestrian or cyclist, collision with a fixed object (tree, utility pole, guardrail, building), collision with an animal, overturning, jackknife, fire/explosion, cargo spill or submersion. Officers identify the manner of collision—rear‑end, head‑on, angle, sideswipe same direction, sideswipe opposite direction, backing, passing, turning—and indicate whether the crash was a single‑vehicle or multi‑vehicle event. Contributing factors are coded, including driver behaviors (speeding, following too closely, failure to yield, improper passing, ran red light or stop sign, distracted driving, alcohol or drug impairment), vehicle defects (brake failure, tire blowout, steering failure), and environmental factors (glare, debris, road defects, animals). Officers may select multiple factors per vehicle. Recording these details helps MassDOT design targeted interventions and public‑education campaigns.

Data usage: How Massachusetts crash reports enhance safety

Once filed, police reports are transmitted to the RMV’s Crash Data System. Analysts use aggregated accident reports to identify patterns, such as an increase in distracted‑driving collisions among young drivers or a high number of angle crashes at a specific intersection. These patterns inform MassDOT’s decisions to modify signal timing, install roundabouts, enhance crosswalk visibility or implement public‑education campaigns. Because Massachusetts participates in the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and the Crash Records Information System (CRIS), local crash data contribute to national safety research and funding opportunities.

What to do after a crash in Massachusetts

If you’re involved in a crash, stop your vehicle and check for injuries. Call 911 to report the collision and cooperate with the responding officer in completing the police report. Provide accurate information about yourself, your vehicle and your insurance. Exchange contact and insurance details with other drivers and collect contact information from witnesses. Take photographs of the scene if it’s safe to do so. Once the accident report is filed, you can request a copy through the local police department or the RMV. The report number on Form CRA‑65 will expedite the retrieval process. Having the crash report is essential for insurance claims and may be needed in legal proceedings.

Conclusion

The Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Crash Police Report (Form CRA‑65) is a vital tool that ensures every reportable collision is documented thoroughly and consistently. By capturing driver, vehicle, occupant and environmental data—and by coding contributing factors and collision sequences—the form provides a comprehensive record that supports insurance claims, legal actions and public‑safety analyses. Standardized police reports, accident reports and crash reports help the Commonwealth’s transportation agencies identify trends, allocate resources and implement interventions that save lives. Whether you’re a driver, an insurer or a policy maker, understanding the structure and purpose of Form CRA‑65 can help you navigate the aftermath of a crash and contribute to safer roads throughout Massachusetts.

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Boston

County: Suffolk

Population: 4.355.184

ZIP Codes: 02120, 02121, 02122...