Clinton Township Police Records

Clinton Township police records are public documents available through Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, with requests routed through the Macomb County FOIA system. Clinton Township's police department operates within the Macomb County law enforcement network, and county-level FOIA procedures apply to many record requests from this community. This guide explains how to find and request Clinton Township police records, where to send your request, and what other tools are available for Macomb County law enforcement records.

How to Request Clinton Township Police Records

Clinton Township police FOIA requests follow the Macomb County process. The Macomb County FOIA portal is at macombgov.org/departments/corporation-counsel/macomb-county-foia-requests. You can submit a request there, or email foia@macombgov.org. Mail requests go to the Office of Corporation Counsel, Attention: FOIA Coordinator, One South Main, Mt. Clemens, MI 48043. Fax is also available at 586-466-4125.

Your request must be in writing and clearly describe the records you are seeking. Include the date, time, and location of the incident, along with names of anyone involved and any report or incident number you have. Under MCL § 15.231, you do not need to give a reason for your request. There is no residency requirement to file.

Macomb County handles FOIA requests through its Office of Corporation Counsel. This office reviews requests, determines which records are responsive, applies any applicable exemptions, and coordinates with relevant departments. For records specifically involving Clinton Township incidents, it helps to note the location clearly so the right division can pull the correct files.

Some Macomb County records are available on the county website without a formal FOIA request. Check the county website first before filing. If what you need is not available there, the written FOIA request is your next step. The county must respond within 5 business days of receiving the request, with up to a 10-day extension allowed under MCL § 15.235.

Macomb County FOIA Resources

The Macomb County FOIA page at macombgov.org is the central hub for submitting public records requests that cover Clinton Township police activity and other county law enforcement records.

The county FOIA page includes submission instructions, contact information for the FOIA coordinator, and guidance on fees and response timelines. Start here before calling the office if you are new to the FOIA process in Macomb County.

Macomb County Sheriff and Inmate Records

Clinton Township is part of the Macomb County Sheriff's Office investigative services network. For incidents investigated by sheriff's deputies rather than township officers, the same FOIA process applies but the request should note that you are seeking sheriff's office records specifically.

Inmate records for the Macomb County Jail are searchable online through the county's inmate lookup tool. This lets you check if someone is currently in county custody and see basic booking information. You do not need a FOIA request to access the online inmate search. Look for the tool on the Macomb County Sheriff's Office website or through the county's main government portal at macombgov.org.

If you need more than what the online lookup shows, such as booking sheets, arrest reports, or detailed custody records, a FOIA request to the county is required. Standard Michigan FOIA timelines apply. The county may require a good-faith deposit for requests where the total estimated fee exceeds $50.

Jail records at the county level are separate from police department incident reports. An arrest in Clinton Township may generate both a police report from the responding agency and a booking record at the county jail. You may need to request both to get the full picture of what happened.

Court Records for Clinton Township Cases

Cases originating in Clinton Township move through the Macomb County court system. District court cases, which cover traffic violations, misdemeanors, and preliminary hearings for felonies, are heard at the 42nd District Court. Circuit court handles felony trials and major civil matters for all of Macomb County.

Court records for Clinton Township cases are searchable for free through the Michigan Courts Case Search portal. You can look up cases by party name or case number and see charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. Court records are not subject to FOIA and are managed independently from police records.

If the case you are researching is not appearing in the online search, contact the 42nd District Court clerk's office directly. Some older records may not be digitized, and in-person lookup at the courthouse may be needed. The courthouse is in Clinton Township at 72777 Sherwood Street.

Michigan State Resources

The Michigan State Police ICHAT tool provides statewide criminal history records for $10 per search. It covers felonies and serious misdemeanors from all 83 counties, including Macomb County. ICHAT does not cover traffic offenses, juvenile records, or federal charges.

The Michigan State Police also handles statewide FOIA requests for MSP records and crash reports. If an incident in Clinton Township involved state troopers, you would submit your request to the MSP rather than to Macomb County. The MSP accepts requests online, by email at MSPRecords@michigan.gov, or by mail to their Lansing records center.

The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry at mipsor.state.mi.us is free to search. You can look up registered offenders in Clinton Township by name or address. The registry is maintained by the State Police and updated regularly.

Nearby Cities

Clinton Township is in northern Macomb County, bordering several other Macomb communities. For police records from neighboring areas, use the links below.