Ann Arbor Police Records

Ann Arbor police records are public documents held by the Ann Arbor Police Department and accessible under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. Incident reports, arrest records, crash reports, and 911-related documents can all be requested by any person with no need to state a reason. Ann Arbor operates separate FOIA channels for police records and non-police city records, and also makes a number of data sets available publicly without any formal request. This guide walks you through every option for searching and requesting Ann Arbor police records.

How to Request Ann Arbor Police Records

Ann Arbor has two separate FOIA channels. Police records go through the Police Records Department, and other city records go through the City Clerk's office. Do not mix these up. If you send a police records request to the City Clerk, it will be forwarded, but that will add time. Use the right channel from the start.

For police records, you can email your request to a2policerecords@a2gov.org. Include "FOIA" or "FOIA Request" in the subject line. You can also fax to (734) 994-9928 or mail to the Police Records Department, Attn: FOIA Coordinator, Justice Center, 2nd Floor, 301 E. Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. An online form is available at a2gov.org/city-clerk/records-request-foia. You can also call 734-794-6000 to ask questions, though requests must be in writing to start the formal process.

For non-police city records, contact the City Clerk's office at cityclerk@a2gov.org or call 734-794-6140. The general FOIA form is at a2gov.org/city-clerk/foia-request. Mail goes to City Clerk's Office, ATTN: FOIA Coordinator, City Hall 2nd Floor, 301 E. Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.

You do not have to use any official form. Any written request that clearly describes the records you want will work. Under MCL § 15.231, no reason is required and no Michigan residency is needed. The key is specificity. Give the date, time, location, and names involved.

Ann Arbor Public Data Available Without FOIA

Ann Arbor makes a large amount of data publicly available without a formal request. Crime data is published online and can be searched without going through the FOIA process. The city's Open Data Portal includes dashboards, GIS maps, and raw datasets covering a wide range of city activities. If you are looking for general crime trends rather than a specific incident report, the open data tools may get you what you need faster.

A2 Open Book is a public database of city financial records, including the city checkbook. Building permit records are available through the Stream system for permits from April 2021 forward and through A2Trak for the period from 2008 to March 2021. Older records going back to 1930 are accessible through OnBase. City Council records are available through the Legislative Information Center.

These resources are all available at no cost. None of them require a FOIA request. If you need a specific incident report, arrest record, or document tied to a particular case, then a formal FOIA request is the right path. But for broader research, the open data tools save time and effort.

Ann Arbor FOIA Submission Pages

The Ann Arbor city clerk's FOIA page at a2gov.org is the online starting point for requesting Ann Arbor police records through the city's formal process.

The city records request page allows you to submit requests for police department records and check on the status of previously filed requests. This is the recommended method for most people requesting Ann Arbor police records.

The general city FOIA form for non-police records is available at a2gov.org/city-clerk/foia-request, which is a separate channel managed by the City Clerk's office.

The City Clerk's FOIA page handles records from all city departments except the police. Fire, public works, parks, and city administration records all route through this form rather than the police records channel.

Ann Arbor Police Records Fees

Ann Arbor's fee structure is more favorable than many Michigan cities. The first full hour of staff time is free. After that, labor is billed in 15-minute increments at the wage of the lowest-paid city employee who can handle the task, plus fringe benefits that generally do not exceed 50% of the hourly wage. This means small or simple requests often cost nothing beyond copy fees.

Copy fees in Ann Arbor are $0.05 per page for standard 8.5x11 or 8.5x14 paper. CD or DVD copies cost $1.00 each. Large-format GIS prints are $12.50 per sheet. For photographs, videotapes, and maps that must be duplicated off-site, actual cost applies. Mailing is billed at cost, but mailing fees are waived for requests that fit in a standard business envelope with up to 8 pages.

If the estimated fee exceeds $50, Ann Arbor can require a 50% deposit before starting work. If you had a prior unpaid request, a 100% deposit may be required under MCL § 15.234. Indigent requesters can get the first $20 waived by submitting an Affidavit of Indigency showing receipt of public assistance or inability to pay. This discount can be claimed twice per calendar year.

Response time is 5 business days from receipt. Email and fax requests are deemed received the next business day. An extension of up to 10 additional business days is allowed with written notice. Fee disputes must be appealed to the City Administrator within 45 days. Denial appeals go to the City Administrator within 180 days.

Washtenaw County and Statewide Resources

Ann Arbor is the county seat of Washtenaw County. The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office handles county-level law enforcement and maintains records separate from the Ann Arbor Police Department. For incidents handled by county deputies rather than city police, direct your FOIA request to the sheriff's office.

The Michigan State Police ICHAT system provides statewide criminal history checks for $10. It covers felonies and serious misdemeanors from all 83 Michigan counties. ICHAT does not include traffic offenses, juvenile records, or federal charges. Access it at michigan.gov/msp/services/ichat.

The Michigan Courts Case Search is free and covers Washtenaw County circuit and district court records. You can look up charges, hearings, and outcomes by name or case number. It is the best free tool for tracking what happened after an Ann Arbor arrest moved into the courts.

The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry at mipsor.state.mi.us lets you search for registered offenders in Ann Arbor by name or address. It is free and maintained by the Michigan State Police.

Nearby Cities

Ann Arbor is in southeast Michigan. For police records from other nearby qualifying cities, see the links below.