Florida records approximately 543,000 arrests yearly, and Bay County contributes over 15,000 to this figure. Everyone has the right to inspect and retrieve arrest records in Bay County, according to the Florida Public Records Statutes. Each record custodian is empowered by this law to also charge copy fees between $0.15 and $24 while granting public disclosure of requested records.
Some records, such as those of ongoing investigations, records that may jeopardize public safety if disclosed, sealed records, and other confidential records, are exempt from public disclosure. Access to these exempt records is restricted to parties mentioned in the records, authorized legal professionals, and law enforcement agencies such as the court, police, and State Attorney's Office.
Bay County arrest records are managed by several government agencies, including the Sheriff's Office, Panama City Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), and Bay County Circuit Court.
Interested individuals may request Bay County arrest records from the Bay County Sheriff's Office by calling (850) 747-4700 or sending a fax to (850) 914-2093. Alternatively, the records may be obtained by mailing the request to:
The Sheriff's Office
3421 N. Highway 77
Panama City, FL 32405
A fee between $0.15 and $10 is charged per page by the Sheriff's Office for record copies. The individuals may also view arrest records of the current inmates through the Bay County Jail Inmate Search portal.
Many arrests in Bay County are enforced by the Panama City Police Department (PCPD), which is the sole police division pairing the Sheriff's Office to maintain public safety in the county. To request desired arrest records from the PCPD, interested individuals may call (850) 872-3100 or fax their requests to (850) 872-3198.
In addition to the phone and fax options, individuals may obtain Bay County arrest records in person or by mailing their requests to:
PCPD Records Department
1209 East 15th Street
Panama City, FL 32305
A copy fee is expected to be paid to the police department by the requestor.
Bay County criminal history and arrest records are collated and maintained by the Florida Department Of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Interested members of the public may access the records through the State of Florida Criminal History Record Check platform. A $24 copy fee is charged by the FDLE. Interested persons may retrieve uncertified copies with additional $1 credit card charges.
To obtain certified record copies, interested individuals may request through the FDLE Shield- Certified/Non-certified Search System for personal or Shield- ORI Search System for licensing or employment purposes. Requestors' demographic details are required for certified/non-certified search, while ORI, given by the licensing or recruiting agencies, is required for the ORI-based search.
The criminal court records in Bay County are kept by the Bay County Clerk of Court. Interested persons may search the records online through the Clerk of Court Case Search portal. The case number or arrestee's name is normally required for this online search.
Alternatively, record seekers may perform a simplified search of Bay County arrest records through credible third-party platforms like InfoTracer.
For every 100,000 people in Bay County, about 8,457.9 arrests are made annually. Some arrest data reported in Bay County include:
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Muder and Nonnegligent Manslaughter | 18 |
| Robbery | 36 |
| Rape | 32 |
| Aggravated Assault | 537 |
| Burglary/Breaking & Entering | 734 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 140 |
| Larceny | 1,506 |
| Total Crimes Against Persons (Violent Crimes) | 623 |
| Total Property Crimes | 2,380 |
| Total Number of Arrests | 15,079 |
Source: Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
It is situated in Bay county, Florida with a total number of 214 employees - 22 female, 127 male officers and 65 civilians. Bay County SO ORI (Originated Agency Identifier) number is FL0030000, it belongs to the South Atlantic division in the South region with a region code of Region III.
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Lynn Haven Police Department | 108 E 9th St | 850-265-4111 |
| Panama City Beach Police Department | 17110 Firenzo Avenue | (850) 233-5000 |
| Panama City Police Department | 1209 E. 15th St. | 850-872-3100 |
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Bay Correctional Facility | 5400 Bayline Drive | 850-769-1455 |
| Bay Regional Juvenile Detention Center | 450 E 11th Street | 850-872-4706 |