Iosco County Police Records
Iosco County police records are maintained by the Iosco County Sheriff's Office in Tawas City and local police agencies serving this northeast Michigan county along Lake Huron. This guide explains how to find and request incident reports, arrest records, accident reports, and jail records in Iosco County, Michigan, using FOIA requests, online state tools, and direct agency contact.
Iosco County Police Records at a Glance
Iosco County Sheriff's Office
The Iosco County Sheriff's Office is located at 428 W. Lake St., Tawas City, MI 48763. The phone number is (989) 362-6164. The fax is (989) 984-1103. The sheriff is Scott D. Frank, and you can email the office at sfrank@ioscocounty.org. The county website is at iosco.net, and the sheriff's office page is at iosco.net/sheriffs-office/. The office serves all unincorporated areas of Iosco County and provides law enforcement across a wide rural and lakeshore area.
Iosco County sits along the Au Sable River and Lake Huron shoreline. The sheriff's office patrols both land and water. Records available from the office include incident reports, arrest records, jail and bond records, accident reports, criminal records, and bond and fine information. City police departments such as the East Tawas and Tawas City police departments maintain their own records and should be contacted directly for incidents within city limits.
The Iosco County Sheriff's Office page at iosco.net/sheriffs-office/ lists contact details, office hours, and links to the FOIA request form. Start here when you need to reach the sheriff's office or download the correct form before submitting a records request.
How to Request Iosco County Police Records
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL § 15.231 et seq. gives any person the right to request public records from government agencies. No reason is needed. There is no residency requirement. Public Act 442 of 1976 enacted this law, and it covers all police reports, arrest records, dispatch logs, and other documents held by the Iosco County Sheriff's Office.
All FOIA requests must be in writing. The Iosco County Sheriff's Office has a FOIA request form available online as a PDF at iosco.net. Use it or write your own letter. Describe what you want clearly enough that staff can locate the records. Include your name, address, and contact information. Add the date, names involved, and any case or report number you have. Submit in person at 428 W. Lake St., Tawas City, MI 48763, by mail to the same address, by fax to (989) 984-1103, or by email to sfrank@ioscocounty.org. Put "FOIA Request" in the subject line for email and fax submissions.
County administration at 422 W. Lake St., Tawas City, MI 48763 can be reached at (989) 362-3487 for questions about county-level FOIA procedures. Under MCL § 15.235, the agency has 5 business days to respond. Email and fax submissions are treated as received the next business day. An extension of up to 10 additional business days is allowed with written notice. Denials must cite the specific MCL § 15.243 exemption. You can appeal within 180 days to the Iosco County Board of Commissioners.
Note: Iosco County charges $25 for certain specific records. Ask for a fee estimate before submitting to confirm the total cost for your request type.
Iosco County Police Record Fees
Under MCL § 15.234, the standard copy fee is $0.10 per page for letter or legal size paper. Labor is charged at the hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee who can handle the task, plus up to 50% for fringe benefits, billed in 15-minute increments. No labor fee applies for searches under 15 minutes. Digital copies are charged at actual cost. Mailing fees are the least expensive delivery confirmation method.
For certain records, Iosco County charges a flat $25 fee. This may apply to specific report types rather than the standard per-page rate. Ask when you submit your request whether a flat fee applies to what you need. If the total estimated cost tops $50, the office can require a 50% deposit upfront. Low-income requesters can get a $20 indigency waiver with a notarized affidavit showing public assistance or financial hardship. This waiver applies twice per year and not for requests made on behalf of a paying third party.
Types of Records Available in Iosco County
The Iosco County Sheriff's Office holds several types of police records that are subject to public records law. Incident reports document calls for service where a deputy responded. Arrest records cover bookings, charges, and release information. Jail records track who is held at the county facility. Accident reports document crashes investigated by the sheriff's office and use the standard Michigan UD-10 form.
Criminal records and bond and fine information are also available through a FOIA request. Some records may be withheld under MCL § 15.243 if a case is still active or if other specific exemptions apply. Juvenile records are sealed. Records involving confidential informants are withheld to protect safety. When any request is denied, the agency must put the denial in writing and tell you which exemption it used.
State Tools for Iosco County Police Records
Several Michigan state databases let you search records connected to Iosco County. ICHAT, run by the Michigan State Police, covers statewide felony and serious misdemeanor criminal history. The fee is $10 per search at michigan.gov/msp/services/ichat. ICHAT does not cover traffic or juvenile records.
Court records for Iosco County appear in the free Michigan Courts Case Search. The 23rd Circuit Court handles felony cases, and the 81st District Court covers misdemeanors and traffic matters. The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry at mipsor.state.mi.us is free and searchable by name or location. State prison and parole information appears in the OTIS database at mdocweb.state.mi.us/OTIS2/otis2.aspx. For FOIA dispute guidance, the Michigan Attorney General's office has resources at michigan.gov/ag/foia.
Nearby Counties
Iosco County is in northeast Michigan. These neighboring counties each maintain their own sheriff's office and police records.