Clarke County Police Records

Police records in Clarke County are handled by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department. Clarke County and the City of Athens merged into a single consolidated government in 1991, so there is one unified police force for the entire county. This makes finding records straightforward since all reports go through one agency. The police department maintains incident reports, arrest records, crash reports, and booking data for the whole county. Residents and the general public can request copies of these records under the Georgia Open Records Act.

Athens-Clarke County Police Department

Sheriff John Williams serves Clarke County. The sheriff's office is at 325 E Washington Street, Suite 100, Athens, GA 30601. You can reach them at (706) 613-3250. Under the consolidated government, the sheriff's office handles courthouse security, civil process, and the county jail. The Athens-Clarke County Police Department handles the day-to-day law enforcement and generates most of the police records you would be looking for.

Because Athens and Clarke County operate as one government, you deal with a single set of agencies for records. The police department handles incident reports, arrest records, and patrol-related records. The sheriff's office handles jail records, booking data, and court-related functions. Knowing which office to contact saves time. If you want a copy of an incident or arrest report, start with the police department. If you need jail booking records, reach out to the sheriff's office.

Athens is home to the University of Georgia, which means the county has a large student population. That affects the volume and types of records the police department generates. Calls related to noise complaints, minor offenses, and traffic incidents are common, especially near campus. The university also has its own police department for calls on campus property. If an incident happened on UGA campus, you may need to contact the UGA Police Department instead of the Athens-Clarke County Police.

How to Get Clarke County Police Records

Georgia law under O.C.G.A. 50-18-70 gives the public the right to inspect and copy government records. That includes police records held by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and the sheriff's office. You do not need to give a reason for your request. Just describe what you want clearly. A case number, date, name, or location will help staff locate the right file quickly.

You can make your request in person, by phone, by email, or by mail. Written requests are recommended because they document what you asked for and when you asked. The agency must respond within three business days under O.C.G.A. 50-18-71. The response can be the records themselves, a cost estimate, or a timeline for when the records will be available. Athens-Clarke County Police have a records division that handles these requests regularly, so the process is well established.

For in-person requests, visit the police department or the sheriff's office depending on what you need. Bring a photo ID. Be ready to pay fees at the time of pickup. If you submit by email, include as much detail as you can about the records you want. The more specific your request, the faster the turnaround.

Clarke County Records Fees and Costs

Copy fees follow state law. Standard paper copies are $0.10 per page. The first 15 minutes of search and retrieval time are free. After that, the agency can charge based on the hourly wage of the lowest-paid employee who can handle the task. If total fees will exceed $25, the agency must notify you before proceeding so you can agree, adjust your request, or cancel.

You have the right to inspect records in person at no charge. This is a smart move if you are not sure exactly which pages you need. Go in, look at the file, and then ask for copies of only the relevant pages. There is no fee for looking at records. The fee only kicks in when you ask for copies or when staff spend time searching for and pulling records on your behalf.

Note: The Athens-Clarke County consolidated government has a well-organized records system, so most requests are processed efficiently.

Types of Police Reports in Clarke County

The Athens-Clarke County Police Department keeps several types of records. Incident reports document crimes, disturbances, and other calls for service. They include details like the date, time, location, responding officers, and a summary of what happened. Arrest records show who was taken into custody and what charges were filed. Accident reports cover vehicle crashes within the county. Booking records from the Clarke County jail are maintained by the sheriff's office.

Under O.C.G.A. 50-18-72, some records have restrictions. Initial incident reports and initial arrest reports are always available to the public. That applies even if the case is still open and under investigation. But the detailed investigation files can be held back until the case closes. Personal details like Social Security numbers and medical information are redacted from all copies. Juvenile records are sealed and not available through a standard request. The agency will tell you if any part of your requested record is exempt.

Accident reports in Clarke County follow the same rules as the rest of Georgia. If you were involved in the crash, you can get your report without extra steps. Third parties may need to show a valid reason for wanting someone else's crash report. Georgia law gives motor vehicle accident reports added privacy protection because of the personal and insurance details they contain.

State Resources for Clarke County

Several state tools can help you find police records tied to Clarke County. The EPORTS system run by the Georgia Department of Public Safety has crash reports filed by Georgia State Patrol troopers. If a trooper responded to a crash on one of the state routes through the county, the report ends up in EPORTS. You can search and buy those reports online.

The state EPORTS portal is a primary source for crash reports from the Georgia State Patrol throughout Clarke County and the rest of the state.

Use this portal to search for any crash report filed by a Georgia State Patrol trooper in Clarke County.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation handles records requests for cases where the GBI assisted local law enforcement. The BuyCrash portal lets you purchase accident reports from various agencies. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association website has a directory you can use to verify contact details for the Clarke County Sheriff's Office and other agencies statewide.

Cities in Clarke County

Under the consolidated government, Athens and Clarke County operate as one. There is no separate city police and county sheriff patrol division the way most Georgia counties work. The Athens-Clarke County Police Department handles all law enforcement for the county. That said, the small community of Winterville within Clarke County has its own municipal charter. For most purposes, though, you will deal with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department for records.

Athens is the county seat and the main population center. With close to 130,000 residents, it is the largest city in the county by far. All police records for Athens go through the consolidated police department. If you need a record from within Athens city limits, contact the Athens-Clarke County Police Department rather than the sheriff's office.

Nearby County Police Records

Clarke County is surrounded by several other counties in northeast Georgia. If an incident took place near a county border, the report may be with a neighboring agency. Check with the right county to find your record.