Richmond Police disable online reporting portal to uphold sanctuary policy
The Richmond Police Department has shut down its online reporting portal and automated traffic collision report system, citing the need to comply with the city’s sanctuary policy.
Police Chief Bisa French announced the move at the Community Police Review Commission Wednesday night. It affects two key functions: the system used by insurance companies to obtain traffic collision reports and the department’s online reporting system.
“We put a request for proposal out to different vendors to try to get services,” French said. “LexisNexis provides these services, but obviously doesn’t comply with the sanctuary city policy, and we’re trying to see what other vendors are out there.”
In January, the department requested an exemption from Richmond’s sanctuary city ordinance after LexisNexis, a data analytics company, acquired three software applications used by the Richmond Police Department. The item was withdrawn from the January 7 Richmond City Council meeting agenda.
Soren Hemmila
The Richmond Police Department has used applications—Accurint TraX, Coplogic, and Crossroads — for several years to mitigate low staffing levels and improve response times through automation.
After LexisNexis acquired these services, the company informed RPD that it could not comply with Richmond’s Sanctuary City Contracting and Investment Ordinance due to its existing contracts with the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Under the ordinance, Richmond is prohibited from contracting with entities that provide ICE with data brokerage or "extreme vetting services" unless the council determines that no reasonable alternative exists.
The department has disabled LexisNexis’ access to collision reports, which insurance companies typically use to process claims. While the reports remain available through traditional request processes, the automated LexisNexis portal is no longer an option.
“Even though we’ve shut off the portal, they still have the ability to write in and get a report, just as anybody else does,” French said. “Unfortunately, that’s the mechanism that insurance companies use.”
Additionally, the department has discontinued its online reporting system, which was also operated by LexisNexis. Previously, residents could file low-level reports online. Now, officers must handle these reports in person, which could lead to longer response times for calls.
LexisNexis also acquired Coplogic, an online reporting system that allowed Richmond residents to submit police reports for non-suspect incidents and obtain a free copy of their report. The tool also let citizens file reports for insurance purposes or financial crimes without known suspects, enabling users to request traffic collision reports online, eliminating the need to visit the Hall of Justice Records Division in person.
“We’ve shut that off, and now officers are responding to take those police reports from people,” French said. “We used to refer people to online reporting for low-level reports because we don’t have a lot of officers. But right now, we just don’t have any other options."
French said the city’s request for proposals closes at the end of this week.
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