Cleveland Arrest Records
Cleveland arrest records are kept by the Cleveland Police Department, a nationally accredited agency in Bradley County, Tennessee. The department has held CALEA accreditation since 2009 and employs 105 officers serving about 44,000 residents. Arrest records are available through the Records unit at 100 Church Street NE. You can request records in person, by phone, or by mail. All people arrested in Cleveland are booked at the Bradley County Jail, which posts an online booking roster.
Cleveland Quick Facts
Where to Get Cleveland Arrest Records
The Cleveland Police Department has three bureaus: operations, professional standards, and support services. The support services bureau handles records, evidence, and public service. This is where you go to request arrest records. Chief Mark Gibson leads the department.
| Agency | Cleveland Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Church Street NE Cleveland, TN 37311 |
| Phone | 423-476-1121 |
| Chief's Line | 423-559-3311 |
| mgibson@clevelandtn.gov |
Records requests can be made Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Cleveland Police Service Center. Bring a case number, the location of the incident, the date, and the names of people involved if you have them. This speeds things up. Arrest reports are only given to the person who was arrested. You need a valid ID to get your arrest report.
Offense and incident reports from closed cases are available too. These need approval from the District Attorney's Office or the Chief of Police. Active criminal investigation files are off limits. Traffic accident reports take 3 to 5 business days. For fingerprinting, call John Cook at (423) 478-5252.
Note: An appointment is required to inspect records at the Cleveland Police Department.
How to Search Arrest Records in Cleveland
There is no charge to view records at the Cleveland Police Department. You just need to set up an appointment. Copy fees apply when you want something on paper. Black and white pages are $0.15 each. Color copies cost $0.50 per page. If the staff time to pull your records goes over one hour, you pay the hourly wage of the employee for the extra time.
The Cleveland Police Department page is shown below. It provides details on the department structure and how to reach the records unit.
The site links to the records division and the open records request page.
Below is the Records Division page. It spells out what types of records are on file and how to request them.
The page covers arrest reports, incident reports, traffic reports, and the fees for each type.
Cleveland also has a dedicated Open Records Request page. You can submit a formal request through the city's open records page. This covers all city records, not just police files.
Use this when you need a formal written request on file for Cleveland arrest records.
Cleveland Arrests and Bradley County Jail
All people arrested in Cleveland go to the Bradley County Jail. The jail has an online booking roster that lists inmates by booking date. It shows mugshots, charges, bond amounts, and upcoming court dates. This is a quick way to check on someone who was recently arrested in Cleveland.
Sheriff Steve Lawson heads the Bradley County Sheriff's Department at 2290 Blythe Avenue in Cleveland. Phone is (423) 728-7300. The department keeps a most wanted list showing fugitive mugshots and charges. You can leave tips about fugitive locations through the Bradley County Sheriff's website.
Cleveland's crime rate is high compared to the national average. The overall rate is 153% above average. Violent crime is 169% above. The annual rate is about 6,308 per 100,000 people. Residents have a 1 in 16 chance of being a crime victim. This means the police department and jail process a large number of arrests each year.
Cleveland Arrest Records and the Law
Tennessee's Public Records Act at Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503 makes most arrest records in Cleveland public. The law covers all government records unless a specific exemption applies. Arrest records from closed cases are open. Active investigation files stay sealed under Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-504.
You must live in Tennessee and show a valid state ID to request records. The agency has 7 business days to respond. Personal details like Social Security numbers get removed. Juvenile records are sealed entirely. For 911 recordings or radio traffic tied to a Cleveland arrest, contact the Communications Manager at (423) 478-8846.
Note: The District Attorney's Office or Chief of Police must approve release of offense reports from closed investigation files in Cleveland.
Statewide Arrest Search Tools
Beyond Cleveland, the TBI's TORIS system offers a $29 statewide criminal history search. It covers arrests from all Tennessee agencies. The TDOC Felony Offender Search is free and tracks state prison inmates. The Tennessee court system covers Bradley County cases by name or number. For federal inmates, check the BOP locator.
Bradley County Arrest Records
Cleveland is in Bradley County. All arrests in the city go through the Bradley County court and jail system. For more on county-wide records, visit the full county page.
Nearby Tennessee Cities
Other cities in the area have their own police departments and arrest records. Pick one to learn more.