Search Troy Police Records
Troy police records are maintained by the Troy Police Department in Oakland County. Residents and interested parties can request incident reports, crash reports, arrest records, and other law enforcement documents through the city's FOIA process. The Troy Police Department has a dedicated records email and a counter that handles requests Monday through Friday. This guide covers how to submit a records request, what you can expect to receive, and what fees apply.
Troy Police Records at a Glance
Troy is in Oakland County
Troy is a city in Oakland County, one of the most populous counties in Michigan. The Troy Police Department operates independently and maintains its own records separate from the Oakland County Sheriff. If an incident occurred within Troy city limits, the Troy Police Department is the right office for the report. The Oakland County Sheriff handles records for unincorporated county areas and may share jurisdiction in some situations, but for most Troy incidents you go directly to the city department.
Court records related to Troy cases pass through the Oakland County Circuit Court or the 52nd District Court. These courts are not subject to FOIA under Michigan law. To look up court case information, use the Michigan Courts Case Search tool or contact the court clerk directly. For Oakland County Sheriff and county-level records, see the Oakland County police records page.
How to Request Troy Police Records
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, codified at MCL § 15.231, gives anyone the right to ask for public records from a government agency. You do not need to state why you want the records. Troy accepts FOIA requests in several ways. For police-specific records, the fastest path is to email policerecords@troymi.gov directly. For general city records or if you are not sure which office handles your request, email clerks@troymi.gov with "FOIA" in the subject line.
You can also mail your request to: FOIA Coordinator, 500 W Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48084. Fax requests go to (248) 524-1770, with "FOIA" written on the cover page. The Troy Police Records counter is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. You can call police records at 248-524-3437 or the general number at (248) 524-3317.
A downloadable FOIA request form is available at the City Clerk's website. The form asks for your name, USPS-compliant address, phone number, email, organization if applicable, a description of the records you want, what format you prefer (copy, certified copy, inspection, or subscription), and how you want the records delivered. Fill out each field as completely as you can so staff can locate the records without needing to follow up.
Note: Under MCL § 15.235, Troy must respond to your FOIA request within 5 business days of receiving it. Email and fax requests count as received on the following business day.
Troy Police Records Available to the Public
The Troy Police Department handles a wide range of records. Incident reports document officer responses to calls. They include a description of what happened, names of involved parties, dates, times, and locations. Crash reports for accidents in Troy are available both through FOIA and through the CLEMIS system online. CLEMIS is the region's law enforcement information system, and Troy participates in it. This gives you an online path for crash reports without always needing a formal request.
Arrest records show booking information, charges, and what happened after an arrest. Once charges are filed and the case moves forward, arrest records become much more accessible. Records tied to open or active investigations are typically withheld under MCL § 15.243 until the case closes. When Troy denies a request or withholds part of a record, they must tell you in writing which exemption applies and why.
There is an important legal note specific to Troy. A Michigan appellate case, Evening News Ass'n v. City of Troy, established that certain police officer identity information must be disclosed even when agencies try to withhold it on privacy grounds. If Troy denies you information about officer involvement in an incident citing privacy, this case may be relevant to an appeal.
Michigan Courts Case Search
The Michigan Courts Case Search portal provides free access to district and circuit court records tied to Troy cases, including charges filed following a Troy Police arrest.
You can search by name or case number to see charges, hearing dates, and dispositions for cases handled by Oakland County courts. This is a free tool that requires no FOIA request.
Troy Police Records Fee Schedule
Troy follows the Michigan FOIA fee structure set out in MCL § 15.234. Labor is charged at the hourly rate of the lowest-paid city employee who can do the work, plus up to 50% of that wage for fringe benefits. Time is rounded down in 15-minute increments. If the total labor time falls under 15 minutes, no labor charge applies at all. Overtime pay is not included unless you specifically agree to it in writing.
Copy costs are actual reproduction costs. Standard paper copies come to around $0.10 per page. If the total fee estimate goes over $50, Troy can ask for a 50% deposit before processing your request. If you do not pay the deposit within 48 days, the request is considered abandoned and closed. This is stricter than some agencies. Pay the deposit quickly if you want to avoid losing your place in the queue.
A $20 indigency discount is available for residents who receive public assistance or cannot afford the fee. You need to submit a sworn affidavit to claim it. Nonprofit organizations that advocate for people with developmental disabilities or mental illness may also qualify under certain conditions. You can appeal fee disputes to the City Manager within 45 days, then to the Oakland County Circuit Court if needed.
Statewide Police Record Tools
Beyond the Troy Police Department, several state tools give you access to broader Michigan police records. The ICHAT tool from the Michigan State Police is the main statewide criminal history database. It costs $10 per search and covers felony and serious misdemeanor records from all 83 counties. This is useful if you want to see if someone has a record beyond what a single Troy incident report covers.
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry at mipsor.state.mi.us is free and searchable by name or address. OTIS, the Michigan Department of Corrections offender tracking system, covers state prison inmates and people on parole or probation. It is free at mdocweb.state.mi.us/OTIS2. For state police records, you can submit a request to the MSP FOIA office directly.
Crash reports from accidents handled by the MSP or reported to the state are available through the Michigan Traffic Crash Purchasing System. If a Troy Police officer filed the crash report and it was submitted to state records, you may also be able to get it there, in addition to going through the local department.
Appealing a Troy FOIA Denial
If Troy denies your records request or charges what you believe are excessive fees, you have options. First, put your appeal in writing and send it to the Troy City Manager within 45 days of the denial. Describe what you requested, why you think the denial was wrong, and what exemption you believe does not apply. If the City Manager upholds the denial, your next step is to file a civil action in the Oakland County Circuit Court.
Under Michigan law, if a court finds the denial was wrongful, the requester can recover attorney fees and other costs. In cases where a denial was found to be arbitrary or in bad faith, damages between $1,000 and $7,500 may be awarded. The Michigan Attorney General's office provides FOIA guidance at michigan.gov/ag/foia for residents who want help understanding their rights before filing an appeal.
Nearby Michigan Cities
Find police records in other Oakland County and metro Detroit cities below.