Temple Arrest Records and Jail Mugshots
Temple jail mugshots and arrest records are managed by the Temple Police Department and the Bell County Sheriff's Office. When Temple PD makes an arrest inside city limits, the person is typically transported to the Bell County Jail in Belton, where booking photos are taken and an inmate record is created. This page explains how to search Temple arrest records, where mugshots are stored, and how to request documents under Texas public information law.
Temple Overview
Temple Police Department Records
The Temple Police Department serves as the primary law enforcement agency within Temple city limits. TPD officers handle calls for service, make arrests, and file reports that become part of the city's records system. The department is located at 3505 South General Bruce Drive, Temple, TX 76504. Their non-emergency line is (254) 298-5500. The department's public website is at templetx.gov/police.
The Temple Police Department website at templetx.gov/police provides information on records requests, department contacts, and public safety resources for Temple residents.
Temple PD maintains its own records division that processes requests for police reports, incident records, and related documents. Most people arrested by Temple PD are transferred to the Bell County Jail after initial processing. Some minor arrests may result in a municipal citation rather than full custody. The Records Division can help you determine which type of record applies to your situation.
| Department | Temple Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 3505 South General Bruce Dr, Temple, TX 76504 |
| Phone | (254) 298-5500 |
| Website | templetx.gov/police |
Where Temple Jail Mugshots Are Held
The Bell County Sheriff's Office maintains the official jail for the county and holds custody of most arrestees from Temple and other Bell County cities. When Temple PD transfers someone to the Bell County Jail, the Sheriff's Office takes over the booking process. That process includes taking the mugshot, recording charges, and logging the inmate into the jail management system. Bell County runs an online inmate inquiry portal at nwweb.co.bell.tx.us/NewWorld.InmateInquiry/TX0140000.
That portal lets you search by name, booking number, or subject number. You can filter results by custody status or booking date. If someone was booked but has since been released, they may still appear in search results for some time. For older records no longer visible in the online system, contact the Bell County Sheriff's Office directly at (254) 933-5400.
Note: The Bell County Jail is located at 400 Central Avenue, Belton, TX 76513, which is the county seat about 10 miles from Temple.
How to Find Temple Arrest Records
Temple arrest records are stored in two places. The Temple PD holds police incident reports. The Bell County Sheriff holds jail booking records and mugshots. To get a complete picture, you may need to contact both. Here is the most direct route for common searches.
For current inmates, the Bell County inmate portal is the first stop. Search by name at nwweb.co.bell.tx.us. If the person is not showing there, they may have been released, transferred to a state facility, or posted bond. For state prison inmates, search the TDCJ offender database at inmate.tdcj.texas.gov/InmateSearch/start. For Temple PD police reports, submit a public information request to the Records Division at the address above.
Court records for criminal cases are held by the Bell County District Clerk and are separate from arrest records. If you need information about how a case was resolved, the District Clerk's office can provide that. Civil name searches at the county clerk level cost $5 per name. The County Clerk's number is (254) 933-5171.
Public Information Requests in Temple
Under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, known as the Texas Public Information Act, anyone can request arrest records, booking logs, and police reports held by Texas government agencies. This applies to both the Temple Police Department and the Bell County Sheriff's Office. Each agency handles its own requests separately, so you need to submit separate requests if you need records from both.
Agencies must respond within 10 business days of receiving a written request. A response may include the records, a cost estimate, or a notice that the agency is seeking a ruling from the Texas Attorney General on whether certain parts can be withheld. Requests can be submitted by mail, in person, or by email depending on the agency's process. If you believe a denial is improper, you can file a complaint with the Attorney General's Open Records Division.
For Temple PD records, contact the Records Division at (254) 298-5500 or visit 3505 South General Bruce Drive. For Bell County Sheriff records, contact the Sheriff's Office at (254) 933-5400 or visit 400 Central Avenue, Belton.
Texas Statewide Arrest Record Resources
When local searches do not return results, statewide tools can help. The Texas DPS maintains a criminal history database covering all Texas counties. TDCJ runs the main search for people who received a state prison sentence. VINELink is a free service that sends notifications when custody status changes.
- TDCJ Offender Search: inmate.tdcj.texas.gov/InmateSearch/start
- Texas DPS Crime Records: dps.texas.gov/section/crime-records
- VINELink: vinelink.com
VINELink provides free custody alerts and lets you track when a person's custody status changes at Bell County Jail or any other Texas facility that participates in the VINE network.
Expunction and Record Sealing in Bell County
Texas law provides a path to clear certain arrest records through expunction. Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, you may petition the court to have a Temple arrest record destroyed if the charges were dismissed, a grand jury issued a no-bill, or the arrest did not lead to a conviction. Once the court grants an expunction, agencies must destroy their records of the arrest.
The petition is filed in the district court in Bell County. Eligibility depends on the outcome of the case and the type of charge. Waiting periods apply in some cases. People who completed deferred adjudication may not qualify for expunction but may be eligible for an order of nondisclosure, which seals the record from most public searches while preserving it for law enforcement use. A Bell County attorney or legal aid organization in the Temple area can review your case and advise you on whether you qualify.
After expunction, the record should no longer show up in public searches including the Bell County inmate portal, police department records, and DPS background checks. It can take several months for all agencies to process and remove the data from their systems.
Bell County Jail Records
Temple arrests are processed at Bell County Jail. Visit the county page for the inmate search portal and booking record details.