Detroit, MI Police Records Search

Detroit Police Department Records

Police records in Detroit are maintained mainly by the Detroit Police Department, which serves as the city’s local police agency. The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office may also hold records related to county jail custody, booking information, sheriff incidents, and county enforcement activity. Records may include arrest records, incident reports, accident and traffic crash reports, call logs, citations, supplemental reports, and booking records. Members of the public may request many records under Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act, while people directly involved in an incident may have additional access to certain reports. Availability depends on whether the record exists, which agency created it, privacy protections, court rules, retention schedules, and whether the case is still active or under investigation.

How to Request Police Records in Detroit

To request police records in Detroit, start with the Detroit Police Department or the City of Detroit FOIA office. Requests are commonly submitted through an online FOIA portal, by mail, by email, in person, or by phone for general instructions. For jail or sheriff-held records, contact the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. A request should include the incident date, report number if known, location, names of involved people, type of report requested, and the requester’s contact information. Agencies may charge fees for search time, review, printed pages, digital copies, accident reports, or certified copies. Under Michigan public records law, an agency generally must respond within 5 business days, with a possible 10-business-day extension. The response may provide the record, deny it, ask for payment, request clarification, or explain that more time is needed. Requesters may be contacted by email, mail, or phone if the agency needs details to locate the record. Some records may be redacted, delayed, or denied, especially open investigations, juvenile matters, protected personal information, or court-restricted records, which is normal under Michigan public records law.

Detroit Police Departments

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