Find Police Records in Alpena County
Alpena County police records are maintained by both the Alpena County Sheriff's Office and the Alpena City Police Department, depending on where the incident occurred. These records include incident reports, arrest records, accident reports, jail records, and warrant information. You can request Alpena County police records by filing a written FOIA request with the sheriff, the city police, or the county clerk's office in Alpena, Michigan.
Alpena County Police Records at a Glance
Alpena County Police Records Overview
Police records in Alpena County are generated by two main agencies: the Alpena County Sheriff's Office and the Alpena City Police Department. The sheriff's office at 320 Johnson St. handles calls across the unincorporated county, while the city police at 501 W. Chisholm Street covers incidents within Alpena city limits. If you are not sure which agency responded to the incident you are researching, check first with both offices or use the case number from any paperwork you received at the scene.
The sheriff's office maintains incident reports, arrest records, jail records, and warrant information for county incidents. Each incident report documents the date, time, and location of the call, the names of people involved, charges filed, and the responding deputy's narrative. Once a case is closed or charges are on file, the report becomes a public record. Records tied to open investigations are often withheld under MCL § 15.243.
The Alpena County Courthouse at 720 W Chisholm St. houses the circuit court clerk, who maintains court records for the county. Many of these records are searchable for free through the Michigan Courts Case Search tool. A public records terminal is also available at the courthouse for on-site lookups. Courthouse hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Sheriff and City Police Contact Information
Knowing which agency holds the records you need saves time. For county incidents, contact the sheriff. For city incidents in Alpena, contact the city police.
The Alpena County website at alpenacounty.org provides information on county offices and services, including guidance on public records requests. Start here if you are unsure which office handles the records you need.
The Alpena County Sheriff's Office is at 320 Johnson St., Alpena, MI 49707. Call (989) 354-9830 for records inquiries. The Alpena County Clerk handles FOIA coordination for county records and can be reached at (989) 354-9520. The clerk's address is 720 W. Chisholm Street, Alpena, MI 49707.
The Alpena City Police Department handles incidents within the city. Their office is at 501 W. Chisholm Street, Alpena, MI 49707, and their main number is (989) 354-1800. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For FOIA requests to city public safety records, email tracym@alpena.mi.us or erich@alpena.mi.us. For non-public-safety city records, contact the City Clerk at 208 N. First Avenue or call 989-354-1709. When emailing any FOIA request, put "FOIA" or "FOIA Request" in the subject line.
Note: Late responses from agencies carry a penalty under Michigan law: if the delay is willful or intentional, the labor portion of any fee is reduced by 5% per day late, up to 50%.
Requesting Alpena County Police Records via FOIA
Michigan FOIA, under MCL § 15.231 et seq. and Public Act 442 of 1976, gives any person the right to request public records from government agencies. You do not need to say why you want the records. MCL § 15.233 confirms there is no residency requirement. The law covers all public agencies in Michigan, including both the county sheriff and the city police department.
Write a FOIA request that clearly describes the record you want. Include the incident date, location, the names of people involved, and an incident or case number if available. Add your full name, address, phone number, and email for the agency to respond to you. Submit the request in person, by mail, or by email to the right office based on where the incident occurred. For county incidents, send it to the Alpena County Sheriff at 320 Johnson St. For city incidents, email or fax it to the Alpena City Police or City Clerk.
The agency has 5 business days to respond under MCL § 15.235. One extension of up to 10 additional business days is allowed with written notice. If your request is denied, you have 180 days to appeal. The appeal goes first to the head of the agency. If that fails, you can file in the circuit court. Courts can award attorney fees to requesters who prove a wrongful denial.
Fees for Alpena County Records
Both the county and city in Alpena follow Michigan's standard FOIA fee schedule under MCL § 15.234. Paper copies are $0.10 per page for standard sizes. Labor is billed at the lowest-paid capable employee's hourly rate, with up to 50% added for fringe benefits, calculated in 15-minute increments. Searches under 15 minutes carry no labor charge. Actual postage applies for mailed copies, using the least expensive delivery method. Digital delivery is free where the agency has the capability.
If the estimated cost tops $50, a 50% deposit may be required before work starts. Indigent requesters can submit an affidavit and get the first $20 waived. This waiver is available twice per calendar year and does not apply to requests made on behalf of paying third parties.
Nearby Counties
Alpena County is in northeast Michigan on Lake Huron. Records from nearby counties can be accessed through the links below.