Okaloosa County Police Records
Okaloosa County police records come from the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. This agency handles law enforcement across most of the county. You can get incident reports, crash records, and arrest info from the sheriff. Cities with their own police departments keep separate records. Each agency follows Florida public records law. Most records become available to the public once investigations close. Some info stays protected by law.
Okaloosa County Quick Facts
Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office
The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office keeps most police records in the county. This includes arrest reports, crash data, and incident logs. The sheriff handles law enforcement in all areas outside city limits. Deputies respond to calls and make arrests throughout Okaloosa County. Records from these activities get filed at the main office in Shalimar.
You can request records online through the sheriff's website. The Records Division processes requests under Chapter 119 Florida Statutes. Staff will tell you if any info is exempt or confidential. Active criminal investigations stay closed until they finish. Contact the Records Division at (850) 651-7400 during business hours for help with your request.
The main sheriff's office is at 1250 Eglin Parkway North in Shalimar. They handle walk-in requests for police records. Bring your ID when you visit. Some records may take time to prepare. The agency charges fees for copies based on Florida law. Under Section 119.07, you pay up to 15 cents per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost up to $1 more per document.
| Address |
1250 Eglin Parkway North Shalimar, FL 32579 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (850) 651-7400 |
| Website | www.sheriff-okaloosa.org |
How to Get Police Records
Most people can get police records in Okaloosa County. Florida law says all records are public unless an exemption applies. Active cases stay closed. Info about victims of certain crimes is exempt. Details of ongoing investigations remain confidential. Once a case closes, most info becomes public.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement keeps statewide criminal history data. You can request background checks through their portal. This shows arrests and charges across Florida. FDLE charges fees for criminal history reports. Local records come from the sheriff or city police. For crash reports, use the Florida Crash Portal. Reports cost $10 each plus a service fee.
To request police records from Okaloosa County Sheriff, you can:
- Visit the main office in Shalimar during business hours
- Call the Records Division at (850) 651-7400
- Submit a request through the sheriff's website
- Send a written request by mail
Include the date of the incident, location, and names if you know them. Case numbers help staff find records faster. The agency must respond to your request promptly. They tell you when the records will be ready. If they deny your request, they must explain why under Florida law.
Note: Body camera video from inside a private home is confidential under Section 119.071 unless you give written consent.
Types of Police Records Available
Several types of police records exist in Okaloosa County. Incident reports show calls for service. Arrest reports detail who was arrested and why. Crash reports cover traffic accidents. Each type serves a different purpose. Not all info in these records is public.
Arrest records show the person's name, charge, date, and booking info. Mugshots are public unless the arrest is expunged. Incident reports list what happened, who was involved, and what action deputies took. These become public when investigations close. Under Section 119.071, some victim data gets redacted. Names of juveniles charged with crimes may be withheld depending on the offense.
Police records in Okaloosa County may include:
- Incident and offense reports
- Arrest records and booking info
- Traffic crash reports
- Calls for service logs
- Use of force reports
- Evidence logs and property receipts
Internal affairs records stay confidential while an investigation is active. Complaints against officers and investigation results become public 45 days after the complaint is filed if no finding has been made. This is set in Florida Statute 112.533. Willful disclosure of confidential complaint info before it becomes public is a crime.
Traffic Crash Reports in Okaloosa County
The Florida Highway Patrol handles crashes on state roads in Okaloosa County. Local law enforcement covers city streets and county roads. All crash reports go through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. These records are confidential for 60 days after the crash under Florida Statute 316.066. Only people involved, their lawyers, and insurance agents can get them during that time.
After 60 days, crash reports become public. You can buy them through the Florida Crash Portal for $10 per report plus a $2 convenience fee. The portal lets you search by crash date, driver name, or report number. Reports take up to 10 days to appear in the system after a crash. Once you buy a report, download it within 48 hours or it expires.
For FHP crash reports in Okaloosa County, you can also contact the local troop station. Requests for 10 or fewer reports may be filled at the troop office. Larger requests go to the state office in Tallahassee. Mail your request to FLHSMV Crash Records, 2900 Apalachee Parkway MS 28, Tallahassee FL 32399. Include a signed statement, case number or crash details, and payment. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks by mail.
Fees for Police Records
Florida law sets limits on what agencies can charge for public records. Standard copies cost up to 15 cents per single-sided page. Double-sided copies cost up to 20 cents per page. Certified copies add up to $1 more. The Okaloosa County Sheriff follows these fee caps.
If your request takes more than 15 minutes to fill or requires more than 20 pages, the agency can charge for staff time. This covers the employee's hourly rate for time spent finding, reviewing, and copying records. Special services like converting files to different formats may add costs. The agency must tell you the estimated cost before they start work.
Some records have set fees under state law:
- Traffic crash reports: $10.00 per report
- Criminal history checks from FDLE: Varies by request type
- Fingerprinting services: Set by local agency
You can pay by cash, check, money order, or credit card at most law enforcement offices. Online requests may require payment before records are released. Ask about payment options when you make your request in Okaloosa County.
City Police Departments
Some cities in Okaloosa County have their own police departments. These agencies keep separate records from the sheriff. If an incident happened in city limits, contact that city's police department. The sheriff handles unincorporated areas and cities without police departments.
Fort Walton Beach Police Department serves Fort Walton Beach. Crestview Police Department covers Crestview. Niceville Police Department handles Niceville. Each has its own records division. Some may use the same online portal as the sheriff. Others have different request procedures. Call the department that responded to the incident to find out how to get their records.
State records apply across all agencies. FDLE maintains statewide arrest data. The crash portal has reports from all departments. For local incident reports and case files, go directly to the agency that handled the call in Okaloosa County.
Legal Help and Resources
If you need help understanding police records or your rights, legal aid groups can assist. Three Rivers Legal Services covers northwest Florida including Okaloosa County. They help low-income residents with legal issues. Call their main office for intake information. The Florida Bar lawyer referral service can connect you with local attorneys.
The FDLE Office of Open Government provides guidance on public records law. They answer questions about what records are public and how to request them. Contact them at (850) 410-7676 or publicrecords@fdle.state.fl.us. Their website has sample request letters and information about exemptions.
For questions about your criminal record, contact FDLE Criminal History Records at (850) 410-8161. They can tell you what shows on your background check. If you want to seal or expunge a record, you must file a petition with the court. The clerk's office can provide forms and filing instructions.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Okaloosa County. Each has its own sheriff and police records system. Make sure you request from the right county based on where the incident occurred.