Putnam County Police Records

Putnam County police records are managed by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office in Eatonton, Georgia. Sheriff Howard Sills oversees all law enforcement operations and records for the county. The sheriff's office keeps incident reports, arrest records, accident reports, and other law enforcement files that the public can request. Putnam County is located in central Georgia near Lake Oconee, and the sheriff's office is the primary point of contact for anyone seeking police records from this area. Open records requests go through the sheriff's office on a regular basis.

Putnam County Sheriff's Office Records

Sheriff Howard Sills leads the Putnam County Sheriff's Office from PO Box 3637, Eatonton, GA 31024. The main phone line is (706) 485-8557. The office handles calls during regular weekday business hours. Sheriff Sills has served Putnam County for many years and the department processes a steady flow of open records requests from the public, attorneys, and insurance companies.

To request police records from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, you can visit in person, call, or send a written request. Include the date of the incident, names of people involved, and the kind of report you need. A case or report number makes the search go faster. Staff will check what records exist and tell you about any fees. Written requests are a good idea because they create a clear record of what you asked for and when.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety runs the EPORTS online portal for State Patrol reports in Putnam County.

If the State Patrol handled an incident in Putnam County, use the EPORTS system instead of calling the sheriff's office. Reports through EPORTS cost $5 and are typically available within a few business days after the request is placed.

Note: The Eatonton Police Department handles incident reports within city limits, so verify which agency responded before you submit a request.

Georgia Open Records Act

Every police record in Putnam County falls under Georgia's Open Records Act. O.C.G.A. 50-18-70 requires all public records to be open for inspection and copying. This applies to every government office in the county, including the sheriff's office and any city police departments. The law covers paper documents, digital files, photos, video, audio, and any other format used to store records. You do not need to live in Putnam County or Georgia to file a request.

Putnam County agencies have three business days to respond. Under O.C.G.A. 50-18-71, they must acknowledge your request within that time and give you a status update. They are not required to produce the actual records in three days, but they do need to tell you what they have, what it costs, and roughly when you can expect to get the files. Simple requests often get filled right away. Larger requests take more time, and the agency will provide a timeline.

Fees follow state rules. Copies are $0.10 per page. The first 15 minutes of search and retrieval time cost nothing. After that, the agency charges based on the hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee who can handle the search. If the estimated total goes above $25, the agency must let you know before they start working on the request.

Putnam County Accident Reports

Crash reports written by Putnam County deputies are on file at the sheriff's office. Call (706) 485-8557 to ask about a specific report. You will need the date, location, and names of the people in the crash. Most Georgia agencies charge about $5 for a crash report copy. People who were in the accident can get their copy without any extra requirements.

State Patrol crash reports from Putnam County are available through EPORTS. The cost is $5 per report. You make the request online and get notified by email when the file is ready to download. The BuyCrash portal is also worth checking. Some agencies in Georgia upload their crash reports there for online purchase, which saves a trip to the office.

Under O.C.G.A. 50-18-72, someone who was not a party to the accident may need to submit a written statement explaining their need for the report. This protects the privacy of people involved in crashes. If you were in the accident, you can get the report without that extra step.

Note: Lake Oconee area crashes may involve multiple agencies, so check both the sheriff's office and State Patrol records if you are not sure who responded.

Criminal History Searches

Arrest records from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office cover each arrest made by a county deputy. Booking details, charges, and photos are part of the police record. These are public under Georgia law. Initial arrest reports are available even when a case is still under investigation.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation runs the Georgia Crime Information Center. This statewide database has criminal history records from all 159 Georgia counties. It goes much further than what a single county office holds. The Putnam County Clerk of Superior Court is another resource. The clerk keeps court records showing charges filed, plea agreements, trial outcomes, and sentences for cases that went through the Putnam County court system.

Police records and court records serve different purposes. The police record shows the arrest and the officer's account of what happened. The court record shows the legal process that followed. You may need records from both sources to get a complete picture of a criminal case in Putnam County.

Requesting Putnam County Police Records

Visiting the sheriff's office is the quickest option. Bring your ID and information about the record you need. For straightforward requests, you may get copies that same day. The staff can tell you right then if the file exists and what the cost will be.

If you cannot visit in person, mail your request to PO Box 3637, Eatonton, GA 31024. Include your full name, mailing address, phone number, and a detailed description of the records you are looking for. Be specific about dates and names. The more detail in your request, the faster the staff can find it. Phone requests at (706) 485-8557 also work. Georgia law permits oral requests, but a written one offers better protection if any issues come up down the road.

The Georgia Sheriffs' Association maintains a statewide directory that includes contact information for every county sheriff in Georgia. It is useful for verifying addresses and phone numbers before sending in a request.

Public vs. Restricted Records

Most Putnam County police records are public. Initial incident reports and arrest reports are always open. Booking records, citations, 911 call logs, and crash reports from closed cases fall in the same category. Internal affairs files become public 10 days after they are submitted to the head of the agency.

Certain details get removed before records are released. Social Security numbers are always taken out. Parts of birth dates may be redacted. Home addresses and phone numbers of law enforcement officers are protected under Georgia law. Medical and financial information within police records can be blacked out. Records that could endanger someone or reveal a confidential informant may be withheld completely. Active investigation files can also be held back, though the initial reports stay public. When the case closes or litigation ends, the rest of the file becomes available.

Nearby Counties

For police records from counties near Putnam County, use the links below.