Putnam County Police Blotter

Putnam County police blotter records are maintained through the Putnam County Sheriff's Office in Palatka, where Sheriff H.D. 'Gator' DeLoach oversees law enforcement operations. The main office at 130 Orie Griffin Boulevard handles all public records requests for incident reports, arrest records, and traffic crash reports filed by deputies throughout the county. Anyone seeking police blotter information can contact the sheriff's office at (386) 329-0800 during business hours to submit records requests or visit in person at the Palatka headquarters. These records document daily law enforcement activity including arrests, crime reports, crash investigations, and calls for service across all of Putnam County. The sheriff's office website at putnamsheriff.org provides contact details and information about available records.

Requesting Police Blotter Records

The Putnam County Sheriff's Office processes all public records requests at their main facility in Palatka. Visit 130 Orie Griffin Boulevard during business hours to request copies of police reports, arrest records, or crash reports. Bring identification and as much information as possible about the incident you're researching. Case numbers, dates, locations, and names of involved parties help staff locate records quickly.

Call (386) 329-0800 to reach the main office and ask about records requests. Staff can explain what information they need from you and how long the request might take. Some simple requests can be handled over the phone, while complex searches may require an in-person visit or written request. Have your details ready when you call to speed up the process.

Written requests can be mailed to the sheriff's office at 130 Orie Griffin Boulevard, Palatka, FL 32177. Include your contact information, describe the records you want, and provide specific details about incidents or people involved. Written requests take longer to process than in-person visits but work well for people who cannot travel to Palatka.

What Records Are Available

The sheriff's office maintains incident reports for all calls responded to by deputies. These reports describe what happened, who was involved, when and where it occurred, and what actions deputies took. Incident reports cover crimes, traffic crashes, disturbances, welfare checks, and other law enforcement activities throughout Putnam County.

Arrest records document when someone is taken into custody by sheriff's deputies. They show booking information, charges filed, bond amounts, and personal details about arrestees. Arrest records become public once booking is complete, though information about ongoing investigations may be withheld temporarily under Florida public records exemptions.

Traffic crash reports are completed by deputies who investigate accidents in the county. These reports include driver information, vehicle details, crash diagrams, contributing factors, and officer narratives. Some crash reports are confidential for 60 days under Florida law if they involve injuries. After the confidentiality period ends, anyone can purchase crash reports through the state system.

Note: Processing times for records requests vary based on complexity and staff availability.

Sheriff's Office Contact Information

Sheriff H.D. 'Gator' DeLoach leads the Putnam County Sheriff's Office from the main headquarters at 130 Orie Griffin Boulevard in Palatka, FL 32177. The office serves as the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Putnam County. The main phone number is (386) 329-0800 for general inquiries and records requests.

The sheriff's website at putnamsheriff.org provides information about the agency, contact details, and updates on law enforcement activities. While the site offers basic information, most records requests must be submitted in person or by phone rather than through an online portal.

Deputies patrol the entire county, respond to calls for service, investigate crimes, and make arrests. All reports generated by deputies are stored in the sheriff's office records system. The records unit at the main office handles requests from the public for copies of these documents.

Understanding Police Records Types

Police blotter records include several document categories. Offense reports detail crimes reported to and investigated by the sheriff's office. Each report contains facts about the incident, victim information, suspect descriptions, witness statements, and investigative findings. These reports are the foundation of most criminal cases.

Booking records show information about people arrested and booked into county facilities. They include mugshots, fingerprints, personal details, charges, and bond information. Booking records are generated at the time of arrest and become part of the public record once processing is complete.

Call logs document when people contact the sheriff's office for help. They show the time of call, type of incident, location, and response actions. Call logs provide a broad overview of law enforcement activity but contain less detail than full incident reports.

Some records may be redacted or withheld entirely if they contain information protected under Florida law. Active investigative information, victim identities in certain cases, and personal information about law enforcement officers may be exempt from disclosure. The sheriff's office determines what can be released based on statutory exemptions.

Florida Public Records Law

Putnam County police blotter records are subject to Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes, which gives every person the right to inspect and copy public records. Government agencies must respond to requests promptly and provide access unless a specific exemption applies. The law creates a strong presumption in favor of public access to government documents.

Several exemptions protect certain information from disclosure under Florida Statutes Section 119.071. Active criminal investigative information remains confidential until investigations are complete or become inactive. Victim names in sexual offense cases are protected. Home addresses and personal phone numbers of law enforcement officers are exempt. Social Security numbers, bank account details, and other sensitive personal data are redacted from records.

Traffic crash reports follow special confidentiality rules under Florida Statute 316.066. Reports involving personal injuries stay confidential for 60 days. Only parties to the crash, their lawyers, insurers, and certain government agencies can access them during this time. After 60 days, crash reports become public and can be purchased through the Florida Crash Portal.

Agencies can charge fees based on the actual cost of fulfilling requests. Simple requests are usually provided at no charge. Complex requests requiring significant staff time are billed at employee compensation rates. Standard copy fees are $0.15 per single-sided page and $0.20 per double-sided page. Payment must be made before records are released.

Nearby Counties

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