Holmes County Police Reports and Records

Police records in Holmes County are maintained by the Sheriff's Office in Bonifay. This rural Panhandle county has about 20,000 residents. The sheriff provides law enforcement for the entire county, including Bonifay, Westville, Ponce de Leon, and Esto. All incident reports, arrest records, and booking logs are kept at the main office. Public access to these records follows Florida's open government laws.

Holmes County Sheriff's Office

The Holmes County Sheriff's Office operates from Bonifay on North Highway 79. 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.

To request police records in Holmes County, you can visit in person, call, or send a written request by mail or email. Walk-in service is available during business hours at the main office in Bonifay. Staff can help you identify what records exist and process your request. Bring ID and case details if you have them.

For written requests, include your name, contact info, and a description of the records you want. The sheriff's office has 15 business days to respond under Florida law. Simple requests often get processed faster than complex ones in Holmes County.

How to Request Police Records

Getting police records from Holmes County is straightforward. Start by gathering details about the incident. Know the date, location, and names of people involved. If you have a case number, that helps too. The more info you provide, the faster staff can find your records.

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

What to include when requesting records in Holmes County:

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

For in-person requests, visit the sheriff's office in Bonifay 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 Holmes County.

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

Types of Police Records Available

Incident reports are the most common police records requested in Holmes 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 Holmes 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 Holmes 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 Holmes County.

Court records related to criminal cases are kept by the Holmes County Clerk of Court. Their office is in the courthouse in Bonifay. 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 Holmes County.

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 Holmes County. Results take about one week by mail. Call FDLE at (850) 410-8161 for background check questions.

The Florida Highway Patrol patrols State Road 79 and Interstate 10 through Holmes 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 Holmes County.

Florida Public Records Law

Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes governs public records access in Holmes 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 Holmes 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 Holmes 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: Some records like body camera footage require additional review before release in Holmes County.

Nearby Counties

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