Search Mishawaka Police Records

Mishawaka police records include incident reports, arrest logs, and other law enforcement documents created by the Mishawaka Police Department in St. Joseph County. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act gives any person the right to request these files without providing a reason. The Records Division can be reached at 574-258-1678. Requests are accepted in person and by mail. This page explains the request process, applicable fees, available record types, and how to use Indiana's statewide tools for criminal history, court records, crash reports, and more.

Mishawaka Police Department Contact

The Mishawaka Police Department is at 200 N. Church Street, Mishawaka, IN 46545. Call 574-258-1678 to reach the Records Division. The department is the primary law enforcement agency for the city, handling all patrol, criminal investigations, and records within Mishawaka's boundaries. Mishawaka is located in St. Joseph County directly adjacent to South Bend, with which it shares some services, though law enforcement is handled separately by each city's own department.

For records requests, go in person to 200 N. Church Street or send a written request by mail to the same address. Bring your photo ID for in-person visits. Give the Records Division as much detail as possible about the incident you're looking into. The date, the address or general location, and any case number you have will speed the search. If you are not sure which agency handled the incident, call Records at 574-258-1678 and ask. They can tell you whether the file is in their system or point you to another agency.

Mishawaka borders South Bend closely. Some incidents near the city line may fall under the South Bend Police Department's jurisdiction. If a record isn't found in Mishawaka's system, South Bend PD or the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office may have it. The St. Joseph County police records page has details on the sheriff's office and county resources.

The Mishawaka Police Department's official site at mishawaka.in.gov/police lists department contact information, news, and community programs.

From this page you can find the Records Division phone number, navigate to records-related sections, and read recent department press releases or public safety notices.

Submitting a Mishawaka Police Records Request

Your right to Mishawaka police records comes from IC 5-14-3, Indiana's Access to Public Records Act. You don't need to give a reason. The agency has 7 days to respond from when it receives your request. If more time is needed, they must notify you in writing. Silence counts as a denial.

Submit requests in person at 200 N. Church Street or by mail to the same address. Include your name, contact information, a description of the record you want, the incident date and location, and any case number you have. The department's records page includes guidance specific to Mishawaka.

The records section at mishawaka.in.gov/police/records explains what documents are available, how to submit a request, and what fees you can expect to pay.

Fees apply for copies. The department must estimate the cost before releasing records. Simple incident reports are typically low cost. Records that require redaction carry higher fees, and the agency must disclose the estimated amount before starting that work. If your request is denied, the denial must be in writing with the specific exemption from IC 5-14-3-4 named. Active investigation files and juvenile records are common exemptions. Challenge improper denials with the Indiana Public Access Counselor at in.gov/pac.

Crash Reports in Mishawaka

Traffic accident reports filed by Mishawaka police are in the Indiana State Police statewide crash database, accessible through BuyCrash.com. You need the crash date, report number if available, and the name of at least one person involved. Most reports appear in the system within a few business days. These reports are accepted by insurance companies and courts for claims and legal proceedings.

If Indiana State Police responded to the accident rather than Mishawaka officers, the report is still in BuyCrash since all Indiana law enforcement submits to the same repository. Crash reports are separate from general incident reports and only cover traffic accidents. For other types of incidents, go through the Records Division process described above.

Mishawaka Indiana Criminal History Search

The Indiana State Police offers a Limited Criminal History (LCH) search at in.gov/ai/appfiles/isp-lch. This tool covers felony and Class A misdemeanor records statewide, not just Mishawaka. The fee is $15.70 by credit card or $15 for subscriber accounts. Mail requests cost $7. Results show "ON FILE," "NOT ON FILE," or "NO RECORDS FOUND." Inconclusive results require a fingerprint-based check for a definitive answer.

The state criminal history system operates under IC 10-13-2. Under that law, agencies like Mishawaka PD report arrests and case dispositions to the state repository, and the LCH pulls from that data. A search may come back inconclusive if a case exists but the disposition was not yet reported. Pairing an LCH search with a MyCase court record search gives you the most complete picture of any given case.

The Indiana Criminal History Services portal shown below is where LCH searches are submitted.

This portal at in.gov allows you to submit a name-based search by credit card or subscriber account and typically returns results within minutes.

Mishawaka Court Records and Public Safety Resources

St. Joseph County court records are searchable on MyCase Indiana. The system is free and open to anyone, no account required. Search by name or case number to find case summaries, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions for cases in the St. Joseph Circuit and Superior Courts. MyCase covers courts statewide, so you can also check records from other counties if needed.

The Indiana Sex Offender Registry allows you to search by name, county, or zip code for registered sex offenders in Mishawaka or anywhere in Indiana. The Indiana Protection Order Registry shows active protective orders issued by Indiana courts, searchable by name. Both tools are free and public.

To submit an APRA request to the Indiana State Police rather than local agencies, use the ISP APRA portal. This online system handles requests for ISP trooper reports and state-level records. You can track the status of your request through the portal. The same 7-day APRA deadline applies to ISP as to city police.

Mishawaka Body Camera Records and Exemptions

Body camera footage from Mishawaka officers is subject to IC 5-14-3-5.1. To request footage, you must identify it by date, approximate time, location, and the name of at least one non-officer involved. Departments must retain recordings for at least 190 days from the date of capture, or longer when the footage relates to a complaint or use-of-force review.

Footage may be withheld or partially redacted if it would jeopardize an open investigation, compromise a fair trial, or reveal a protected identity such as a juvenile or confidential informant. When only part of a recording is exempt, the department must release the non-exempt portion rather than deny the whole request. Agencies must disclose the cost of redaction work before starting, and they can charge for that time. If you receive a denial you believe is improper, contact the Indiana Public Access Counselor at in.gov/pac for a review at no cost.

Investigatory records from active criminal cases are exempt under IC 5-14-3-4(b)(1). Once a case closes, that material generally becomes public. You can ask the department whether a case is still active. If they say it is and you believe otherwise, the PAC can review the situation and issue an advisory opinion.

Nearby Cities

Other Indiana cities near Mishawaka with public records resources: