Dickinson County Police Records
Dickinson County police records are held by the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office in Iron Mountain, Michigan. These records include incident reports, arrest records, accident reports, jail data, warrant information, and criminal case files for the county and its communities. Dickinson County is in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, bordering Wisconsin. This page covers how to request police records from the Dickinson County Sheriff, what the process looks like under Michigan FOIA law, and what statewide tools are available to help your search.
Dickinson County Records at a Glance
Dickinson County Sheriff's Office
The Dickinson County Sheriff's Office is located at 300 E D St, Iron Mountain, MI 49801. The sheriff's office main line is (906) 774-6262. The fax number is (906) 774-6255. The county main line, which connects to the administrator's office and can route calls to the correct department, is (906) 774-0956. The county website at dickinsoncountymi.gov covers all county departments including the sheriff's office and links to records and FOIA information.
FOIA requests for Dickinson County police records go through the County Clerk's Office, not directly to the sheriff. This is different from some other Michigan counties where the sheriff handles FOIA internally. Contact the county clerk by phone at the main county line (906) 774-0956 to confirm the current FOIA coordinator and submission process. The clerk's office can direct you to the right form and the proper submission method for your records request.
The Dickinson County website at dickinsoncountymi.gov connects you to the sheriff's office, county clerk, and FOIA information. Start there to find the right contact and request process for police records.
How to Request Dickinson County Police Records
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL § 15.231 et seq. gives everyone the right to request public records. No reason is required. There is no residency requirement. The law covers police incident reports, arrest records, accident reports, jail records, warrant data, and other law enforcement documents created by county agencies.
Since FOIA for Dickinson County runs through the County Clerk's Office, start by calling (906) 774-0956 to confirm the current FOIA coordinator and the preferred submission method. You can typically submit requests in person at the county building, by mail to 300 E D St, Iron Mountain, MI 49801, by email through the county website, or by fax to (906) 774-6255 for sheriff-specific records. Provide the type of record, dates, names involved, and any case numbers you have.
Under MCL § 15.235, the agency must respond within 5 business days. They may extend by up to 10 additional business days with written notice. Under MCL § 15.243, active investigation files, personal privacy data, and law enforcement technique records may be withheld. If your request is denied, ask for the exemption in writing and appeal within 180 days.
Contact the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office at (906) 774-6262 for records division questions, or call the county main line at (906) 774-0956 to reach the County Clerk's FOIA coordinator for formal public records requests.
Note: In Dickinson County, FOIA requests for police records are processed through the County Clerk's Office rather than the Sheriff's Office directly. Confirm the current process with the county clerk before submitting your request.
Types of Police Records in Dickinson County
The Dickinson County Sheriff's Office creates and holds several types of police records. Incident reports document calls for service, investigations, and officer responses to events throughout the county. Arrest records show booking information, charges, and release details. Accident reports cover traffic crashes investigated by the sheriff's office or the Michigan State Police on county roads and highways.
Jail records show current and past inmate status for people held in the Dickinson County Jail. Warrant records indicate active warrants issued by the county courts. Criminal case files contain investigative documents for more complex matters. These records are maintained by the sheriff and accessible through the FOIA process once a case is closed or charges have been filed.
Fees for Dickinson County Police Records
Under MCL § 15.234, paper copies cost $0.10 per page. Labor is billed at the rate of the lowest-paid employee who can process the request, in 15-minute increments. Searches under 15 minutes are free. For large or complex requests estimated over $50, the county may require a 50% deposit in advance. This deposit is valid for 45 days.
Indigent requesters can apply for a fee waiver covering the first $20 by submitting an affidavit with their request. This waiver is available up to twice per calendar year. Electronic records may be available at actual media cost rather than per-page copy fees. Contact the county clerk's office for a fee estimate on any request before submitting it.
Statewide Tools for Dickinson County Records
The Michigan State Police ICHAT system provides statewide criminal history records for $10 per search at michigan.gov/msp/services/ichat. It covers felonies and serious misdemeanors from all 83 Michigan counties including Dickinson. ICHAT is the right tool when you need a general criminal background check rather than a specific incident report. Juvenile records, traffic infractions, and out-of-state records are not included.
The Michigan Courts Case Search covers Dickinson County district and circuit court records at no cost. Search by name or case number to find charges, hearing dates, and outcomes. The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry at mipsor.state.mi.us is free and covers the entire state including Dickinson County. For people in state prison or on parole, check OTIS at mdocweb.state.mi.us.
Nearby Counties
Dickinson County is in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and borders several other UP counties and Wisconsin.