Monroe County Police Records

Police records for Monroe County are managed by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office in Forsyth. Sheriff Brad Freeman heads the department. Monroe County is located in central Georgia along Interstate 75, and the sheriff's office is the primary county agency that handles law enforcement records. Incident reports, arrest records, crash reports, and other law enforcement documents are filed and stored at the sheriff's office. Forsyth sits roughly halfway between Atlanta and Macon, so the county sees a mix of local and highway-related incidents that generate police records on a regular basis.

Monroe County Sheriff's Office Details

Sheriff Brad Freeman leads the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. The office handles patrol, criminal investigations, court security, and records for the county. It sits on L. Cary Bittick Drive in Forsyth. Staff process records requests during business hours and can answer questions about what files the office has on hand.

Call (478) 994-7048 to start a records request. Tell staff what you need, and they will check the files. Provide a date, names, or a case number if you have them. The more detail you give, the faster they find your record. You can also walk into the office in Forsyth during regular hours.

The Georgia Sheriffs' Association lists contact info for all 159 county sheriffs in Georgia, including Monroe County.

Use the directory to verify current contact details or find info for other nearby counties.

Note: Forsyth has its own city police department. If the incident happened inside city limits, the Forsyth Police may hold the record instead of the sheriff's office.

Getting Police Records in Monroe County

You have three main options. Phone is the fastest. Call and describe the record you are looking for. Staff can often tell you right away whether they have it. For a written request, send a letter to 145 L. Cary Bittick Drive, Forsyth, GA 31029. Put your name, contact info, and a clear description of what you want in the letter. In-person visits are the third option. Go to the office and request the file directly.

The Georgia Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. 50-18-70 gives everyone the right to inspect and copy public records. You do not have to be a Monroe County resident. You do not need a reason. The law is broad and applies to all records held by the sheriff's office. Whether you want an incident report, an arrest record, or a crash report, the process is the same.

Written requests are worth doing even if they are not strictly required. They create a trail. If there is a delay or a dispute, you have proof of your request and when you made it. A short, clear letter is all you need. You do not have to use legal language or cite specific statutes, though you can if you want to.

Monroe County Response Deadlines

The law says three business days. O.C.G.A. 50-18-71 requires the Monroe County Sheriff's Office to respond within three business days of getting your request. The response can be the records themselves or a notice that the records are being prepared. Either satisfies the legal requirement.

Simple requests are usually fast. One report? You might get it the same day. Larger requests with multiple records or broad time frames take longer. The office may also need time to review files and black out protected details. Social Security numbers, medical info, and juvenile records are exempt and must be redacted before the records are released.

Monroe County sits along I-75, which means the sheriff's office handles a higher volume of incidents than some rural counties. This can affect turnaround time during busy periods. If you do not hear back in three days, call and ask for an update. If the office refuses to comply, O.C.G.A. 50-18-73 allows you to petition superior court for the records. Courts can also award legal fees if the agency is found in violation.

Types of Records at Monroe County

Incident reports are the most requested type. They document crimes, calls for service, and disturbances. Arrest records cover booking info, charges, and bond. Accident reports handle vehicle crashes. Citation records document traffic stops and code violations. All of these are kept at the sheriff's office.

Under O.C.G.A. 50-18-72, initial incident and arrest reports are always public. Even when a case is still open. Even when an investigation is ongoing. The first report filed must be released on request. The full investigation file can be withheld until the case closes, but the initial report stays public. This is an important right that applies across all Georgia counties.

Georgia State Patrol crash reports from incidents on I-75 or state highways in Monroe County go through the EPORTS system. Those reports cost $5 each. The BuyCrash portal from LexisNexis also hosts some crash reports from local agencies. Check both if you are looking for an accident report.

Note: I-75 runs through Monroe County, so a significant number of crash reports may be filed by the Georgia State Patrol rather than the sheriff's office.

Fees and Payment

Copies cost $0.10 per page. Viewing records in person is free. You only pay for the pages you take.

Search time is free for the first 15 minutes. After that, the office charges an hourly rate based on the wage of the lowest-paid person who can do the search. If the total cost will exceed $25, the office must tell you before they proceed. You get to decide whether to pay, adjust your request, or cancel.

Ask about payment methods when you call. Cash works. Checks and money orders are usually fine. Card payment availability depends on the office. Monroe County is larger than some of its neighbors, so the office may have more payment options, but it is still worth checking.

State Resources for Monroe County

The EPORTS system from the Georgia Department of Public Safety is the best online tool for State Patrol reports. If a trooper handled something in Monroe County, the report is there. You can also email the DPS Open Records Unit at openrecords@gsp.net.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation holds records for cases where GBI agents were involved. Major crimes or multi-agency investigations in Monroe County may have generated GBI records separate from the sheriff's files. The State Bar of Georgia can refer you to an attorney if you hit a roadblock with your records request.

Nearby County Police Records

Monroe County borders several other counties in central Georgia. An incident near a county boundary could have been handled by a different agency. If you cannot find your record at the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, try one of the neighboring counties listed below.