Okaloosa County is in northwestern Florida and has more than 211,000 residents. It is the 26th most populous county in the state, accounting for about 1% of Florida's total population. The local economy relies on professional services, tourism, and trade. The major cities and towns in the county include Crestview (county seat), Fort Walton Beach, Destin, and Niceville.
Okaloosa County's average violent and property crime rates are 315 and 1,321 per 100,000 residents, respectively. The average violent crime rate is 38% above the national average, while the property crime average is nearly 30% below the national average.
The primary law enforcement agency in the county is the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office (OCSO). The Office of the County Sheriff oversees the county jail and is the central public contact for law enforcement matters in the county.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office manages arrest records, jail bookings, and most warrant information at the county level. Law enforcement agencies, such as municipal police, state troopers, and federal officers, also make arrests and file reports. However, those records are forwarded to the Sheriff's Office once the individual is booked into the county jail.
Okaloosa County hosts multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Sheriff's Office, municipal police departments, and federal authorities.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary source for county arrest records and jail rosters. The county sheriff's office manages:
Local police departments serve communities in Okaloosa County, including Crestview and Niceville. While city police make arrests, individuals are generally processed at the Okaloosa County jail, where the Sheriff's Office manages their records.
Local police departments handle arrests within their municipal limits and maintain their own arrest or incident reports.
State police or the Florida Highway Patrol may stop vehicles or investigate crimes that cross jurisdictions. When arrests occur in Okaloosa County, suspects are usually booked into the county jail, and their records are added to county logs.
Federal agencies such as the FBI, DEA, ATF, and Homeland Security may investigate and arrest for violations of federal laws and regulations. These offenses include terrorism, drug trafficking, immigration, and cybercrime. Note that federal arrests typically do not show up in county records unless the individual is temporarily housed in the Okaloosa County jail.
Arrest records in Okaloosa County typically contain the following details:
Note that the exact details available in arrest records vary depending on the agency, jurisdiction, and case type. Some information may be withheld due to privacy laws, juvenile protections, or ongoing investigations.
The average violent and property crime rates are 315 and 1,321 per 100,000 residents, respectively. The average violent crime rate is 38% above the national average, while the property crime average is nearly 30% below the national average.
The table below shows a breakdown of arrest statistics in Okaloosa County:
Arrest Total | Yearly Average |
|---|---|
Arrest Rate per 100,000 | 4,879 |
Adult Arrests | 9,413 |
Juvenile Arrests | 539 |
Crime Type | |
Murder | 6 |
Rape | 31 |
Robbery | 26 |
Aggravated Assault | 286 |
Burglary | 85 |
Larceny | 485 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 70 |
Arson | 1 |
Source: Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Common Warrant Types in Okaloosa County, FL
Public arrest records in Okaloosa County can include information about different warrant types that may be issued by courts. A warrant grants law enforcement legal authority to arrest an individual or take other legally authorized action. Note that the terms used to describe various warrant types and the specifics of each type may differ from one jurisdiction to another. The most common warrant types in Okaloosa County include the following:
An arrest warrant is issued when there is sufficient evidence to suggest that someone committed a crime. Once signed by a judge, an arrest warrant allows law enforcement to locate and arrest the individual suspected of having committed a crime. Arrest warrants typically show up in arrest and booking records.
A bench warrant is issued by the court when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled hearing or does not comply with a court directive. Bench warrants may lead to arrest even for minor offenses.
Civil capias warrants arise from civil proceedings, such as lawsuits or child support cases, when a person fails to obey a judge's order.
When a person wanted in another jurisdiction is found in Okaloosa County, a fugitive warrant enables local authorities to detain them. These cases often lead to extradition and are reflected in both arrest records and court filings.
Signed by the governor, a governor's warrant is used to authorize the return of a wanted individual to another state. While not as common, governor's warrants appear in records related to out-of-state criminal matters.
Although not arrest-related, a search warrant allows law enforcement to enter a location or property to find specific evidence. Arrests sometimes follow, which may cause search warrant details to be found in case summaries and arrest reports.
Okaloosa County arrest and jail records are available through several channels. You can start with the county's inmate search or jail roster to view current bookings and inmate status. You can also run a warrant search through the Sheriff's Office or county offices or use the Florida court portal to locate cases linked to arrests.
Records can also be requested directly from the Sheriff's Office, jail, or clerk of court by phone, email, or in person. If needed, you may submit a formal public records request under Florida law, which may involve identification and fees.
The following are jail and detention facilities in Okaloosa County:
Agency Name: Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office
City: Shalimar, Florida
Type: County law enforcement agency
Address: 50 2nd St, Shalimar, FL 32579
Phone Number: 850-651-7410
Website: https://www.sheriff-okaloosa.org/
Staffing: The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office employs over 500 personnel
Police Department | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
Fort Walton Beach Police Department | 7 Hollywood Blvd NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 | (850) 833-9546 |
Shalimar Police Department | 2 Cherokee Rd, Shalimar, FL 32579 | (850) 651-1115 |
Agency Name: Okaloosa County Correctional Facility
State: Florida
City: Crestview
Type: County detention facility
Address: 1200 E James Lee Blvd, Crestview, FL 32539
Phone Number: (850) 689-5690
Website: https://co.okaloosa.fl.us/
Facility Name | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
Okaloosa County Correctional Facility | 189 Colonel Greg Malloy Rd, Crestview, FL 32539 | (850) 682-0931 |
Okaloosa Correctional Juvenile Release Center | Crestview, FL 32539, United States | (850) 623-9960 |