Vanderburgh County Police Records

Vanderburgh County police records are managed by the Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office and the Evansville Police Department. Evansville is the county seat and the largest city in southwestern Indiana, with a population of over 180,000. Incident reports, arrest logs, and public safety records can be requested from either agency in person, by mail, or through online systems. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act requires agencies to respond within 7 days.

Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office

The Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office serves as the main law enforcement agency for unincorporated Vanderburgh County. The office is located at 3500 N Harlan Ave, Evansville, IN. You can reach the sheriff's office at (812) 421-6200 for non-emergency matters. Dial 911 for emergencies. The sheriff's website is at vanderburghsheriff.org, where you can find contact information and records request resources.

The Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office provides online request forms and records tracking through their website. This makes the process easier for people who cannot visit in person. You can submit a request through the online system, track its status, and receive records electronically. The office also handles the county jail, which houses inmates awaiting trial or serving sentences for misdemeanor offenses.

The sheriff covers unincorporated areas of the county. For incidents within Evansville city limits, records are held by the Evansville Police Department, not the sheriff. Both agencies operate under the same state law framework and must follow the 7-day APRA response deadline.

Evansville Police Department Records

Evansville is the county seat and the primary city in Vanderburgh County. The Evansville Police Department handles all law enforcement within city limits and keeps its own records. If an incident took place in Evansville, you need to contact the EPD for the report, not the county sheriff. For more detailed information on Evansville police records, contact information, and the city's specific records request process, see the Evansville police records page.

The EPD and the county sheriff work together on many matters, including the county jail and multi-agency investigations. But their records systems are separate. Knowing which agency responded to a specific call determines where you go to get the report. The date and address of the incident will usually tell you which department you need.

How to Request Vanderburgh County Police Records

The Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office accepts records requests online through their website at vanderburghsheriff.org, in person at 3500 N Harlan Ave, or by calling (812) 421-6200. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (IC 5-14-3) gives any person the right to inspect and copy public records. You do not need to give a reason for your request.

When submitting a request, include the type of record, the date or date range, names of parties involved if known, and any case or report numbers you have. The online tracking system on the sheriff's website lets you follow the status of your request. The agency must respond within 7 days under state law. Failure to respond on time is treated as a denial.

Some records are withheld by law. Open investigation files, juvenile records, and certain personal data may not be released. If your request is denied, you will receive a written explanation citing the specific legal exemption. Contact the Indiana Public Access Counselor at in.gov/pac if you believe the denial was improper.

Note: For Evansville Police Department records specifically, contact EPD directly or visit the Evansville city website for their records request process.

Inmate Search and Arrest Records

The Vanderburgh County jail is operated by the sheriff's office. To check whether someone is in custody or was recently booked, call (812) 421-6200 or contact the jail directly. Staff can confirm booking status and basic details for people held at the facility.

VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) is free and available around the clock. Call 866-959-8463 to check an offender's custody status or register for automated alerts when a status changes. The service covers the Vanderburgh County jail as well as all Indiana facilities.

Court records for criminal cases in Vanderburgh County are searchable at no cost through MyCase Indiana. You can look up case numbers, charges, hearing dates, and final outcomes without creating an account. The Vanderburgh County courts include both Circuit and Superior courts.

State-Level Resources for Vanderburgh County

Indiana's statewide databases can extend your search beyond local records. The Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History (LCH) portal provides name-based searches of felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests from all 92 Indiana counties. The fee is $15.70 by credit card online or $7 by mail. Results come back as "ON FILE," "NOT ON FILE (INCONCLUSIVE)," or "NO RECORDS FOUND." The LCH does not include out-of-state history.

The Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry is free and searchable by name, county, or address. It is maintained by the Indiana Department of Correction and includes photos and current addresses. Active protection orders are listed in the Indiana Protection Order Registry, also free. Crash reports from Vanderburgh County are available through BuyCrash.com for a small per-report fee.

Cities in Vanderburgh County

Evansville is the only qualifying city in Vanderburgh County with its own police records page.

Nearby Counties

Vanderburgh County is in southwestern Indiana along the Ohio River. Neighboring counties each have their own sheriff and records systems.