Find Coffee County Police Records
Coffee County police records are available through the Sheriff's Office. This county is unique in Alabama because it has two county seats. Elba and Enterprise share that title. The sheriff's main office is in Elba. Coffee County sits in the Wiregrass region of southeast Alabama with about 53,000 people. Fort Novosel, formerly Fort Rucker, takes up a big chunk of the county. The military base brings activity to the area. If you need an arrest record, want to check on jail inmates, or need an incident report, the sheriff can help. This page walks through the records available and how to get them.
Coffee County Quick Facts
Coffee County Sheriff's Office
The Coffee County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement throughout the county. Sheriff Dave Sutton leads the department. The main office is in Elba. Deputies patrol the rural areas and respond to calls outside city limits.
Police records from the sheriff include arrests made by deputies, incident reports for crimes in the county, and booking records from the jail. This is the office to contact for most records requests. Staff can assist during normal business hours.
| Main Address | 5 S Jefferson St, Elba, AL 36323 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (334) 897-2578 |
| Fax | (334) 897-5568 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Coffee County is larger than some Alabama counties and has more activity. The military base at Fort Novosel means a transient population. The sheriff's department is busier than many rural offices. Records may take a bit longer to process due to volume.
Types of Records
The sheriff maintains these types of police records:
- Arrest records showing who was taken into custody
- Incident reports for crimes and calls for service
- Accident reports for crashes on county roads
- Booking records with mugshots and charges
- Civil process records
Some records are not public. Active investigations may be withheld. Juvenile records are sealed. Personal info like Social Security numbers gets redacted. But most arrest and incident data is open to the public.
Coffee County Jail
The Coffee County Jail is located in Elba. It holds inmates awaiting trial and those serving sentences under one year. The facility has decent capacity for a county this size. Inmates come from arrests by the sheriff and local police departments.
When someone is booked into jail, a record is created. This booking record has the person's name, date of birth, charges, and bond amount. A mugshot is taken. All of this is public information in most cases.
| Jail Phone | (334) 897-5591 |
|---|---|
| Address | 5 S Jefferson St, Elba, AL 36323 |
| Visitation | Saturday and Sunday |
| Hours | Contact jail for current schedule |
Looking Up Inmates
Coffee County may have an online jail roster. Check the sheriff's website or Facebook page for current inmate lists. Many Alabama sheriffs now post this information online. You can see names, photos, charges, and bond amounts.
If online options are limited, call the jail directly. Give the staff the name of the person you are looking for. They will confirm if that person is in custody. They can share charges and bond information over the phone.
People sentenced to more than a year go to state prison. The county jail does not hold long term inmates. For state prisoners, use the Alabama Department of Corrections website. Their inmate search covers everyone in ADOC custody.
How to Request Police Records
Getting records from Coffee County is fairly straightforward. Here are your options.
In Person
Go to the sheriff's office in Elba during business hours. Bring a photo ID. Tell the clerk what record you need. Simple requests may be done on the spot. You pay the fee and get copies. More complex requests could take a few days.
By Phone
Call the sheriff's office for basic information. They can tell you if a record exists. They will explain fees and procedures. You cannot get copies over the phone. But a call helps you figure out what to do next.
Written Requests
For formal requests, put it in writing. This documents your request and protects your interests. Include:
- Your full name and contact info
- Description of the record you want
- Names of people involved
- Date of the incident
- Any case or report numbers
- Copy of your Alabama ID
Mail or deliver your request to the sheriff's office. They will process it and let you know the cost. Pay the fee to get your records.
Processing Time
Simple records requests often take a day or two. Complex requests take longer. Old records stored offsite may require a week. Coffee County is busier than some rural counties. Expect reasonable turnaround but be patient during busy periods.
Alabama Open Records Act
Your legal right to access police records comes from state law. The Alabama Open Records Act appears in Section 36-12-40 of the Alabama Code.
This law gives every citizen the right to inspect and copy public records. Police records are included. Arrest records, incident reports, and jail rosters fall under this law. The sheriff must let you access these records unless a specific exemption applies.
Exemptions include:
- Active criminal investigation files
- Juvenile records
- Victim home addresses and personal numbers
- Security procedures and plans
- Personnel files in some cases
Alabama has an unusual rule. Only state residents can request public records. You need to show an Alabama ID. Out of state requesters do not have the same rights. Keep this in mind if you live elsewhere.
There is no deadline for agencies to respond. Alabama law does not require a response within a set number of days. Most offices respond within a reasonable time. If you are denied access, your option is to sue in circuit court.
Record Fees in Coffee County
Expect to pay fees for police records. The sheriff charges to cover costs. Here are typical fees.
| Record Type | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| Incident Report | $10 to $25 |
| Accident Report | $15 to $25 |
| Copy Fee per Page | $0.50 to $1.00 |
| Background Check | $25 to $35 |
| Certified Copies | Additional $5 to $10 |
Fees can vary. Call ahead to confirm current prices. Ask about accepted payment methods. Cash and money orders usually work. Checks may be accepted. Credit cards depend on the office.
Online jail rosters are usually free to view. You only pay if you need paper copies of records.
City Police Departments
Several cities in Coffee County have their own police. If a crime happened within city limits, that police department has the records. Not the sheriff.
Enterprise Police Department
Enterprise is the largest city in Coffee County. Their police department handles crimes within the city. Enterprise is one of the county seats. Contact Enterprise PD for records from within the city.
Phone: (334) 347-2222
Elba Police Department
Elba is the other county seat. It has its own police force for matters inside city limits. For records from Elba, contact the Elba Police instead of the sheriff.
Phone: (334) 897-2611
New Brockton Police Department
New Brockton is a smaller town with local police coverage. Incidents within New Brockton go through their department.
Fort Novosel
The military installation has its own law enforcement. Incidents on base are handled by military police. Those records go through military channels, not the county sheriff.
Court Records in Coffee County
Police records and court records are different. The sheriff keeps arrest records. Courts keep prosecution records. Do not confuse them.
After an arrest, the case goes to court. The court creates its own file. This includes charging documents, motions, orders, and final judgments. These records are at the Circuit Clerk's office, not the sheriff.
Coffee County is in the 12th Judicial Circuit. This circuit covers Coffee, Covington, Crenshaw, and Pike Counties. The Circuit Clerk in Elba or Enterprise handles court records.
You can search Alabama court records online through Alacourt. A name search costs $9.99. It covers all Alabama courts. For certified copies, contact the Circuit Clerk directly.
Statewide Criminal Records
For a full background check, go through ALEA. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has the statewide criminal database. The sheriff only has Coffee County records. ALEA has records from all 67 counties.
You can order a background check from ALEA online for $15. By mail, the fee is $25. Results include arrests and convictions from across Alabama. This is more complete than checking one county.
Fingerprint based checks catch more records. You get printed locally. The prints go to ALEA. Many employers require this for jobs involving children or vulnerable adults.
The Coffee County Sheriff's Office can handle fingerprinting. Call ahead to schedule. Results take one to two weeks from ALEA.
Nearby Counties
Coffee County borders several other Alabama counties. Here are links to neighboring county police records pages.
Search Coffee County Records Now
Use the tool below to search police records, arrest records, and jail information in Coffee County, Alabama.