Find Dearborn Police Records

Dearborn police records are public documents maintained by the Dearborn Police Department and accessible to any person through Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. The city uses an online portal as its primary method for police FOIA submissions, and also offers email, fax, phone, and mail options. Crash reports in Dearborn are available through a separate system called CLEMIS. This page covers how to search and request Dearborn police records, what records are available, and how the process works from start to finish.

How to Request Dearborn Police Records

The Dearborn Police Department uses an online portal at cityofdearbornmi.nextrequest.com as its preferred method for receiving FOIA requests. You can submit, track, and receive completed records all through this system. No account is strictly required to submit, but creating one lets you track your request status at any time.

If the online portal is not an option, you can email Police-FOIA@dearborn.gov or call 313-943-2230 for guidance. Fax requests go to 313-943-3048. Written requests can be mailed or hand-delivered to the Dearborn Police Department at 16099 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI 48126. Your request must be in writing and describe the records specifically enough for staff to locate them.

For non-police city records, such as records from the city's Law Department or other departments, use the separate channel at FOIA@dearborn.gov or contact the City Law Department at 313-943-2035. That office is at 16901 Michigan Avenue, Ste. 14, Dearborn, MI 48126. The written FOIA public summary is available at cityofdearborn.org.

Include your first and last name, contact information, and a detailed list of the specific records you want. The department requires this basic information to process any FOIA request. Under MCL § 15.231, you do not need to state a reason for the request, and no Michigan residency is needed.

Dearborn's FOIA Submission Portal

The City of Dearborn's online records portal at cityofdearbornmi.nextrequest.com is the primary way to submit and manage police FOIA requests with the Dearborn Police Department.

The portal is the fastest and most reliable way to submit a Dearborn police records request. You can monitor the status of your request and download completed records without making follow-up calls or visits to the department.

Dearborn Crash Reports Through CLEMIS

Traffic crash reports from Dearborn are handled separately from standard FOIA requests. The county-wide CLEMIS system (Courts and Law Enforcement Management Information System) is the primary tool for accessing crash reports in Dearborn. You will need the incident number, your date of birth, and the date of the crash to retrieve a report through CLEMIS.

CLEMIS is used across Wayne County and many other Michigan jurisdictions. If you do not have the incident number, contact the Dearborn Police Department directly before trying to look up the crash report. The department can confirm whether a report was filed and help you get the right report number.

For crashes where CLEMIS is not accessible or you need a certified copy, a standard FOIA request to the Dearborn Police Department will work. Note that crash report requests made within 30 days of the accident come with a restriction: personal information from the report cannot be used for commercial solicitation during that 30-day window. This is a statewide rule that applies in Dearborn just as it does in Detroit and other Michigan cities.

Dearborn Police Records You Can Get

Dearborn Police Department FOIA requests can produce incident reports, arrest records, crash reports (when not available through CLEMIS), and other officer-generated documents. Records from closed cases are generally public. Records from active investigations may be withheld under MCL § 15.243 until the case concludes.

Online incident reporting in Dearborn is available for certain non-emergency situations. You can report incidents that have no suspect information and no evidence that could lead to identifying a suspect, as long as the incident happened within city limits. This system is separate from a FOIA request and is used to create a new report, not to retrieve an existing one.

Dearborn's response time is 5 to 15 business days. The standard Michigan FOIA deadline is 5 business days, but Dearborn notes that complex requests or high-volume periods can lead to an extension letter being issued. Under MCL § 15.235, any extension beyond 5 days must come with written notice explaining the reason and the expected completion date.

If your request is denied, Dearborn must tell you in writing which exemption applies. You have the right to appeal that denial. Dearborn follows standard Michigan appeal procedures, with administrative appeals going to the department head and civil actions filed in Wayne County Circuit Court if needed.

Wayne County and Statewide Resources

Dearborn is located in Wayne County. The Wayne County Sheriff's Office maintains records separate from the Dearborn Police Department. Incidents handled by county deputies or in unincorporated parts of Wayne County should be requested from the sheriff directly.

The Michigan State Police ICHAT tool provides statewide criminal history for $10 per search. It covers felonies and serious misdemeanors from all 83 counties and is a good complement to a Dearborn police records request when you need the broader picture.

The Michigan Courts Case Search is free and covers Wayne County circuit and district court records. You can search by name or case number to see charges filed, hearing dates, and case outcomes. Court records are separate from police records but tell you what happened after an arrest.

The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry at mipsor.state.mi.us is searchable free of charge. Look up registered offenders in Dearborn by name or street address. The registry is maintained by the Michigan State Police.

Nearby Cities

Dearborn is a western suburb of Detroit in Wayne County. For police records from nearby cities, use the links below.