Search Hillsdale County Police Records
Hillsdale County police records are public documents held by the Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office and local police agencies across the county. This guide covers how to find and request incident reports, arrest records, jail records, and accident reports in Hillsdale County, Michigan, whether you prefer to search online, visit in person, or send a written FOIA request.
Hillsdale County Police Records at a Glance
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office
The Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office is located at 165 W. Fayette Street, Hillsdale, MI 49242. You can reach them at (517) 437-7317. This office is the main keeper of county-level police records including incident reports, arrest records, accident reports, jail records, and firearm and CPL-related records. The county seat is Hillsdale, and the sheriff's office serves all unincorporated areas as well as many townships that contract for patrol services.
The county operates two websites. The primary site is co.hillsdale.mi.us and an alternate address is hillsdalecounty.gov. Both link to department pages including the Sheriff's Office. The office also provides special services beyond standard records: fingerprinting and background checks, gun registration assistance, concealed pistol license applications, and animal control information. If you need a press release about a recent incident, the county also distributes these through a mobile app.
The Hillsdale County site at co.hillsdale.mi.us lists all county departments and provides the starting point for police records, FOIA forms, and Sheriff's Office contact details.
The Hillsdale County online FOIA portal at hillsdalecountymi.justfoia.com allows you to submit requests electronically, track their status, and receive records without visiting in person. This is often the fastest path for straightforward records requests.
How to Request Hillsdale County Police Records
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL § 15.231 et seq. gives every person the right to request records from government agencies. Public Act 442 of 1976 enacted this law. It covers police reports, arrest records, dispatch logs, and other law enforcement documents. No reason is needed. Anyone can file, regardless of where they live.
Hillsdale County offers four ways to submit a FOIA request. The easiest is the online portal at hillsdalecountymi.justfoia.com/publicportal. You can also download and complete the FOIA Request for Public Records form from the county website and submit it in person at the Sheriff's Office, by mail to 165 W. Fayette Street, Hillsdale, MI 49242, or by email through the portal. Whichever method you choose, write a clear description of the records you want. Include the date, names, and any incident or case number you have.
Once your request is received, the agency has 5 business days to respond under MCL § 15.235. Fax and email submissions are treated as received on the next business day. The office can extend this by up to 10 additional business days if the request is complex. They must notify you in writing of any extension and give a reason. If you believe the denial is wrong, you have 180 days to file a written appeal with the Hillsdale County Board of Commissioners.
Note: The FOIA form available on the county website is a fillable PDF, which makes it easy to complete and save before submitting.
Types of Police Records in Hillsdale County
The Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office keeps a range of police records. Incident reports document what happened when an officer responded to a call. Arrest records show who was booked, what charges were filed, and when the person was released. Jail records track people currently or recently held at the county facility. Accident reports, filed on the standard Michigan UD-10 form, cover vehicle crashes investigated by the sheriff's office.
Other records the office handles include firearm sales records, gun registration documents, and records related to concealed pistol license applications. Civil process records, such as served court documents and restraining orders, are also available through a formal FOIA request. For records from city or township police departments within Hillsdale County, contact those agencies directly since each department keeps its own files.
Police Record Fees in Hillsdale County
Under MCL § 15.234, Hillsdale County follows Michigan's standard fee schedule. Paper copies cost $0.10 per page. Labor is charged at the hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee qualified to handle the request, plus up to 50% for fringe benefits. Labor is charged in 15-minute increments, and no fee applies for searches under 15 minutes. Non-standard copies, such as digital files, are charged at actual cost.
If the estimated cost exceeds $50, the office may ask for a 50% deposit before it starts. If you did not pay for a prior request, full payment may be required upfront. Low-income requesters can get the first $20 waived with a notarized affidavit showing they receive public assistance or cannot pay. This waiver is available twice per calendar year and cannot be used if you are requesting records on behalf of a paying third party.
Michigan State Databases for Hillsdale County
Several state tools let you search criminal and police records tied to Hillsdale County. ICHAT, the Internet Criminal History Access Tool, is run by the Michigan State Police and covers felonies and serious misdemeanors from all Michigan counties. The fee is $10 per search. Access it at michigan.gov/msp/services/ichat. ICHAT does not include traffic or juvenile records.
The Michigan Courts Case Search is free and covers district and circuit court records across the state. For Hillsdale County, the 1st Circuit Court handles felonies, and the 2B District Court covers misdemeanors and traffic offenses. Search by name or case number to find charges, hearing dates, and outcomes.
For sex offender information, the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry at mipsor.state.mi.us is free and searchable by name, county, or address. State prison and parole records appear in the OTIS database at mdocweb.state.mi.us/OTIS2/otis2.aspx. If you have a question about a FOIA denial or fee dispute, the Michigan Attorney General provides guidance at michigan.gov/ag/foia.
When Records Can Be Withheld
MCL § 15.243 lists the exemptions that allow agencies to deny FOIA requests. The most common in police records is the active investigation exemption. If releasing a record would compromise a pending case, the agency can hold it until the investigation wraps up or charges are filed. Other exemptions cover personal privacy, such as Social Security numbers, home addresses in some situations, and medical data.
Records that identify confidential informants are withheld to protect their safety. Juvenile records are sealed under Michigan law and almost never released without a court order. Internal policy deliberation documents are also exempt. When the Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office denies a request, it must put the denial in writing and cite the exact MCL § 15.243 exemption. You can challenge that denial through a written appeal to the county board, and if the court finds the denial was wrong, you may recover attorney fees.
Nearby Counties
Hillsdale County sits in the southern part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The counties below border Hillsdale and each maintain separate records.