Waterford Township Arrest Records
Waterford Township arrest records are public documents created when the Waterford Police Department takes someone into custody. These records come from several sources: the police department itself, the 51st District Court, and Oakland County's CLEMIS jail database. Anyone can search these records. Most are free to view online, though some official background checks carry a fee. This page lists where to find current inmate data, court case records, and state-level criminal history for people connected to Waterford Township.
Waterford Township Overview
Waterford Police Department
The Waterford Police Department is the main law enforcement agency for the township. Officers handle patrol, investigations, and arrests within Waterford Township limits. When someone is arrested, the department creates an arrest record that logs the person's name, date of birth, the charges, and other details tied to the incident. These records stay with the department and are also forwarded to Oakland County and state systems.
The department is located at 5150 Civic Center Dr, Waterford, MI 48329. For non-emergency matters, call 248-674-0351. For emergencies, always dial 911. You can also visit the department's official page at waterfordmi.gov/police for contact information, general public safety news, and department resources. In-person visits during business hours are the best way to ask about specific reports or records requests.
The department operates under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, which means most arrest records and police reports are available to the public on request. Some information may be withheld if it could affect an ongoing investigation or if it involves a juvenile. Written requests are common for detailed incident reports.
The Waterford Township website at waterfordmi.gov covers broader township services, but the police section has the most relevant content for those looking into arrest activity.
The photo below shows the Waterford Police Department's web presence, which is a useful starting point for contacting the agency directly.
The department's site lists hours, emergency contacts, and department news that may include recent arrests or public safety updates.
Oakland County CLEMIS Inmate Search
Once someone is booked in Oakland County, their information enters the CLEMIS (Court and Law Enforcement Management Information System) database. This system is shared across Oakland County agencies, including the Waterford Police Department. It gives the public a way to check who is currently held in county custody without calling a jail directly.
The CLEMIS inmate search tool is free to use. It shows current inmates only. It does not show historical booking data or people who have already been released. You can search by name and view basic booking details, charges, and bond information. Access the tool at apps.clemis.org. The entry point for the CLEMIS inmate locator is at apps.clemis.org/ClemisInmLoc if the direct link does not load.
Keep in mind that the CLEMIS database reflects live jail data. If a person has been transferred, released, or is being held elsewhere, they may not appear. For confirmed booking history, you would need to contact the Oakland County Sheriff's Office directly.
51st District Court Records
The 51st District Court serves Waterford Township and handles misdemeanor cases, ordinance violations, civil infractions, and preliminary hearings for felonies. When someone is arrested in Waterford Township, their case typically moves through this court first. Court records from these cases are separate from police arrest records but contain much of the same information, plus hearing dates, dispositions, and sentencing details.
The court is located at 5100 Civic Center Dr, Waterford, MI 48329, just a block from the police department. Phone: 248-674-4658. You can visit the clerk's office in person to look up case records. Michigan also has a statewide court search tool at courts.michigan.gov/case-search that covers many district and circuit courts, including cases from the 51st District. Search by name, case number, or date range. Some older records may not appear in the online system and will require an in-person lookup.
Court records include charges filed, plea information, verdicts, and any sentences handed down. If you want to know what happened after an arrest, the court record is the place to look. These records are public under Michigan court rules, though some types of cases may be sealed.
The image below shows the Waterford Township web portal, which links to both the police department and district court information.
The township site is a useful hub for finding the right department or contact when you need official records.
Michigan State Criminal History: ICHAT
For a broader view of someone's criminal record in Michigan, the state offers ICHAT, the Internet Criminal History Access Tool. This system pulls from statewide records and shows convictions, arrests, and other documented criminal history across all Michigan counties, not just Oakland. ICHAT is run by the Michigan State Police.
A search costs $10 and is authorized under MCL 28.241. You access it through the Michigan government portal at apps.michigan.gov. Results are instant once you pay and submit the search. ICHAT is the most thorough public criminal history tool available in Michigan. It covers all counties and goes back many years. If you need a complete picture of someone's Michigan record, this is the right tool to use.
Note that ICHAT shows only Michigan records. Federal charges or records from other states will not appear. For those, you would need to contact federal court systems or use a national background check service.
Other State Record Sources
Michigan maintains a few other databases that are useful depending on what you are looking for. Each one covers a different piece of the public records picture.
The Offender Tracking Information System, known as OTIS, is run by the Michigan Department of Corrections. It tracks people who are currently incarcerated in state prison or on parole. If someone was convicted of a felony and is serving state time, you can find them at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2. The search is free and returns basic offender details, facility location, and sentence information. It does not include people held in county jails or those who have fully completed their sentences.
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry is a separate public database. It is maintained by the Michigan State Police and available at mspsor.com. You can search by name or by location. Listings include registration status, address, and offense details for people required to register under Michigan law. This database is updated regularly and is free to search.
These tools work best when used together. CLEMIS for current county jail status, OTIS for state prison, ICHAT for full criminal history, and the court search for case outcomes. No single database covers everything.
- CLEMIS Inmate Search: current Oakland County jail bookings
- ICHAT: full Michigan criminal history, $10 per search
- OTIS: Michigan Department of Corrections, state prison and parole
- Michigan Sex Offender Registry: statewide, free search
- Michigan Court Case Search: district and circuit court records statewide
Michigan FOIA and Record Expungement
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, found at MCL 15.231 and related sections, gives the public the right to request records from state and local agencies. That includes arrest records, incident reports, and booking logs held by the Waterford Police Department. Requests must be made in writing. Agencies generally have five business days to respond, though extensions are allowed. They may charge a fee to cover copying and staff time.
If a record is denied in full or in part, you have the right to appeal. Agencies must tell you why they withheld information. Common reasons include active investigations, privacy exemptions, or juvenile records. A clear, specific request gets a faster and more complete response than a vague one. Include the date of the incident, the name of the person involved, and any case or report number you have.
Michigan also has a Clean Slate law under MCL 780.621g that allows some people to have their criminal records set aside. This process does not delete the record but limits who can see it. If a record has been expunged, it may not appear in public searches. ICHAT will not show set-aside convictions in most cases. If you believe a record should have been removed but still shows up, consulting with a Michigan attorney is the best step.
County and Nearby Cities
Waterford Township is part of Oakland County. Oakland County's CLEMIS system handles inmate lookups for the whole county. Nearby cities with arrest record resources include Troy and Warren.