Records Department
Public ServicesThe Records Department staffs the main lobby and handles police reports, FOIA requests, firearm permits, registrations and fingerprinting.
1,890
Police Reports Processed
2025
4,631
Pistols Registered
974
Purchase Permits Issued
272
FOIA Requests
About the Records Department
The Records Department provides the clerical and administrative functions that support the police department and staffs the main lobby during public hours. Records clerks work alongside the Administrative Sergeant and are the first people most residents meet when they walk in the door at 46525 Continental Drive, Chesterfield Township, MI 48047.
The window is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, effective January 2, 2026. Firearm purchase permit applications are accepted in person Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Wednesday until 4:00 PM. The office is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
In 2025 the department processed 1,890 police reports, registered 4,631 pistols, issued 974 pistol purchase permits, entered 2,114 traffic tickets and handled 272 Freedom of Information Act requests. Pistol purchase permits rose sharply from 686 the year before, while ticket entries and police reports both declined slightly.
Records also responds to faxed, emailed and telephoned requests from probation, Child Protective Services, courts, attorneys, the military, adoption and foster care agencies and other government offices, and reviews, redacts and copies dash camera and body camera video for FOIA and insurance requests.
Responsibilities
- Attend to the main lobby, answer telephone calls and sort mail and packages
- Register firearms, issue pistol purchase permits and perform background checks
- Register sex offenders as required by Michigan law
- Process Freedom of Information Act requests for police and traffic crash reports, including redaction of dash camera and body camera video
- Enter tickets, subpoenas and private property crash reports
- Respond to requests from probation, CPS, courts, attorneys, military, adoption, foster care and other government agencies
- Process bond fees, cost recovery payments, cash register reports and deposits
- Enter abandoned vehicles into LEIN
- Provide notary services and ink fingerprint cards for township residents
- Organize and maintain the department's files and archives
Services at the Records Window
Most services are handled at the window during public hours, and several can be started online or by email. Fingerprinting is offered for court-ordered or paper fingerprint cards at $5 per card for Chesterfield Township residents only; the department does not offer Livescan. Notary service carries a $5 fee.
Written FOIA requests can also be mailed to Chesterfield Police Department Records, 46525 Continental Drive, Chesterfield, MI 48047, or faxed to (586) 598-2536. Firearm purchase permit processing takes 30 minutes to an hour and same-day processing is not guaranteed; the $5 notary fee is due at the time of processing and can be paid by cash, check or credit card (a small processing fee applies to cards).
- FOIA requests: submit in writing by email, mail, fax or in person, and pick up completed records
- Firearm purchase permits: applications accepted in person Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Wednesday until 4:00 PM
- Pistol registration as required by Michigan law
- Sex offender registration
- Fingerprinting on paper cards, $5 per card, township residents only
- OWI cost recovery and false alarm fee payments
- Copies of police reports; traffic crash reports are purchased online 24 hours a day through LexisNexis, and staff can help if you don't have a computer
- Notary service, $5 fee
- Open burn permits, CPR class registration and blood drive coordination
- General assistance and questions at the front lobby
By the Numbers
Records Department Activity
| Measure | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Ticket Entries | 2,347 | 2,114 |
| Pistols Registered | 4,215 | 4,631 |
| FOIA Requests | 276 | 272 |
| Police Reports | 2,084 | 1,890 |
| Pistol Purchase Permits | 686 | 974 |
Records Department Staff
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Records Department hours?
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Wednesday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, effective January 2, 2026. Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
How do I get a copy of my crash report?
Crash reports are purchased online at any hour through LexisNexis. When searching, enter the report number using numbers only, with no spaces or dashes. If you don't have a computer, Records staff can help you at the lobby window during public hours, or call (586) 949-2112.
Do you offer Livescan fingerprinting?
No. Records provides ink fingerprinting on court-ordered or paper cards for Chesterfield Township residents only, at $5 per card.
Where do I send a FOIA request?
Email your written request to foia@chesterfieldpolice.org or bring it to the Records window. The department responds within five business days unless it takes the extension allowed by Michigan law.