Farmington Hills Police Records

Farmington Hills police records are held by the Farmington Hills Police Department Records Section in Oakland County. Anyone can request incident reports, investigation records, body camera footage, 911 recordings, and arrest records under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. The Records Section handles both police FOIA requests and general city records requests. This guide explains the process, contacts, fees, and what types of records you can expect to receive.

Oakland County and Farmington Hills

Farmington Hills is in Oakland County. The city has its own police department that operates independently of the Oakland County Sheriff. For any incident that happened within Farmington Hills city limits, the Farmington Hills Police Department is the agency to contact. Oakland County court records that relate to local cases pass through the 47th District Court and the Oakland County Circuit Court. For county-level records, the sheriff's office, and countywide resources, visit the Oakland County police records page.

Court records in Michigan fall outside the FOIA system. To look up case information tied to a Farmington Hills arrest or incident, use the free Michigan Courts Case Search tool. You can search by name or case number and see charges filed, hearing dates, and dispositions. For certified copies of court documents, contact the court clerk directly.

How to Request Farmington Hills Police Records

All FOIA requests for Farmington Hills police records go through the Records Section at the Farmington Hills Police Department. The Records Section contact is Michelle McMahon, and you can reach her at 248-871-2720. The department handles both police records and general city FOIA requests through the same office, which simplifies the process compared to some other cities where you need to figure out which department to contact.

Your request must be in writing. No specific form is legally required, but the city provides one if you ask. Include your full name, a mailing address in USPS format, phone number or email, and a detailed description of the records you want. The more specific you are, the better. Include the date of the incident, the location, names involved, and a case number if you have one. You can submit the request by email through the main police department contact, by mail to the Farmington Hills Police Department Records Section, or by fax during business hours. In-person submission is also accepted.

Under MCL § 15.231, anyone can request records without stating a reason. Residency is not required. No reason means no red flags. Michigan law at MCL § 15.235 requires the agency to respond within 5 business days. They may extend that by up to 10 more business days by giving you written notice with a reason for the delay.

MSP FOIA Resources

The Michigan State Police FOIA page provides statewide context for how police records requests work in Michigan, including state police records that may overlap with Farmington Hills incidents.

The MSP FOIA portal lets you submit, track, and pay for state police records requests online. If your incident involved MSP troopers in addition to local officers, you may need separate requests from both agencies.

Farmington Hills Police Records You Can Request

The Farmington Hills Police Department produces and maintains a range of law enforcement documents. Full police reports are available once cases are closed or charges are filed. Investigation records are subject to exemptions, particularly for ongoing matters. Body camera footage can be requested but often requires additional review time because the department must redact portions of the video that show exempt content. Budget extra time when requesting body cam footage.

911 call recordings are another type of record you can request. These recordings document what was reported and what was dispatched. Like police reports, they are subject to exemptions for ongoing cases and personal privacy concerns under MCL § 15.243. Arrest records covering booking details, charges, and release information are also available through the Records Section.

Some records stay closed. Ongoing investigation materials are typically withheld until the case ends. Personnel files for officers and records that identify confidential informants are exempt under state law. If the Records Section denies any part of your request, they must give you a written explanation that cites the specific exemption they relied on. You have 180 days to appeal a denial in writing.

Cost of Farmington Hills Police Records

Farmington Hills follows the state fee structure under MCL § 15.234. Labor is billed at the hourly wage of the lowest-paid employee who can perform the task, plus up to 50% of that wage for fringe benefits. Time is tracked in 15-minute increments. Searches that take less than 15 minutes have no labor charge. Copy costs are at actual duplication cost, typically around $0.10 per page for standard paper. Digital copies are charged at actual cost for the media used.

For large requests with an estimated fee over $50, the department can ask for a 50% deposit before starting work. The indigency discount of $20 is available for qualifying residents who submit a sworn affidavit showing they receive public assistance or cannot pay the fee. Body camera footage requests may carry higher labor costs because of the time required for redaction review. Ask for a fee estimate upfront for any complex request.

Michigan Statewide Police Record Tools

For a broader view of someone's criminal record, the ICHAT criminal history tool from the Michigan State Police covers felony and serious misdemeanor records from all 83 counties. The fee is $10 per search. ICHAT does not cover traffic offenses, juvenile records, or federal cases. It is the best single tool for statewide criminal history beyond what a single Farmington Hills report contains.

The Michigan Sex Offender Registry at mipsor.state.mi.us is free and searchable by name, city, or address. The OTIS offender tracking system covers state prisoners and people on parole or probation. It is free at mdocweb.state.mi.us/OTIS2. Crash reports from Farmington Hills incidents may also be available through the Michigan Traffic Crash Purchasing System.

Challenging a Denial in Farmington Hills

If the Records Section denies your request or charges fees you think are wrong, you can appeal. Put your appeal in writing within 180 days and send it to the head of the Farmington Hills Police Department or the city's designated appeal authority. Explain what you requested, why you think the denial does not apply, and what result you are asking for. If that appeal is denied, you can file a civil action in the Oakland County Circuit Court.

Michigan law allows courts to award attorney fees and costs when a denial is found to be wrongful. If the denial was arbitrary or in bad faith, damages between $1,000 and $7,500 may be ordered. The Michigan Attorney General's FOIA guidance at michigan.gov/ag/foia can help you understand your rights and build your appeal.

Other Oakland County Cities

Find police records in nearby Michigan cities that have their own records pages.