Police Reports in South Dakota
Find and request official police reports from any city in South Dakota. Our comprehensive database covers all 482 cities and counties throughout the state.
About South Dakota Police Reports
Important Information
Multiple code sheet versions available
Processing Details
Rapid City and Sioux Falls have local offices
Additional Notes
DPSHS621 code sheets available
Available Report Types
- Highway Patrol Reports
- County Reports
- Local Reports
REQUEST A SOUTH DAKOTA POLICE REPORT
Select your city below to start your official police report request
✓ 5-10 business days average processing
✓ Secure online submission
✓ 24/7 customer support
South Dakota Investigator’s Motor Vehicle Traffic Accident Report
Form Overview
South Dakota law enforcement agencies complete the State of South Dakota Investigator’s Motor Vehicle Traffic Accident Report. The form’s header identifies it as Form DPS‑AR1, revised 12 December 2014【873157778699698†screenshot】. This revision date appears directly under the form title and ensures that officers are using the most current version. The Department of Public Safety prints and distributes the form, and the Highway Patrol provides training on how to complete it. While older ACTAR listings reference an earlier form (DPSHS621 1/83)【325376792544999†L145-L156】, the 2014 edition is the standard for current reporting. Unlike some states that separate driver self‑reports and officer reports, South Dakota uses this single form for all crash investigations. The seven‑page document captures everything from crash severity and location to detailed vehicle, driver and occupant information. Officers fill out the form by hand or via the state’s electronic crash reporting system. Additional continuation sheets can be attached if more vehicles or witnesses are involved. The form’s comprehensive structure ensures that no critical data is overlooked.
Section Breakdown
The DPS‑AR1 form primarily relies on coded boxes and tables, but officers may attach a separate narrative and diagram sheet when necessary. The narrative explains in plain language how the crash occurred, noting factors like weather, road conditions and driver behaviour. A sketch diagram provides a visual representation of the crash scene, showing roadway alignment, lane configuration and positions of vehicles at key moments. Although these narrative and diagram elements are optional, they often provide important context that codes cannot capture.
Header and crash description
The first page opens with general crash classification fields. Officers indicate whether the crash involved an animal (domestic or wild), a non‑motorist or hazardous material. The top of the page contains spaces for the investigating agency’s name, report number and the officer’s name. The officer then records the date and time of the crash and the time he or she arrived on scene. Location boxes capture the county, city or township, road name and mile marker or intersection. Latitude and longitude fields allow for precise geocoding. Officers also note the posted speed limit, road surface condition (dry, wet, icy) and environmental conditions such as darkness, fog or snow. A line asks whether the crash occurred on a public road, private property or within tribal jurisdiction.
Driver and occupant information
The second page focuses on the driver and occupant of each unit. Under “Unit Type,” the officer selects whether the vehicle is a motor vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian or other conveyance. A large table captures the driver’s name, address, date of birth, sex, driver’s license number, state and license class. Officers check boxes to indicate whether the driver was impaired, tested for alcohol or drugs, or cited for a violation. In the “Contributing Circumstances” section, the officer codes factors such as failure to keep in lane, distracted driving, speeding or weather conditions【893955765879426†screenshot】. South Dakota uses numeric codes to represent each circumstance; the accompanying code sheet lists their meanings. Another table records details about each occupant. Rows note the occupant number, seating position, whether the person was the driver or a passenger and their injury status (fatal, incapacitating, non‑incapacitating, possible or no injury). Columns capture safety equipment use—seatbelts, child restraints or helmets—plus airbag deployment and ejection status. There are spaces to record whether emergency medical services transported the occupant and to which hospital. For each occupant, the officer notes whether an alcohol or drug test was administered. This level of detail helps public‑health officials track injury patterns and seatbelt usage rates.
Vehicle details
Page three of the report is dedicated to vehicle information. Officers record the vehicle’s make, model, year, registration number and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Additional fields specify whether the vehicle was a passenger car, sport utility vehicle, pickup truck, commercial truck or motorcycle【764187929472766†screenshot】. If the vehicle was towing a trailer, the trailer type and cargo body type are coded. Boxes capture the vehicle’s direction of travel, point of impact, traffic‑control devices present and whether any mechanical defects were observed. Officers also note the vehicle’s insurance company and policy number. For crashes involving hazardous materials, the report asks for the placard number and whether any material was released. The “Harmful Events” section lists sequential harmful events (e.g., collision with another vehicle, rollover, fire) and identifies the most harmful event. There are spaces for officers to identify surface conditions, roadway type, junction type and whether the crash occurred in a work zone. When commercial vehicles are involved, additional questions cover motor carrier name, USDOT number, cargo classification and whether the driver held the proper commercial license.
Witness and investigative information
Pages six and seven include spaces for witnesses and follow‑up information. Officers record the names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witnesses to the crash. Another section indicates whether photographs were taken and whether the officer made a scene diagram. The investigating officer signs the report, and a supervisor reviews and approves it【54210933073380†screenshot】. The signature block documents when the report was completed and when it was approved. If further investigation is required—such as mechanical inspections, toxicology results or reconstruction reports—additional documentation can be attached.
Need a South Dakota Police Report?
Now that you understand the South Dakota police report system, select your city below to begin your request.
Our service simplifies the request process for all South Dakota jurisdictions
All 482 Cities Available
Every city page is accessible. Search for your city or browse the list below.
Sioux Falls
County: Minnehaha
Population: 207.795
ZIP Codes: 57108, 57104, 57105...
Showing top 20 cities by population. All 482 cities have dedicated pages.