Search DeKalb County Police Blotter

DeKalb County police blotter records cover one of the largest and most diverse counties in Georgia, with nearly 765,000 residents across communities like Stonecrest, Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Tucker, Chamblee, and Redan. Sheriff Melody Maddox leads the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, which manages the county jail and serves court papers, while the DeKalb County Police Department handles patrol and investigations in unincorporated areas. Police blotter data in DeKalb County comes from multiple agencies, and Georgia's Open Records Act protects your right to access arrest reports, incident logs, and booking records from any of them. This page explains how to search for those records and where to look.

DeKalb County Police Blotter Office

The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office operates from 4415 Memorial Drive in Decatur. Sheriff Melody Maddox oversees the office. The phone number is (404) 298-8111. The sheriff's office runs the DeKalb County jail, serves civil papers, and provides courthouse security. All booking records for people brought into the county jail go through this office, making it a key source for police blotter data.

DeKalb County uses a split law enforcement model. The sheriff handles the jail and court services. The DeKalb County Police Department patrols unincorporated areas and investigates crimes. That means police blotter records for arrests made by county police come from the police department, while booking and jail records come from the sheriff. Several cities within DeKalb County also have their own police forces. Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Chamblee, and Tucker all maintain separate departments that create their own police blotter records.

If you are unsure which agency handled an incident in DeKalb County, start with the sheriff's office. They manage the central booking facility and can direct you to the right place.

DeKalb County Police Blotter Open Records

Georgia's Open Records Act covers all police blotter entries in DeKalb County. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, arrest reports, incident logs, and booking records are public documents. You do not need to give a reason for your request. You do not need to live in DeKalb County. The law applies the same way to everyone.

O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71 requires agencies to respond within three business days. Copies cost up to 10 cents per page for letter or legal sizes. The first 15 minutes of staff time are free. After that, DeKalb County can charge at the rate of the lowest-paid employee who can handle the work. Given the size of DeKalb County, requests can sometimes take the full three days. Written requests create a paper trail and are always the better approach.

O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 exempts records from active investigations and pending cases. Confidential informant identities are protected. Files that could put someone in physical danger are also exempt. But the initial police blotter entry for any reported incident in DeKalb County is almost always available to the public. That includes the basic facts of what happened, where, and who was involved.

State Patrol Police Blotter in DeKalb County

Georgia State Patrol troopers work the highways running through DeKalb County, including portions of Interstate 285 and Interstate 20. Their reports are filed with the state, not local agencies. You can request them through the EPORTS online system.

Crash reports cost $5.00 each. Incident reports are $2.00. The first citation copy is free. Reports are typically available within three to five business days. For highway incidents in DeKalb County, EPORTS is a fast option. You submit the request online, wait for the email, pay, and download the report without leaving home.

State patrol reports are separate from DeKalb County Police and city police reports. Each agency maintains its own records.

DeKalb County Police Blotter Data

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation collects crime data from all law enforcement agencies in DeKalb County. If the GBI worked a case in the county, you can submit a request through the GBI Records Request Center. The GBI headquarters is actually in DeKalb County, located in Decatur. Crime statistics from DeKalb County agencies feed into the statewide Uniform Crime Reporting program.

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, criminal history checks need consent from the person being searched unless the request covers Georgia felony convictions only. The Georgia Sex Offender Registry lets you search for registered offenders in DeKalb County for free. The Georgia Department of Corrections offender search covers state inmates from DeKalb County. Tips go through the GBI online tip form.

DeKalb County Police Record Fees

Police blotter record fees in DeKalb County follow state guidelines. Standard copies cost up to 10 cents per page. Certified copies add $2.00. The DPS fee schedule shows the full cost structure.

EPORTS charges $5.00 for crash reports and $2.00 for incident reports from state troopers in DeKalb County. Local agencies may set slightly different copy rates for their own police blotter records. The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, the county police department, and the various city police departments in DeKalb County all follow the same state law on fees. The first 15 minutes of search time are free at every agency.

Reading DeKalb County Police Reports

A police blotter entry from DeKalb County includes the date, time, and location. It names the people involved and describes what happened. Arrest entries list charges and the officer who made the arrest. A case number connects all related documents for each DeKalb County incident.

Redaction is required before reports go public. Phone numbers, the day and month of birth, and medical details are removed from DeKalb County police reports per state law. The year of birth stays. This balances public access with personal privacy. If you are a named party, you may be able to get a more complete copy. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association directory can help you confirm contact details for the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office.

Confirm sheriff office details for DeKalb County through the statewide directory before you submit a request.

Cities in DeKalb County

DeKalb County has several cities with their own police departments. For incidents inside city limits, contact that city's police force for the police blotter record. For unincorporated DeKalb County, contact the county police department. The sheriff handles the jail for the entire county.

Other cities in DeKalb County include Decatur, Lithonia, Pine Lake, and Clarkston. Each maintains its own police blotter through its local police department.

Nearby Counties

These counties border DeKalb County. For incidents near a county line, the report may sit with a neighboring agency. Confirm the exact location before making a records request.