Search Redwood County Police Records

Redwood County police records cover arrests, incidents, and law enforcement activity maintained by the Redwood County Sheriff's Office in Redwood Falls. The county is in southwest Minnesota, and the sheriff's office serves rural areas and small communities throughout the county. Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act makes most law enforcement records public, and any person has the right to request access. City police departments within the county hold their own records separately from the sheriff's office.

Redwood County Sheriff's Office

The Redwood County Sheriff's Office is based in Redwood Falls and handles law enforcement for rural areas, county roads, and townships throughout the county. The office also operates the county jail and handles civil process. It is the primary source of police records for incidents that occur outside city limits in Redwood County.

Redwood Falls has its own city police department. Morgan, Lamberton, and other cities in the county may also have their own departments or contract for coverage. If you need records for an incident inside a city, contact that city's police. For rural incidents, the sheriff's office is your main contact.

The county website at www.co.redwood.mn.us provides contact details for the sheriff's office and other county departments. Check there for current addresses and phone numbers before you submit a request.

What Redwood County Police Records Are Public

Under Minn. Stat. 13.82, arrest data in Minnesota is public. When someone is arrested in Redwood County, the following information becomes a public record: their name, age, sex, home address, the charge or charges, the date of the arrest, and where it happened. Booking photos are also public.

Active investigation data is kept private. The sheriff can withhold details about cases that are still being worked. Once a case closes, more of the underlying record becomes accessible.

Most incident reports are public. Some portions may be redacted if they contain victim information in certain crime types, juvenile data, or confidential source information. If you want a specific report, call the sheriff's office to find out what is available before submitting a formal written request.

Statewide criminal history is a different category. Under Minn. Stat. 13.87, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains criminal history records with its own access rules. For a statewide search, go to the BCA rather than the county sheriff.

How to Request Records

Anyone can request public records from the Redwood County Sheriff's Office. No special form is needed. Here are the main ways to request records:

• In person: Visit the sheriff's office in Redwood Falls. Tell staff what you are looking for. They will explain what is available and walk you through the process.
• By mail: Write a letter that describes the records you want. Include your name and contact information. Mail it to the sheriff's office and keep a copy for yourself.
• By phone: Call (507) 637-4025 to ask questions before you make a formal written request. A quick call can confirm whether records exist and who holds them.

Under Minn. Stat. 13.03, inspection of public records is free. Copies cost $0.25 per page for the first 100 pages. After 100 pages, actual cost may apply. Viewing records in person is always free.

Data Subject Rights

If a police record in Redwood County is about you, Minnesota law gives you rights. Under Minn. Stat. 13.04, you have the right to see the data. You can also contest data you believe is wrong within 30 days of finding out about it. If the agency does not make the correction, you have 60 days to appeal. Write to the sheriff's office to start any dispute, and keep copies of what you send and receive.

The MGDPA and Redwood County Records

All Redwood County police records are governed by the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. Under Minn. Stat. 13.025, every government agency must maintain a data inventory that tells the public what data it holds and how to access it. The Redwood County Sheriff's Office and city police departments throughout the county must all follow these rules.

The MGDPA classifies data as public, private, or confidential. Public data is available to anyone. Private data is limited to the subject and certain authorized people. Confidential data is the most restricted. Arrest logs, booking photos, and incident reports are generally public, though a single record may include both public and private data.

BCA and Statewide Searches

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains statewide criminal history records. If you need to look beyond Redwood County, the BCA is your resource. Call 651-793-2400, option 7, or check the BCA background checks page for instructions.

The BCA offers statewide background check services. Visit the BCA website for forms and details on submitting a request.

Court Records for Redwood County

Court records cover what happens after charges are filed in court. They are separate from police records. Redwood County is in the 5th Judicial District. You can search court records for Redwood County cases at the Minnesota Court Records Online system at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us.

Search Redwood County court cases in the 5th Judicial District on Minnesota Court Records Online. Free to search by name or case number.

Nearby Counties

Redwood County borders several southwest and south-central Minnesota counties. Each has its own sheriff's office and court system.