Gladwin County Police Records
Gladwin County police records are maintained by the Gladwin County Sheriff's Office in Gladwin, Michigan. These records include incident reports, arrest records, jail and inmate data, accident reports, criminal records, and civil process records. Gladwin County is in central Michigan, east of Clare County. The sheriff's office has limited lobby hours, so knowing the schedule before you visit is important. This page explains how to request Gladwin County police records and what tools are available for your search.
Gladwin County Records at a Glance
Gladwin County Sheriff's Office
The Gladwin County Sheriff's Office is at 501 West Cedar Avenue, Gladwin, MI 48624. Sheriff Michael Shea leads the department. Undersheriff Raymond Hartwell handles administrative matters. Lieutenant Troy Rabidue oversees patrol operations. Jail administration is the responsibility of Matthew McGourty. The sheriff's office main line is (989) 426-9284. The jail can be reached separately at (989) 426-7121. For fax communications, use (989) 426-1173.
The county website at gladwincounty-mi.gov links to the sheriff's office page and FOIA information. The sheriff's office page at gladwincounty-mi.gov/departments/sheriffs-office covers contact information, department services, and records access. Note that access to the county website has been reported as intermittent, so call ahead if you have trouble reaching it online.
The FOIA Coordinator for Gladwin County was listed as Laura Brandon-Maveal. FOIA requests can be submitted by mail to: Attn: FOIA Coordinator, 401 West Cedar Avenue, Gladwin, MI 48624. Written requests are also accepted in person, by fax, or by email to the county's FOIA contact address. Check the county website for the current email address, as this may change over time.
The Michigan State Police website at michigan.gov/msp provides access to ICHAT, the FOIA portal for MSP records, and the Traffic Crash Purchasing System. Use it for state-level records related to Gladwin County incidents investigated by the MSP.
Sheriff's Office Lobby Hours
The Gladwin County Sheriff's Office lobby has limited public hours. The lobby is open on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 AM to 11 AM and from 1 PM to 3 PM. It is closed on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. These are the hours for in-person records requests and other walk-in services. If you plan to visit in person, arrive during these windows to avoid a wasted trip.
For matters outside lobby hours, the sheriff's office non-emergency line at (989) 426-9284 is the right contact. Mail submissions go to 501 West Cedar Avenue, Gladwin, MI 48624. For FOIA submissions specifically, the mailing address is 401 West Cedar Avenue, Gladwin, MI 48624. Fax requests go to (989) 426-1173. These options let you submit records requests at any time without needing to appear in person during lobby hours.
Filing a FOIA Request for Gladwin County Police Records
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL § 15.231 et seq. gives everyone the right to request public records from the Gladwin County Sheriff's Office. No reason is required. There is no residency requirement. The law applies to incident reports, arrest records, jail data, accident reports, criminal records, and other documents created by county law enforcement.
Submit your written request to any county office or directly to the FOIA Coordinator. No specific form is required, but forms are available from the county if you prefer to use one. Include your full name and contact information, the type of records you need, the relevant date or date range, any names involved, and a case number if available. Send your request by mail, fax, or in person during lobby hours.
The FOIA Policies and Guidelines document at gladwincounty-mi.gov explains the full process including fee calculations, timelines, and exemptions. Under MCL § 15.235, the county must respond within 5 business days. An extension of up to 10 additional business days is allowed with written notice. Under MCL § 15.243, records tied to active investigations, personal privacy, or law enforcement techniques may be withheld.
Note: The Gladwin County Sheriff's Office lobby is only open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9-11 AM and 1-3 PM. Plan your in-person visit during those hours, or submit your request by mail or fax instead.
Fees for Gladwin County Police Records
Under MCL § 15.234, standard paper copies cost $0.10 per page. Labor is billed at the rate of the lowest-paid employee who can handle the request, in 15-minute increments. No labor charge applies to searches under 15 minutes. For requests estimated to exceed $50, a 50% deposit may be required in advance. The deposit is valid for 45 days.
Qualified indigent requesters can get the first $20 waived by submitting an affidavit with their request showing they receive public assistance or cannot afford to pay. This waiver is available up to twice per calendar year. Contact the FOIA Coordinator at the county address for a fee estimate on any complex request before submitting it.
Statewide Michigan Police Record Resources
ICHAT provides statewide criminal history for $10 at michigan.gov/msp/services/ichat. It covers felonies and serious misdemeanors from all 83 Michigan counties including Gladwin. Run by the Michigan State Police, it is a good tool for general background checks. Juvenile records and traffic offenses are not included.
The Michigan Courts Case Search is free and covers Gladwin County district and circuit court records. Search by name or case number to see charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry at mipsor.state.mi.us is free and searchable by name or location. For people in state prison or on parole, OTIS at mdocweb.state.mi.us covers the Michigan Department of Corrections. Gladwin County jail records are separate and available from the sheriff at (989) 426-7121.
Nearby Counties
Gladwin County is in central Michigan and borders several counties, each with its own sheriff and records system.