Hendry County Police Blotter Database

Hendry County police blotter records are maintained by the Hendry County Sheriff's Office located at 101 South Bridge Street in LaBelle. The sheriff's office handles all incident reports, arrest records, traffic crash reports, and booking logs for law enforcement activity throughout the county. You can request police blotter information by visiting the sheriff's office in person or calling during business hours to speak with records staff. These records include deputy responses to calls for service, investigations conducted, arrests made, crash reports filed, and other public safety documentation from across Hendry County. Florida public records law allows any person to inspect and copy these documents unless they contain information protected by a specific exemption in state law.

How to Request Hendry County Police Records

Call the Hendry County Sheriff's Office at (863) 674-5600 to start a public records request. Tell staff what type of record you need and provide all details you have. Include the date of the incident, where it happened, names of people involved, and a case number if you know it. Specific requests get processed faster than vague ones.

Visit the sheriff's office at 101 South Bridge Street in LaBelle to submit your request in person. Bring photo ID and fill out a public records request form. Staff will review your request and give you an estimate of processing time and cost. Simple requests may be ready in a few days. Complex searches take longer because staff must locate records, review for exempt information, and redact confidential data.

The sheriff's office charges for copies and staff time. Copy fees are $0.15 per single-sided page and $0.20 for double-sided pages. If your request requires extensive staff time, labor fees apply based on the hourly compensation rate of the employee doing the work. You will be notified of the total cost and can arrange payment when records are ready.

For traffic crash reports less than 60 days old, only authorized parties can get copies. This includes people involved in the crash, their lawyers, insurance companies, and government agencies. After 60 days, anyone can purchase crash reports through the Florida Crash Portal for $10 per report plus $2 online fee.

Hendry County Sheriff's Office

The sheriff's office is at 101 South Bridge Street in LaBelle. This facility serves as the central hub for all law enforcement operations in Hendry County. The office handles patrol, investigations, records management, and jail operations. Deputies patrol unincorporated areas and respond to calls throughout the county from this location.

Reach the main office at (863) 674-5600. This number connects to dispatch and administrative staff who can direct your call. For public records requests, ask to speak with someone in the records division. For general questions about sheriff's office services, the front desk can help.

The official website at hendrysheriff.org provides contact information and agency updates. Check the website for office hours, services offered, and instructions for public records requests.

Sheriff's Office Online Resources

The Hendry County Sheriff's Office website serves as the main online portal for contacting the agency and learning about available services.

Use the website to find contact information, office locations, and general details before submitting a public records request to the sheriff's office.

What Police Blotter Records Include

Police blotter records in Hendry County document all law enforcement activity. Incident reports are the most common record type. These reports detail calls for service, crimes reported, investigations, and arrests. Each incident report includes the date and time, location, people involved, witness statements, evidence collected, and the deputy's narrative of what happened during the call.

Arrest records are part of the police blotter system. When someone is arrested and booked into the Hendry County Jail, a booking record is created. This record includes the person's name, date of birth, physical description, booking photo, charges filed, arresting officer, and bond amount. Booking records are public unless the arrest is part of an active criminal investigation.

Traffic crash reports filed by Hendry County deputies contain driver information, vehicle details, crash diagrams, contributing factors, weather conditions, road conditions, injuries, and the deputy's analysis of what caused the crash. These long-form reports are used by insurance companies, attorneys, and others involved in crash-related matters.

Note: The sheriff's office must redact exempt information before releasing records to the public.

Types of Police Blotter Records

Daily booking logs from the county jail show who was arrested each day. These logs include names, booking times, charges filed, and custody status. Booking logs are updated regularly and provide a snapshot of recent arrests in Hendry County. They are public records unless an arrest is part of an ongoing investigation.

Offense reports document specific crimes and incidents. Burglary reports, theft reports, battery reports, and other crime documentation are maintained in the records system. Each offense report contains victim information, suspect descriptions, witness interviews, property descriptions, and investigative findings. Some information may be redacted to protect victim identities in sensitive cases.

Deputy activity logs and field contact reports show routine law enforcement work. These records document traffic stops, welfare checks, suspicious person contacts, and other interactions between deputies and the public. Not every interaction results in an arrest, but significant contacts are documented for accountability and transparency.

Public Records Fees

Hendry County follows Florida statutory fee limits for public records. Copy fees are $0.15 per single-sided page and $0.20 per double-sided page. These are the maximum rates allowed under state law. The sheriff's office cannot charge more than these amounts for standard paper copies.

Labor fees apply when requests require extensive staff time. The first 15 minutes of search and review time are often free. Requests taking longer are charged at the hourly compensation rate of the employee performing the work. This includes time locating records, reviewing for exempt information, redacting confidential data, and preparing copies. You will receive an estimate before extensive work begins.

Payment is due before records are released. Cash is usually accepted. Money orders and business checks may be accepted. Personal checks might not be taken. Some agencies accept credit cards but charge a processing fee. Ask about payment methods when you submit your request.

Florida Public Records Law

All police blotter records in Hendry County are subject to Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes. This law grants every person the right to inspect and copy public records. The sheriff's office must acknowledge requests promptly and respond in good faith. Agencies cannot unreasonably delay or deny access to non-exempt records.

Exemptions exist for certain information. Florida Statutes Section 119.071 lists exemptions including active criminal investigative information, social security numbers, bank account numbers, home addresses of law enforcement officers, and other sensitive data. The sheriff's office must identify the specific exemption and redact only the exempt portions. The rest must be released.

Traffic crash reports follow Florida Statute 316.066. Crash reports are confidential for 60 days after filing. Unauthorized disclosure during this period is a third-degree felony. After 60 days, reports become public and can be purchased through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles for $10 per report plus $2 online convenience fee.

Nearby Counties

Hendry County borders several other Florida counties, each with their own sheriff's office and records systems: