Find Highlands County Police Records

Police records in Highlands County are kept by the Sheriff's Office in Sebring. This central Florida county has about 106,000 residents. The sheriff provides law enforcement for the entire county, including Sebring, Avon Park, Lake Placid, and surrounding communities. All incident reports, arrest records, and booking logs are maintained at the main office. Public access to these records follows Florida's open government laws, making most police documents available to anyone who requests them.

Highlands County Sheriff's Office

The Highlands County Sheriff's Office operates from Sebring on South Commerce Avenue. Deputies patrol the county, investigate crimes, serve warrants, and run the jail. All police reports created by deputies are stored at this location. The Records Division handles public records requests during business hours. You can walk in to request records or submit a written request by mail or email.

To request police records in Highlands County, call ahead to confirm which documents are available. Have the date, location, and names ready. If you were involved in the incident, bring your ID when you visit. Staff can help you fill out the request form and give you an estimate of how long it will take.

How to Request Police Records

Florida's public records law gives you the right to access most police records in Highlands County. Under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, you don't need to explain why you want records. Agencies must provide them within a reasonable time unless an exemption applies.

When you request records from Highlands County, include these details:

• Your full name and contact information
• Date and time of the incident
• Location where it happened
• Names of people involved
• Type of record you need (incident report, arrest record, crash report)
• Case or report number if you have it

The more specific you are, the faster staff can find your records in Highlands County. If you don't have all the details, they can still search by what you know. Be clear about the date range to help narrow the search.

For in-person requests, visit the sheriff's office in Sebring during business hours. Bring ID and incident details. Staff will help you fill out a request form. Simple requests often get processed the same day. More complex ones may take several business days in Highlands County.

Copy fees apply to paper records. Florida law allows up to 15 cents per page for single-sided copies and 20 cents for double-sided. Electronic records sent by email may be free. Certified copies cost more and require official seals. Ask for a fee estimate if you're requesting many pages in Highlands County.

Types of Police Records Available

Incident reports are the most common police records requested in Highlands County. These documents describe what happened when deputies responded to a call. They include the date, time, location, people involved, witness statements, and the deputy's observations. Most incident reports become public once the investigation is closed.

Arrest records show when someone was taken into custody by Highlands County deputies. The record lists the charges, arresting officer, and booking details. Booking logs from the county jail include mugshots, fingerprints, and bond amounts. These logs are updated regularly and available to the public unless sealed by a court.

Traffic crash reports in Highlands County can be ordered through the Florida state system. The Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website at www.flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports/ handles crash reports from all agencies. You pay a small fee and get the report by email. This works for crashes investigated by the sheriff or Florida Highway Patrol in Highlands County.

Police records in Highlands County typically include:

• Incident and offense reports
• Arrest reports and booking logs
• Traffic citations and warnings
• Crash reports and diagrams
• Case status and investigation updates
• Use of force reports
• Jail booking records and inmate info

Statewide Police Record Resources

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains criminal records for the entire state. FDLE's public records portal at fdle.justfoia.com/publicportal handles requests for state-level police documents. This is useful if you need records from multiple agencies or statewide background information.

FDLE also processes criminal background checks for employment, licensing, and personal use. The fee is $24 per check in Florida. You submit fingerprints at approved vendors near Highlands County. Results take about one week by mail. Call FDLE at (850) 410-8161 for background check questions.

The Florida Highway Patrol patrols US 27 and other state roads through Highlands County. For serious crashes or incidents on these routes, FHP may be the investigating agency. Contact them at www.flhsmv.gov/florida-highway-patrol/contact-fhp/ to request reports from Highlands County.

Florida Public Records Law

Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes governs public records access in Highlands County. This law requires agencies to provide records unless a specific exemption applies. Most police records are public once the case is closed. Exemptions include active investigations, confidential informant identities, and sealed juvenile cases.

When you request records in Highlands County, the agency must respond promptly. They can charge for copying costs and staff time. If the request is complex, they may ask for a deposit. You have the right to inspect records for free before ordering copies.

If your request is denied in Highlands County, the agency must cite the statute that exempts those records. You can challenge denials through the courts. Most disputes get resolved through communication with the records custodian before litigation is needed.

Note: You don't need to be a party to an incident to request records in Highlands County.

Related Agencies in Highlands County

The Highlands County Clerk of Court maintains records for criminal and traffic cases that go through the court system. Their office is in the courthouse in Sebring. You can search case files, view charges and dispositions, and get certified copies. These records complement police reports when you need the full legal history of a case in Highlands County.

The Sebring Police Department handles law enforcement within the city limits of Sebring. For incidents within the city, contact their department directly. Records from city police are separate from the sheriff's records. Make sure you know which agency responded to your incident in Highlands County.

The Avon Park Police Department provides law enforcement for the city of Avon Park. Their records are maintained separately from the sheriff's office. For incidents within Avon Park city limits, contact their department for police records.

Nearby Counties

Highlands County shares borders with several central Florida counties. Check the exact location of your incident to make sure you contact the right agency. Each sheriff has jurisdiction only within their county.