Access Pooler Police Records

Pooler police records are kept by the Pooler Police Department, serving this fast-growing Chatham County city west of Savannah. With a population over 31,000, Pooler has become one of the larger cities in the Savannah metro area. The department files incident reports, arrest records, and accident reports for events within city limits. Under Georgia's open records laws, these police records are public and available to anyone who files a proper request. The process is simple and most reports can be obtained within a few business days.

Pooler Police Department

The Pooler Police Department handles all law enforcement within city limits. Officers patrol the area, respond to calls, investigate crimes, and file police reports for every incident they handle. The department's records section is where you go to request copies of incident reports, arrest records, and accident reports. Any report taken by a Pooler officer is maintained by this department.

The department is located on Highway 80. You can visit during business hours to make a records request in person. Staff handle walk-in requests regularly and can look up reports if you provide a case number, the date of the incident, or names of people involved. Phone calls to confirm availability or ask about the process are welcome. Having your details ready before you visit saves everyone time and gets you the police records you need faster.

Note: Pooler is in Chatham County near Savannah. If you are unsure whether the Pooler PD or the Chatham County Sheriff's Office handled an incident, call Pooler PD first and they can direct you to the right agency.

How to Get Pooler Police Records

Getting police records from Pooler follows the Georgia Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. 50-18-70. This law gives you the right to inspect and copy public records from any government agency in the state. The Pooler Police Department is covered by this law. You can request incident reports, arrest records, accident reports, and other police files without explaining why you want them. Just submit a request with enough detail to identify the records.

The department has three business days to respond once they receive your request, as required by O.C.G.A. 50-18-71. They will either provide the records, give you a cost estimate, or send a written denial citing the specific legal basis. The first 15 minutes of staff time for searching and retrieving records are free. After that, copies cost $0.10 per page. Most single police reports are just a few pages long and cost very little. If the total estimate goes over $25, the department will let you know before doing the work.

Written requests produce the best results. Include your name, phone number or email, the date of the incident, the location, any case numbers, and a description of what you need. You can submit in person, by mail to 100 SW Highway 80, Pooler, GA 31322, or by email if the department accepts electronic requests. In-person visits often get you the fastest results for simple police reports.

Pooler Accident Reports

Accident reports are some of the most requested police records in Pooler. The city sits along I-16 and US-80, and the growing population means more traffic and more crashes. When a Pooler officer responds to a traffic accident within city limits, that report is filed with and kept by the Pooler Police Department. You request it through the standard open records process.

If a Georgia State Patrol trooper responded to the crash instead, the report goes through the state system. The EPORTS portal is the online tool for purchasing State Patrol crash reports. Each one costs $5 and is emailed to you after payment. This is common for crashes on the interstate or state highways where a trooper was dispatched. The DPS Open Records Unit at openrecords@gsp.net or (404) 624-7591 can also help locate reports.

EPORTS covers crashes handled by the Georgia State Patrol. For accidents within Pooler city limits where a local officer responded, contact the Pooler Police Department directly for the report.

Open Records Law in Pooler

The Georgia Open Records Act is the legal framework for accessing police records in Pooler. Under this law, incident reports, arrest records, accident reports, and most other police department records are available to the public. The Pooler Police Department must comply with valid requests just like every other government agency in the state. The law is clear about this obligation.

Exemptions are spelled out in O.C.G.A. 50-18-72. Active investigation files are the primary exemption that affects police records. If releasing a report could compromise an ongoing case, the department can withhold it. However, initial incident reports and initial arrest reports remain public even during active investigations. You can always get the basic facts. The deeper investigative materials are what may be delayed until the case is closed or resolved. Denials must be in writing with the specific code section cited.

Note: Most routine police records requests in Pooler go through without any issues. The department processes these requests regularly and knows the requirements under state law.

Criminal Records and Court Records

Pooler police records document individual incidents. For a full criminal history search, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation operates the Georgia Crime Information Center with statewide criminal records. A GBI search covers all jurisdictions in the state, not just Pooler or Chatham County. This is the go-to source for a comprehensive criminal background check across Georgia.

Court records for cases originating in Pooler are handled through the Chatham County court system. The Clerk of Superior Court manages felony records. State Court and Magistrate Court handle other case types. Police records from the Pooler PD tell you what happened at the scene. Court records show the legal process that followed. Between the two, you can track a case from the initial police report through charges, trial, and sentencing or dismissal.

Chatham County Sheriff and Other Agencies

The Chatham County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement in unincorporated Chatham County and operates the county jail. For incidents outside Pooler city limits but within the county, the sheriff's office likely has the report. The Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department serves the broader Savannah metro area as well.

The Georgia Sheriffs' Association provides a directory of every sheriff's office in Georgia. It is a helpful tool when trying to figure out which agency has the police records you need in the Chatham County area or elsewhere in the state.

Chatham County Police Records

Pooler is in Chatham County. For police records outside city limits or for county-level law enforcement records, the Chatham County Sheriff's Office is the main contact. Our Chatham County page has full details on county police records resources, contact information, and the request process.

View Chatham County Police Records

Nearby Cities

These nearby cities in the Chatham County and coastal Georgia area have police records available through their local agencies.