Search Atkinson County Police Records

Police records in Atkinson County are managed by the Atkinson County Sheriff's Office, based in the city of Pearson. Sheriff David Moore oversees the department and its records division. Residents can request incident reports, arrest records, and other police documents by contacting the office directly. Atkinson County is a small, rural county in south-central Georgia, and the sheriff's office is the primary law enforcement agency that keeps these files. All records requests follow the Georgia Open Records Act, which spells out how and when you can get copies of police reports.

Atkinson County Sheriff's Office Contact

The Atkinson County Sheriff's Office is the place to go for police records in the county. Sheriff David Moore runs the office out of Pearson. The mailing address is a PO Box, so plan to call ahead if you want to visit in person. Phone is the best way to reach the office for most people. Staff can tell you what records are on file and walk you through the steps to get copies.

Atkinson County does not have a website with an online portal for records requests. That means you will need to call or write to the office. Some small counties in Georgia work this way. It takes a bit more effort, but the same state laws apply. You have the same right to records here as you do in larger counties with online systems. The phone number above is your best starting point.

The Atkinson County Sheriff's Office does not have a dedicated online portal, so you can use the Georgia DPS EPORTS system for any State Patrol reports filed in the county.

How to Request Atkinson County Police Reports

To get police records from the Atkinson County Sheriff's Office, start by calling (912) 422-3611. Tell the staff what record you need. Give them a date, a name, or a case number if you have one. The more details you share, the easier it is for them to find the file. You can also send a written request by mail to PO Box 157, Pearson, GA 31642. Include your full name, phone number, and a clear description of the records you want.

Georgia law under O.C.G.A. 50-18-70 gives the public the right to inspect and copy records held by any government agency. That covers the sheriff's office in Atkinson County. You do not need to give a reason for your request. The law does not require you to explain why you want the records. You just need to describe what you are looking for well enough that staff can find it. Written requests are better than verbal ones because they create a paper trail if you ever need to follow up or challenge a denial.

Once you submit your request, the office has three business days to respond. That is the rule under O.C.G.A. 50-18-71. They might have the records ready sooner, or they might need more time. If it will take longer, they have to tell you when to expect the rest. For a small office like Atkinson County, simple requests are often handled pretty fast.

Note: You do not need to be an Atkinson County resident to request police records from the sheriff's office.

Atkinson County Records Fees and Costs

Fees for police records in Atkinson County follow state guidelines. Copies cost $0.10 per page. That is the standard rate across Georgia for most agencies. If the search takes longer than 15 minutes, the office can charge a fee based on the hourly rate of the staff member who does the work. The first 15 minutes of search time are free under the Georgia Open Records Act. If the total bill will go over $25, the sheriff's office must notify you first. You can then decide to go ahead, narrow your request, or cancel.

Accident reports are a special case. These cost $5 in many Georgia counties when you go through the state system. If a Georgia State Patrol trooper filed the report, you can use the EPORTS system to buy a copy online. If the Atkinson County Sheriff's Office deputy filed the crash report, you get it from the local office instead. Fees may vary for that. Ask when you call so there are no surprises.

Payment methods depend on the office. Small counties in Georgia sometimes only take cash or money orders. Call ahead to check what the Atkinson County Sheriff's Office accepts before making the trip to Pearson. Some agencies also accept checks made out to the county, but it is best to ask first.

What Police Records Are Public in Atkinson County

Georgia law is clear about what police records are open to the public. Initial incident reports are always public. Initial arrest reports are always public. These two types of records cannot be withheld, even if the case is still under investigation. That rule comes from O.C.G.A. 50-18-72 and it applies in every county across the state, Atkinson County included. Booking records and jail data are also generally public.

Some records can be held back, though. Investigation files tied to an active case may be exempt until the case closes. Records that could put someone in danger or reveal a confidential informant can also be withheld. The sheriff's office has to tell you which records are being held back and cite the specific law that allows the exemption. If you disagree with a denial, O.C.G.A. 50-18-73 lets you take the matter to court. A judge can order the records released if the denial was not justified.

Personal details get redacted before records are handed over. Social Security numbers come out. The day and month of a person's birth may be removed. Medical and financial info gets blacked out too. Home addresses and phone numbers of law enforcement officers are protected under Georgia law.

State-Level Records for Atkinson County

If the Georgia State Patrol responded to an incident in Atkinson County, the report goes through the state system, not the local sheriff's office. You can use the EPORTS portal to request crash reports, incident reports, and citations from the State Patrol. Reports cost $5 for crashes. Submit your request online and you will get an email when the record is ready to download.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation may also hold records for cases in Atkinson County. The GBI steps in when local agencies request help with major crimes. Their open records process is separate from the county. You can reach the GBI through their website to start a request. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association directory is another tool that can help you find the right agency contact in any county.

Nearby County Police Records

Atkinson County shares borders with several other counties in south Georgia. If an incident happened near a county line, the responding agency might be from a different county. Check with the right office to make sure you are looking in the right place for the records you need.