Schley County Police Records
Schley County police records are maintained by the Schley County Sheriff's Office in Ellaville, Georgia. Sheriff Scott Nelson runs the department and is responsible for all law enforcement records in the county. The sheriff's office keeps incident reports, arrest records, accident reports, and other files that the public can request. Schley County is a small rural county in central-west Georgia, and the sheriff's office is the only law enforcement agency handling records requests for the area outside of Ellaville city limits.
Schley County Police Records Facts
Schley County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff Scott Nelson leads the Schley County Sheriff's Office from PO Box 809, Ellaville, GA 31806. The phone number is (229) 937-2101. The office is open weekdays during regular business hours. Deputies patrol the county, respond to calls, and file the reports that become part of the public record. The department is small but handles all law enforcement for the unincorporated parts of Schley County.
To get police records, submit an open records request. You can go to the office in person, call, or send a written request by mail. Provide the date of the incident, names of people involved, and what type of report you need. If you have a case number, include it. Because Schley County is small, the staff can often locate files quickly. Written requests are still the best approach since they create a clear record of what was asked for and when the request was made.
The Georgia Department of Public Safety operates the EPORTS online portal for State Patrol reports in Schley County.
If a State Patrol trooper responded to an incident in Schley County, use EPORTS instead of the sheriff's office. Reports are $5 each and usually ready within a few business days after you submit the request online.
| Address | PO Box 809, Ellaville, GA 31806 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (229) 937-2101 |
| Sheriff | Scott Nelson |
Open Records in Schley County
Georgia's Open Records Act applies to every police record in Schley County. Under O.C.G.A. 50-18-70, public records must be open for inspection and copying. This covers the sheriff's office and any other government body in the county. Paper files, electronic records, photos, video, and any other storage format are included. You do not have to be a resident of Schley County or Georgia to make a request. The law is clear that anyone can ask.
Schley County agencies must respond within three business days. O.C.G.A. 50-18-71 requires them to acknowledge the request and let you know whether the records exist, what the cost will be, and when you can expect them. They do not have to produce the files in three days, but they cannot ignore you or put you off. Simple requests in a small county like Schley may get filled the same day you ask.
Copy fees are the same across the state. It costs $0.10 per page. The first 15 minutes of staff time for searching and pulling records are free. After that, the charge is based on the hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee who can handle the job. If the total bill exceeds $25, the agency must let you know and get your go-ahead before proceeding with the work.
Note: Schley County's small size usually means shorter wait times for records compared to larger metro-area counties.
Accident Reports
Crash reports from Schley County deputies are at the sheriff's office in Ellaville. Call (229) 937-2101 to ask about a specific report. Bring the date and location of the crash and the names of the people involved. Most crash reports in Georgia cost around $5 to copy. People who were in the crash can get their copy without extra requirements.
State Patrol crash reports from Schley County are available through the EPORTS system. Reports cost $5 and are typically ready in a few business days. You make the request online and get an email when the file is available for download. The BuyCrash website is another place to check. Some Georgia law enforcement agencies post their crash reports there for online purchase, which can save you a trip to the office.
Under O.C.G.A. 50-18-72, a person who was not in the crash may need to give a written statement explaining their need for the report. This protects the privacy of the people involved. Parties to the accident do not need to do this. Insurance companies and attorneys handle these requests on a regular basis.
Schley County Criminal Records
When a Schley County deputy makes an arrest, the booking information, charges, and photos go into the police record. These records are public under Georgia law. Initial arrest reports are available even during ongoing investigations. The sheriff's office is the place to request arrest records from the county.
A broader search can be done through the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The GBI runs the Georgia Crime Information Center, which holds records from every county in the state. This database goes much further than what Schley County keeps on its own. The Schley County Clerk of Superior Court is another resource. The clerk keeps court records showing charges filed, plea agreements, trial outcomes, and sentences for cases in the Schley County court system.
Police records and court records cover different ground. The police record shows the arrest and the officer's account. The court record shows the legal process after that. For the full story on a criminal matter in Schley County, you may need records from both the sheriff's office and the clerk of court.
How to Make a Request
The quickest way is to go to the sheriff's office in Ellaville in person. Bring your ID and information about the record. For a basic request, you might get copies on the spot. Staff in smaller offices like Schley County can often pull files right away if they are available.
You can mail your request to PO Box 809, Ellaville, GA 31806. Include your name, address, phone number, and a clear description of the records you want. Be specific about dates, names, and report types. The more detail you put in, the faster the staff can find the file. Phone requests at (229) 937-2101 are accepted too. Georgia law allows oral requests, but a written one is better protection for you if any issues come up.
The Georgia Sheriffs' Association has a directory that lists every county sheriff in Georgia, including Schley County. Use it to verify contact information before you reach out.
Note: The Ellaville Police Department handles reports for incidents inside city limits, so verify which agency responded before sending your request to the sheriff's office.
What Records Are Public
Most police records from Schley County are public. Initial incident reports and arrest reports are always open under Georgia law. Booking records, mug shots, citations, 911 call records, and crash reports from closed cases are all available. Internal affairs records become public 10 days after they are turned in to the head of the agency.
Some details are removed before records go out. Social Security numbers are always taken out. Birth dates may be partially blacked out. Home addresses and phone numbers of law enforcement officers are protected. Medical and financial information within police records can be redacted. Records that would put someone at risk or reveal a confidential source may be withheld. Active investigation files can be held back as well, though initial reports always stay public. Once the case closes or litigation ends, the rest of the file becomes available to the public.
Nearby Counties
For police records from counties around Schley County, follow these links.