Pennington County records approximately 6,100 arrests annually, contributing to South Dakota's total of over 38,160 arrests each year. South Dakota's Public Records Law generally permits public access to government records, including arrest records. However, certain records are exempt from public disclosure, such as those related to juveniles, family law matters, and ongoing investigations. While access is limited, records may still be accessible to authorized parties, such as individuals directly involved in the case, their legal representatives, law enforcement officials, correctional officers, and the Pennington County District Attorney's Office.
Several government agencies in Pennington County are authorized to manage and provide access to arrest records. They include:
The Pennington County Sheriff's Office manages arrest records in the county. These records typically include personal and physical details of the individual, criminal charges, booking information, and criminal history. Individuals seeking access to these records may request them by mail or in person at:
300 Kansas City Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
Phone: (605) 394-6113
Fax: (605) 394-4129
For online access, the Sheriff's Office provides an Inmate Locator feature on its official website, which allows individuals to search for current inmates.
Pennington County arrest records may be obtained by contacting the police department that handled the arrest. When submitting a request, query parties must provide details, such as the individual's full name, offense, and the location of the arrest. Many police departments in Pennington County offer online platforms to enhance public access. For example, the Rapid City Police Department Request a Police Report allows users to request records. Other major police departments serving the county include:
The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) serves as the central repository for criminal history records in the state. Individuals seeking arrest records or criminal history information may submit a fingerprint-based background check request to the DCI at:
South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation
George S. Mickelson Building
1302 East Highway
Pierre, SD 57501-8505
Phone: (605) 773-3331
They may visit a local law enforcement agency or an authorized fingerprinting service to have their fingerprints taken. The fee for a state background check is $26.75, and processing time may take 5 business days.
When an individual is arrested and formally charged in Pennington County, the details of their arrest become part of the official court record. These records are maintained by the 7th Judicial Circuit Clerk of Court and are accessible through various channels.
For online access, individuals may search for criminal court records using the South Dakota Unified System's Public Access Record Search (PARS) Portal. This system allows users to search for criminal cases filed from 1989 to the present. Each search requires a $20 fee, payable by credit card. Alternatively, requesters may visit the Pennington County Clerk of Court in person at:
Pennington County Clerk of Court
300 Kansas City Street
Rapid City, SD 57709
Phone: (605) 394-2570
In addition, third-party services like InfoTracer may be used to access these records. These platforms offer wider search options.
Pennington County records an arrest rate of 207 per 1,000 residents. Below is a breakdown of additional arrest statistics for the county:
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Robbery | 1 |
| Aggravated Assault | 78 |
| Simple Assault | 427 |
| Drug Violations | 146 |
| Burglary | 56 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 46 |
| Larceny/Theft | 182 |
| Other Offenses | 3,888 |
| Total Number of Arrests | 6,101 |
Source: Crime in South Dakota
It is situated in Pennington county, South Dakota with a total number of 224 employees - 12 female, 85 male officers and 127 civilians. Pennington County SO ORI (Originated Agency Identifier) number is SD0510000, it belongs to the West North Central division in the Midwest region with a region code of Region II.
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City Police Department | 300 Kansas City Street | 605-394-4133 |
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Pennington County SD Work Release Facility | 108 E. Main St. | 605-394-6185 |
| Rapid City Community Work Center | 2725 Creek Drive | 605-394-5294 |
| Western SD Juvenile Detention | 3505 Cambell Street | 605-394-2639 |