Search Herkimer County Police Records

Herkimer County police records are managed by the Sheriff's Office in the Village of Herkimer, in central New York along the Mohawk Valley. The sheriff provides law enforcement services across the county, and the Records Division handles all requests for police records. These include incident reports, arrest records, accident reports, jail records, and investigation files. This page covers the FOIL request process, fees, state databases, and other resources for finding police records in Herkimer County.

Herkimer County Sheriff's Office Records

The Herkimer County Sheriff's Office is at 320 N Main Street, Herkimer, NY 13350. The phone number is 315-866-2525. The Records Division handles all FOIL requests for police records. The office maintains incident reports, arrest logs, accident reports, jail booking records, and investigation files. The sheriff covers the unincorporated areas of the county and assists smaller villages.

FOIL requests can be submitted in writing or in person. If you visit the office, staff can help you fill out your request on the spot. For mail requests, send a letter clearly describing what you need. Include the date of the incident, the location, names of people involved, and the type of record. The Records Division processes all incoming requests and coordinates with patrol and investigation units to pull the right files.

Fees are $0.25 per page for copies. That is the standard set by the Public Officers Law. If your request requires more than two hours of staff time, the agency may charge the hourly wage of the lowest-paid employee who can handle the work. The office must respond within five business days. A denial must come with a written explanation of the exemption used.

Jail records are also available from the sheriff's office. If someone was booked into the Herkimer County Correctional Facility, the booking information and charges are part of the records the office maintains. These can be requested through the same FOIL process.

State Police Records in Herkimer County

The New York State Police patrol the New York State Thruway and state highways running through Herkimer County. If a state trooper handled an incident, the report belongs to the State Police. Submit requests through their GovQA online form or mail the Central Record Bureau at 1220 Washington Avenue, Building 22, Albany, NY 12226-2252. Reports cost $15.00 each under Public Officers Law Section 66-a.

Official criminal history records are held by the Division of Criminal Justice Services. These are fingerprint-based and not public. You can only request your own record. Private record search firms pull from public court databases, not DCJS. Contact DCJS at 518-457-9847 or mail the Record Review Unit at 80 South Swan St., 5th Floor, Albany, NY 12210.

Court Records for Herkimer County

The eCourts WebCivil Supreme system has civil case data for all 62 New York counties, including Herkimer. Search by name or index number. The WebCrims database shows pending criminal cases in most courts across the state. Both tools are free to use.

The OCA Criminal History Record Search provides a certified statewide search based on name and date of birth. It costs $95.00 per name and takes about two weeks. For older records not yet in the online systems, visit the Herkimer County Clerk in person. The clerk keeps official paper records of all Supreme Court and County Court cases filed in the county.

FOIL Law and Herkimer County Police Records

The Freedom of Information Law is in Article 6, Sections 84 through 90 of the NYS Public Officers Law. FOIL gives the public the right to access records from any government agency in the state. The law covers the Herkimer County Sheriff, village police, town courts, and every other local government office. A "record" under FOIL includes reports, memos, files, photos, maps, computer data, and other materials the agency creates or stores.

Some records have exemptions. Active investigation files can be withheld. Records that would reveal a confidential source, show non-routine investigative techniques, or endanger someone are also protected. Juvenile records and sealed court records stay closed. When denying a request, the agency must cite the specific exemption. Non-exempt parts of a record must still be released, with the protected information blacked out.

If denied, you have 30 days to appeal. The designated officer responds within ten business days. If the appeal fails, you can file a lawsuit within four months. The Committee on Open Government offers advisory opinions and free guidance on FOIL disputes.

Other Police Records Databases

The New York Sex Offender Registry covers Herkimer County. Level 2 and 3 offenders are listed on the public website. For Level 1 info, contact the sheriff at 315-866-2525. Search by name, address, or county. The toll-free hotline is 1-800-262-3257.

The DOCCS Incarcerated/Parolee Lookup tracks state prison inmates and parolees. County jail inmates are not in this database. For Herkimer County jail records, call the sheriff. The DMV Crash Report Sales Portal has accident reports from police across the state. The search fee is $7.00 plus $15.00 per report. Reports take 14 to 60 days to appear after filing.

Nearby Counties

Herkimer County is in central New York along the Mohawk Valley. These neighboring counties may hold police records for incidents near the county lines.

Towns in Herkimer County

Herkimer County has no cities over the population threshold for a separate page. The county includes the Village of Herkimer, the Village of Ilion, the City of Little Falls, and several smaller communities. Little Falls and some villages have their own police departments. For records from those departments, contact them directly. For all other areas, the Herkimer County Sheriff's Office handles police records at 315-866-2525.