Haywood County Police Records

Haywood County police records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office in Waynesville, North Carolina. The county sits in the western mountains near the Blue Ridge Parkway. You can search for arrest records, police reports, and inmate data through the Sheriff's Office. The county also has a public records request process for getting copies of police records. The county seat is Waynesville, and the Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for all areas outside of town limits.

Haywood County Sheriff's Office

The Haywood County Sheriff's Office is at 1620 Brown Avenue in Waynesville, NC 28786. The phone number is (828) 452-6768 and fax is (828) 452-6666. The office keeps arrest records, police reports, inmate records, and the sex offender registry for the county.

The detention center phone is (828) 452-6670. Select option 1 for inmate information. The jail holds up to 150 inmates. Visitation requires an appointment booked at least 24 hours ahead. Call (866) 340-7879 to set up a visit. Visitors need a valid photo ID, and those under 15 must come with a parent or guardian. Booking records from the detention center are part of the police records system in Haywood County.

Haywood County Police Records Requests

The Sheriff's Office accepts public records requests through its website. Visit the Haywood County Sheriff's public records request page to start the process.

The request process is governed by Chapter 132 of the NC General Statutes. The Sheriff's Office only provides records that it prepared, collected, or maintained. Submit your request and a representative will contact you for any needed details. The office responds as fast as it can. Law enforcement recordings are governed by NCGS 132-1.4A. Video release may require a court order under certain sections of the law.

Note: Body camera and dash camera footage may need a court order for release in Haywood County.

Haywood County Crime Data

Crime in Haywood County dropped 15% between 2016 and 2019. In 2019, the county had 953 total crimes. That breaks down to 118 violent crimes and 835 property crimes. Violent crimes included 21 rapes, 2 robberies, and 95 aggravated assaults. No murders or manslaughter cases were reported that year.

Property crimes made up most of the total. There were 366 burglaries, 405 larceny-thefts, 64 motor vehicle thefts, and 6 arson cases. Each crime report creates police records that are kept by the agency that responded. The Sheriff's Office holds records for the county. Town police departments hold records for cases within their areas. All of these are public under North Carolina law in Haywood County.

Haywood County Court Records

The Clerk of Superior Court is at 285 North Main Street, Suite 1500, in Waynesville, NC 28786. Phone is (828) 454-6501. The clerk handles civil, criminal, family, and probate court records. Certified copies cost $25. Uncertified copies are $2. Payment methods include certified checks, money orders, cash, and credit cards.

Public access to court records is available in person at the courthouse. The NC eCourts portal also covers Haywood County for online searches. Search by name or case number. Basic case data is free. For full documents, contact the clerk. Court records tied to criminal cases include charges, hearing dates, and outcomes. These are part of the broader police records available in Haywood County.

How to Search Haywood County Police Records

Start with the agency that handled the case. For county matters, go to the Sheriff's Office. For town cases, contact the local police department. Then decide if you need online or in-person access.

• Call the Sheriff's Office at (828) 452-6768
• Submit a public records request online
• Visit the courthouse for court case records
• Use NC eCourts for online case searches
• Contact the detention center at (828) 452-6670 for jail data

The NC DAC offender search covers state inmates from Haywood County. The NC Sex Offender Registry is free and searchable. The NC SBI offers personal background checks for $14 with fingerprints. These tools give you different angles on police records tied to Haywood County.

Haywood County Jail Visitation

Visiting the detention center requires advance booking. Call (866) 340-7879 at least 24 hours before your visit. You need a valid photo ID. Visitors under 15 must have a parent or guardian present. Each visit allows one adult and one child.

Leave purses, bags, phones, cameras, tobacco, and writing materials at home or in your car. A dress code is in place. Shirts and shoes are required. Each inmate may approve up to 5 visitors. The detention center holds booking records and charge data that are part of the Haywood County police records system. Ask staff for records during your visit if needed.

Public Records Access in Haywood County

Police records in Haywood County are public under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132. Anyone can ask for them. You do not need to explain why. The agency must respond as quickly as it can.

Exempt records include active investigation files, juvenile cases, and data with Social Security numbers. The Sheriff's Office notes that law enforcement recordings are governed by NCGS 132-1.4A. Body camera and dash camera footage may need a court order for release under that law. Most routine police records in Haywood County are available without restriction. Contact the Sheriff's Office for questions about what records are available and how to get copies. If your request is denied, you can challenge the decision through the legal process outlined in state law. The goal of the law is to keep government open and accountable to the people of Haywood County.

Local Police Departments in Haywood County

Haywood County has several towns with their own police forces. Waynesville, Canton, Clyde, and Maggie Valley all have local departments. Each one keeps its own police records. If the incident happened in one of these towns, contact that department first.

The Sheriff's Office covers all areas outside of town limits. It also runs the county jail and handles warrants. For cases that cross town and county lines, the Sheriff's Office coordinates with local police. If you are not sure which agency has the police record you need in Haywood County, call the Sheriff at (828) 452-6768. Staff can help direct you to the right office. For state highway incidents, the NC State Highway Patrol may hold the records. As of July 2025, state patrol requests go through ncshp.gov. All other police records stay with the local agencies in Haywood County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Haywood County. Check the right county for police records based on location.