Search Dearborn Police Blotter
Dearborn police blotter records include arrest logs, incident reports, crash data, and calls for service handled by the Dearborn Police Department in Wayne County. The department offers several ways to access these records, from an online transparency dashboard showing real-time data to formal FOIA requests for specific files. Dearborn is one of the larger cities in southeast Michigan, with about 106,000 residents and a police department that handles a substantial volume of calls each year.
Dearborn Overview
Dearborn Police Department
The Dearborn Police Department operates out of the city's main public safety building and serves all of Dearborn in Wayne County. It handles thousands of calls each year, ranging from traffic crashes and property crimes to violent incidents and arrests. The department maintains police blotter records and makes a significant portion of that data available through both online tools and formal records requests.
Dearborn has invested in a public-facing transparency dashboard that covers several categories of activity. It shows calls for service, citations issued, arrest counts, and traffic crashes. That dashboard is run through ARX Community and is accessible online without any account or registration.
| Department | Dearborn Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 16099 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI 48126 |
| FOIA Phone | (313) 943-2230 |
| FOIA Email | Police-FOIA@dearborn.gov |
| Records Website | dearborn.gov - Police Reports & Records |
| Transparency Dashboard | ARX Community - Dearborn PD |
For crash reports specifically, Dearborn uses the CLEMIS system. To get a crash report, you need the incident number or the driver's license number, date of birth, and crash date. CLEMIS reports are often available faster than full incident report requests and can be accessed without a formal FOIA submission in many cases.
How to Request Dearborn Police Blotter Records
Dearborn Police Department handles FOIA requests for police blotter records through its records division. You can reach them by phone at (313) 943-2230 or email at Police-FOIA@dearborn.gov. Written requests sent to 16099 Michigan Ave are also accepted. Be specific in your request. Name the type of record, the date or date range, and any case or incident numbers you have.
Some non-emergency incidents can be reported and accessed online. Dearborn's online reporting system allows self-reports for minor incidents where no suspect information is known. This does not cover stolen vehicles, stolen firearms, or stolen license plates. Those require an in-person report at the department. Online incident report numbers can later be used to follow up on records requests.
Under MCL 15.235, the Dearborn Police Department must respond to your FOIA request within 5 business days. They may extend that window by up to 10 business days for complex or voluminous requests. In practice, Dearborn responses can take 5 to 15 business days depending on the request. The department must tell you in writing if it needs more time.
Fees apply to most requests. Labor, copying, and mailing costs can all be charged. The department is required to give you an itemized estimate before processing a request that will cost more than $50. You can ask to narrow your request if the cost estimate is too high. Fee waivers are available for requests that serve a public benefit and where the requester cannot afford to pay.
Denials must cite the specific exemption under MCL 15.243. Common grounds for denial in police blotter cases include active investigation status, confidential informant information, and victim privacy in sensitive cases. If you receive a denial, you can appeal within the city. A final denial can be challenged in Wayne County Circuit Court under MCL 15.240.
Dearborn Crime Data and Online Tools
The ARX Community transparency dashboard is the most direct way to view Dearborn police blotter activity online without filing a formal request. The Dearborn PD dashboard breaks down data by categories including calls for service, arrests, citations, and traffic crashes. Crime mapping is also embedded in the portal, pulling from CrimeMapping.com data to show incident locations across the city.
CrimeMapping.com itself is another option. It maps recent crimes by type and lets you set up email alerts for specific areas. This is useful if you want to monitor police blotter activity near a home or business. The tool covers Dearborn and surrounding communities in Wayne County.
For criminal case outcomes tied to Dearborn arrests, the Michigan Courts case search tool covers Wayne County District and Circuit Court filings. You can look up cases by name or case number at courts.michigan.gov. Case records show charges, court dates, and how each case was resolved. This fills in what happens after a Dearborn arrest appears in the police blotter.
The Michigan State Police ICHAT system at apps.michigan.gov/ichat offers criminal history searches for individuals. ICHAT is not a police blotter, but it is a useful supplement if you are trying to research a person's overall record rather than a single incident. It covers convictions and some arrest data across all Michigan jurisdictions.
Dearborn's online FOIA request portal is accessible through the transparency dashboard. This lets you submit formal records requests electronically, which can speed up processing compared to mail or in-person submissions.
The Michigan FOIA Act governs how Dearborn handles all police blotter record requests, including exemptions and response timelines.
Understanding the FOIA Act helps Dearborn residents craft effective records requests and know their rights when a request is denied.
Your Rights Under Michigan FOIA
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, codified at MCL Act 442 of 1976, applies to the Dearborn Police Department just like every other public agency in the state. Under MCL 15.231, all residents have the right to inspect and receive copies of public records. This includes police blotter records, arrest logs, and incident reports that are not exempt under the law.
The act covers all public bodies, including city police departments. It does not matter whether you are a Dearborn resident or from somewhere else in Michigan. The right to request records applies broadly. You do not need to explain why you want a record or what you plan to do with it.
Exemptions exist but must be applied narrowly. Law enforcement agencies can withhold records tied to open investigations, records that identify confidential informants, or records that could endanger a person's safety. These exemptions are listed in MCL 15.243. The agency cannot use vague or general claims to deny a request. Each withheld record must be justified with a specific exemption.
Contact for FOIA: Dearborn Police Department records requests go to (313) 943-2230 or Police-FOIA@dearborn.gov. Include the type of record, a date range, and any relevant incident numbers in your request.
If your request is denied, the department must tell you in writing which exemption it is using and why it applies. You have the right to appeal that decision. First, appeal within the city. If the city upholds the denial, you can take the case to Wayne County Circuit Court. Courts can order disclosure if the denial was not valid, and successful appellants may recover attorney fees under MCL 15.240.