Flint Police Records Database
Flint police records are public documents held by the Flint Police Department and managed through the City of Flint's FOIA process in Genesee County. Incident reports, arrest records, and jail records are accessible to any person who files a proper request. Flint uses a NextRequest online portal that lets you submit, track, and pay for records requests in one place. This guide covers how to use that system, what records are available, how fees work, and what statewide tools can supplement a Flint records search.
Flint Police Records at a Glance
Flint and Genesee County Records
Flint is the county seat of Genesee County and the largest city in the county. The Flint Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency within city limits. Genesee County Sheriff's Office handles unincorporated county areas and maintains the county jail. Jail records for people held at the Genesee County Jail require contacting the sheriff's office directly. Court records tied to Flint cases go through the 67th District Court and the Genesee County 7th Circuit Court. See the Genesee County police records page for county-level resources.
Courts in Michigan are not subject to FOIA. To look up case information, use the Michigan Courts Case Search portal for free online access, or use the specific district and circuit court portals for Genesee County cases.
How to Request Flint Police Records
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL § 15.231 gives anyone the right to request public records from the City of Flint. You do not need to explain why you want the records. No residency requirement applies. Flint accepts requests through multiple channels.
The easiest method is the online NextRequest portal available through cityofflint.com. This system lets you submit, track, and pay online without needing to mail or fax anything. You can also submit by email at foiarequest@cityofflint.com, by fax at (810) 515-7202, or by mail to: Attn: FOIA Coordinator, City of Flint Department of Law, 1101 S. Saginaw Street, 3rd Floor, Flint, MI 48502.
A downloadable FOIA request form is available at cityofflint.com/documents/foia-request-form. The form asks for your name, phone, email, street address, city, state, and zip. You select whether you want a copy, certified copy, inspection, or subscription. Then you choose how you want the records delivered: pickup, mail, email, or digital media. Be precise when describing what you want. Include the name of the person involved, their date of birth, the date and location of the incident, and any case number you have. Vague requests take longer and may come back with questions.
Note: Flint's FOIA coordinator processes requests through the Department of Law. Under MCL § 15.235, the city must respond within 5 business days and may extend by up to 10 additional business days with written notice.
Flint FOIA Request Portal
The Flint FOIA request form at cityofflint.com is the starting point for requesting police records from the city. The form is straightforward and covers all the required fields under Michigan law.
Use the Flint FOIA form to request incident reports, arrest records, 911 dispatch logs, and other police documents. The NextRequest system at cityofflint.com lets you track your request and receive updates as it is processed.
What Flint Police Records Are Available
Incident reports from the Flint Police Department include the names of people involved, dates of birth, the date and location of the incident, and a description of what happened. Case numbers and officer information may also be included. These reports document responses to calls and are the most commonly requested type of police record.
Arrest records show booking information, charges, and release details. Once charges are filed and the case moves forward, arrest records become much more accessible. Records tied to active investigations are typically withheld under MCL § 15.243 until the case closes. Informant identity information is never disclosed. Personnel files and some officer-related records may also be exempt.
Jail records for Genesee County are held by the Genesee County Sheriff, not the city. If you need records for someone held at the county jail, contact the sheriff's office directly. The ICHAT database from the Michigan State Police is the statewide tool for criminal history beyond a single Flint incident. Court records for the 67th District Court and the 7th Circuit Court are searchable through the Michigan Courts Case Search portal and each court's own case access systems.
Flint Police Records Fees
Flint follows the Michigan FOIA fee rules under MCL § 15.234. Labor is billed at the hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee who can do the work. A real example from an actual Flint records request shows labor billed at $33.09 per hour and review time for separating exempt from non-exempt content billed at $23 per hour. For a single large request, one estimate came to $956.35 for police funding and surveillance records. That is not typical for a simple incident report, but it shows what complex requests can cost.
A good-faith fee estimate is valid for 45 days. If you do not pay the required deposit within 45 days of the estimate, Flint will close the request. You will need to start over. The deposit amount is 50% of the estimated total when the estimate exceeds $50. Payment is accepted through the online portal or by check payable to the City of Flint Treasurer. If you had a prior unpaid request, the city can require full prepayment before processing a new one.
The indigency discount of $20 is available under state law. You need to submit a sworn affidavit showing you receive public assistance or cannot pay the fee. You can use this discount up to twice per calendar year. Fee waivers may also be considered for requests that serve a strong public interest, though this is not guaranteed and must be requested.
Court Records for Flint Cases
Flint cases pass through two main courts. The 67th District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, and preliminary hearings. The Genesee County 7th Circuit Court handles felonies and civil matters. Both courts have their own case access portals for online searches. The D67 District Court Case Search Portal and the 7th Circuit Case Access Portal let you look up case records by name or case number without filing a FOIA request. Court records sit outside FOIA, so these portals are the right path for court data.
You can also search cases through the statewide Michigan Courts Case Search tool, which aggregates records from courts across the state. For certified copies of court documents, contact the respective court clerk in Flint or the county seat.
Statewide Tools to Use with Flint Records
The ICHAT database from the Michigan State Police gives you statewide felony and serious misdemeanor records for $10 per search. It works well as a companion to a Flint police records request when you want a broader view of someone's history across multiple counties or jurisdictions.
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry is free at mipsor.state.mi.us. OTIS, the Department of Corrections offender tracker, is free at mdocweb.state.mi.us/OTIS2. If the incident involved Michigan State Police troopers, you can submit a separate FOIA request to the MSP FOIA office. Crash reports involving state roads or MSP response may also be available through the Michigan Traffic Crash Purchasing System.
Nearby Michigan Cities
Need police records from another part of Michigan? These cities have dedicated pages.