Access the Burnsville Police Blotter
The Burnsville Police Department serves one of Dakota County's most populated cities and maintains police blotter records, crime statistics, and public safety data that residents can access through the department's records unit, online public data request process, and crime mapping tools, all governed by Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act and its specific rules for law enforcement records.
Burnsville Police Department
The Burnsville Police Department is located at 100 Civic Center Parkway, Burnsville MN 55337. Lobby hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Records Unit can be reached directly at 952-895-4600, also Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For emergencies, call 911. Non-emergency dispatch is handled through Dakota 911 at 651-322-2323 or 952-322-2323, which provides 24-hour communications for Burnsville and other Dakota County communities.
The department's main page on the city website links to public records resources and department information for Burnsville residents. The screenshot below shows the Burnsville Police Department's online presence through the city's website.
Visit the Burnsville Police Department page for contact details, records request information, and public safety resources.
The department page links to crime statistics, background check forms, and the online public data request tool, along with general department information for Burnsville residents.
Police Blotter Records and What They Include
The Burnsville police blotter is the ongoing record of incidents handled by the department. Every call that generates a report, every arrest made, and every officer-initiated activity that's documented becomes part of the department's records. Common blotter entries for a city like Burnsville include traffic accidents, theft complaints, burglary reports, vandalism calls, DWI arrests, disturbance responses, and drug-related incidents.
Under Minn. Stat. § 13.82, the Burnsville Police Department must make certain data public. This includes the time and date of incidents, the general type of call, the location at a level that protects private home addresses, and the names and charges of people who have been arrested. Victim identities, witness information, and juvenile data are private and not included in public releases. Active investigation data may also be withheld when releasing it would compromise an ongoing case.
Crime Statistics and Mapping
Burnsville provides crime statistics and mapping tools through its website at burnsvillemn.gov/437/Crime-Statistics-Mapping. This resource goes beyond the individual incident level by compiling data over time, letting residents and researchers see trends in criminal activity across the city. The map-based view shows where incidents are concentrated, and the statistical summaries show how activity changes from month to month or year to year.
The crime statistics and mapping page provides a visual and data-driven view of public safety activity in Burnsville. The screenshot below shows this resource on the city's website.
Access the Burnsville crime statistics and mapping page to view geographic and trend data on law enforcement activity.
The crime mapping tool displays incident data geographically, giving residents a clearer view of where specific types of calls are clustered across different parts of the city.
How to Request Police Records
Burnsville offers an online public data request option through its city website. This is a convenient way to request police reports, accident reports, or other law enforcement records without visiting in person. You can also request records by calling the Records Unit at 952-895-4600 during business hours or by visiting the department in person at 100 Civic Center Parkway.
When submitting a request, include the date of the incident, the type of call or case, and any identifying information like a case number or the names of people involved. The department will locate the record, apply the appropriate data classifications, and release what falls into the public category. If the record contains a mix of public and private data, the department will redact the private portions before releasing the document.
The department can charge for reasonable costs associated with locating, copying, and transmitting records. For straightforward requests, fees are typically modest. For large or complex requests, the department should provide a cost estimate before incurring substantial costs. Minn. Stat. § 13.03 governs response timelines and the procedures for handling and responding to data requests across all Minnesota government agencies.
Accident Reports
Traffic accident reports in Burnsville can be obtained through the Records Unit at 952-895-4600 or through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services online. The DVS online system lets involved parties retrieve crash reports without calling or visiting the department. This is particularly useful for insurance claims, where the insurer often needs a copy of the official crash report. Check with the department for current fees and turnaround times.
Background Checks and Letters of Clearance
The Burnsville Police Department provides background check services and letters of clearance (also called good conduct letters) for various official purposes. A letter of clearance shows that you have no significant local police record and is commonly needed for immigration, citizenship applications, adoptions, and visas. To get one, call the Records Unit at 952-895-4600. The fee is $35, payable by cash or check. You'll need to bring a valid ID. This service is not available online; it requires in-person or phone contact with the Records Unit.
For more comprehensive background checks, the department offers a form available at burnsvillemn.gov that covers criminal history, local police records, warrant checks, driver's license checks, and historical address checks. These checks are used by people who need documentation for specific legal or administrative purposes.
Dakota County Resources
Burnsville is part of Dakota County, which provides county-level law enforcement and judicial services. The Dakota County Sheriff's Office maintains jail records, warrant information, and an inmate search database for people who want to check custody status. For court records covering cases that originated with Burnsville police, you'd look to Dakota County District Court.
Dakota 911 handles dispatch for Burnsville and shares that function with other Dakota County cities including Eagan, Apple Valley, and Lakeville. This regional approach to dispatch is common in metro counties and helps coordinate multi-jurisdiction responses when needed.
Police Auction
The Burnsville Police Department auctions unclaimed property through Property Room Online Auction. Items that go unclaimed after the required holding period are listed for public auction through this service. It can take up to a year from the time an item is seized or found before it reaches auction, so don't expect recently lost or seized items to appear quickly. The Property Room site lists current and upcoming auctions from Burnsville and other participating agencies.
Nearby Cities
Burnsville shares borders with several other Dakota County and south-metro cities, each with its own police department and public records process.
- Eagan - east of Burnsville along the Dakota County interior
- Apple Valley - southeast of Burnsville in Dakota County
- Lakeville - south of Burnsville along I-35
- Bloomington - north of Burnsville across the county line
- Edina - northwest of Burnsville in Hennepin County