Crawford County Police Records

Crawford County police records are maintained by the Crawford County Sheriff's Office in Grayling, Michigan. These records cover incident reports, arrest records, accident reports, jail data, and dispatch records for the county's townships and rural areas. The City of Grayling has its own police department with separate records. This guide walks you through how to request Crawford County police records, who to contact, and what tools are available to search records at both the county and state level.

Crawford County Sheriff's Office

The Crawford County Sheriff's Office is at 200 W. Michigan Ave., Grayling, MI 49738. Sheriff Ryan Swope leads the department. Undersheriff Shawn Schnoor also handles administrative matters. The main phone line is (989) 348-4616, extension 214. For crime tips, the office uses a dedicated email at tips@crawfordsheriff.org. Regular office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Central dispatch runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be reached at (989) 348-6341. For fax communications, use (989) 348-6351. The sheriff's office page at crawfordco.org/offices-departments/sheriff provides department information, records access guidance, and contact details. The county website at crawfordco.org is the main hub for all county services.

The Crawford County Sheriff's Office page at crawfordco.org lists department contact information, records procedures, and links to FOIA resources. Start there when you need to request police records from the county.

How to Request Crawford County Police Records

Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL § 15.231 gives everyone the right to request public records from the Crawford County Sheriff's Office. You do not need a reason. There is no residency requirement. The law covers police incident reports, arrest records, accident reports, jail records, and dispatch logs created by county law enforcement agencies.

Submit a written FOIA request to the sheriff's office. Contact them in advance to get the name of the current FOIA coordinator, as this can change over time. You can submit requests in person at 200 W. Michigan Ave. during business hours, by mail to the same address, or by email through the county website. Include the type of record, the date or date range, any names involved, and a case number if you have one.

Under MCL § 15.235, the sheriff's office must respond within 5 business days. They may extend by up to 10 additional business days with written notice. If they deny your request, they must state in writing which exemption under MCL § 15.243 applies. Common reasons for denial include active investigation status, personal privacy, and informant protection. You have 180 days to appeal a denial to the agency head.

The Crawford County website at crawfordco.org is the starting point for all public records requests, including those for police records and FOIA submissions to the sheriff's department.

Grayling City Police Department Records

The City of Grayling has its own police department that maintains records separate from the county sheriff. Grayling PD can be reached at (989) 348-4621. If the incident you are researching occurred inside Grayling city limits, contact the city police department directly. They handle their own FOIA requests for police incident reports, arrest records, and accident reports within the city.

When you are not sure which agency handled a case, call the county sheriff's office. They can tell you whether the incident was handled by the county, city, or the Michigan State Police. The MSP also has a presence in the area and handles some cases in Crawford County, particularly on state highways and in forested areas.

Fees for Crawford County Police Records

Under MCL § 15.234, standard paper copies cost $0.10 per page. Labor is charged at the hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee who can process the request. Labor is billed in 15-minute increments, and searches under 15 minutes are free. If the estimated cost exceeds $50, the agency may require a 50% deposit before beginning work.

Indigent requesters can apply for a fee waiver covering the first $20. Submit an affidavit with your request showing you receive public assistance or cannot afford to pay. This waiver is available up to twice per year per requester. Payment is typically accepted by cash, check, or money order. Contact the sheriff's office for current payment options.

Statewide Tools for Crawford County Records

ICHAT, run by the Michigan State Police, provides statewide criminal history records for $10 per search at michigan.gov/msp/services/ichat. It covers felonies and serious misdemeanors from all 83 counties including Crawford. ICHAT does not include juvenile records, traffic offenses, or records from other states. It is a good first step when you need a general background check.

For accident reports filed through the state system, use the Michigan Traffic Crash Purchasing System. The Michigan Courts Case Search is free and covers Crawford County district and circuit court records by name or case number. The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry at mipsor.state.mi.us is searchable by name, county, or address at no cost.

Nearby Counties

Crawford County is in the northern Lower Peninsula and borders several other counties with their own sheriff offices and records processes.