Fort Wayne Arrest Records

Maintaining law and order in Fort Wayne, from conducting routine traffic stops to executing arrests, falls under the purview of the Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD). Following IC 36-8-3-6, members of this department can arrest an individual based on a warrant or when they have reasonable cause to believe a crime has occurred. Any adult person who enters the FWPD's custody via an arrest is transported to the Allen County Jail, where detention staff will commence "booking" or "processing" to properly record the offender in the system. Juveniles are usually taken to the Allen County Juvenile Center (ACJC) at 2929 Wells Street, Fort Wayne.

The arrest record, sometimes referred to as the arrest report, is a product of booking endeavors and serves as the official account of the arrest. This record contributes to the collective Allen County arrest records, and corresponding details may be incorporated into specific criminal justice documentation, like jail rosters, criminal court dockets, prosecutorial files, and the Indiana criminal history records.

Are Fort Wayne Arrests Public Record?

Yes. In Fort Wayne, Indiana, arrest records are generally accessible to the public. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (APRA) presumes broad access to government documents, including records of Fort Wayne arrests. This means any member of the public can read or obtain copies of these records without a stated reason. Nonetheless, the Act allows an official custodian to refuse a records request or obscure information when:

• Disclosure may affect an ongoing investigation
• Disclosure poses a significant risk of harm to any individual or the general public
• The information may hinder a person's ability to receive a fair trial
• The record pertains to a person under 18 years of age

Confidential arrest information in Fort Wayne can only be accessed by individuals who can demonstrate a direct, tangible interest or those statutorily authorized, such as the counsel of record.

Fort Wayne Crime Rate

Fort Wayne recorded 14,661 offenses in 2023, yielding a crime rate of 5,435.48 per 100,000 people and representing a 0.64% rise from the previous year.

Crimes against persons—assault, homicide, human trafficking, kidnapping, and sex offenses—totaled 4,541, at a rate of 1683.55 per 100,000 persons. Assault offenses (aggravated assault, simple assault, and intimidation) were more frequent in 2023 at 4,181 incidents, though marking a 3.62% decrease from the prior year. Meanwhile, homicides rose by 23.81% from 21 in 2022 to 26 in 2023, with a significant percentage tied to street gangs and narcotics. Cumulative crime statistics from the Fort Wayne Police Department indicate this upward trend continued into 2024, with homicides increasing to 33, a 26.92% rise.

Regarding property crimes, the city's rate in 2023 was 3,013.41 per 100,000 people, down 0.81% from the preceding year. The most prominent offenses—larceny (4,893 incidents) and fraud (1,357 incidents)—plunged 6.12% and 2.02% from the previous year, respectively. According to the FWPD, the downward trend with larceny offenses persisted in 2024, with offenses down by 3%.

Society crimes (e.g., drug/narcotic violations, weapons violations, pornography/obscene material) in Fort Wayne saw a 16.15% increase in 2023, summing up to 1,992 incidents.

(Source:FBI Crime Data Explorer, accessed 16th July, 2025; FWPD Crime Stats: Cumulative December 2024 Crime Statistics; FWPD Annual Reports)

Find Fort Wayne Arrest Records

Locating arrest records in Fort Wayne is relatively straightforward. The recommended method is to submit inquiries online via the City of Fort Wayne's Online Public Records Request Portal. Alternatively, requests can be made at the Fort Wayne Police Department, located at 1 East Main Street, Suite 108, Fort Wayne, Indiana, during administrative hours. It is also possible to call the police desk at (260) 427-1222 to inquire.

Regardless of one's chosen method, specific information must be provided to assist staff in fulfilling the request; otherwise, it may be denied. These copy fees may apply:

• 10 cents per page for non-color copies
• 25 cents per page for color copies; or
• The actual cost of reproducing the document

Moreover, since the Allen County Jail is the place of booking and detention for adults apprehended by the FWPD, one can contact the Allen County Sheriff's Confinement Division, the supervisor of the facility, to retrieve related records.

Mailing Address:
Allen County Jail
417 South Calhoun Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802

Inmate Information:
Jail: (260) 449-7376
Lockup: (260) 449-8314, (260) 449-8315

Free Arrest Record Search in Fort Wayne

The Allen County Sheriff's Inmate Search website is available to anyone looking up FWPD-arrested individuals booked into the Allen County Jail for free. Users can search by first name, last name, or booking date. Results include the arrestee's full legal name, demographic data (such as age and race), physical description (height, weight), and the charges. The FWPD can be contacted for additional public information regarding an arrest. Requests for record inspection are free under IC 5-14-3-8. Another free resource for city arrest information is the FWPD's News Flash.

Interestingly, third-party data aggregators compile and disseminate public arrest records online, some at no cost to the user. One potential drawback with this access method is that the information obtained may be incomplete compared to the government record.

Criminal Background Check in Indiana

The Indiana State Police (ISP) is Indiana's central depository for criminal history record information, which includes arrests, charges, and dispositions (sentences, correctional supervisions, transfers, releases) relating to an identifiable individual accused of a crime. The ISP, whose records date back to the mid-1930s, offers the following background check services:

• Limited Criminal History Search: A name-based check that returns only felonies and class A misdemeanor arrests within Indiana. It is mainly conducted online; the fee is $15.70 per search for non-IN.gov subscribers, $15 per search for IN.govsubscribers, and $7 per search for government agencies unless exempt.

However, parties can mail a request form to Indiana State Police, Criminal History Limited Check, P.O. Box 6188, Indianapolis, IN 46206-6188, or visit the ISP's Central Records Division at the Indiana Government Center, 100 North Senate Avenue, Suite N302, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

• National Criminal History Search: Considered the most comprehensive criminal history report, this fingerprint-based check returns reported arrests, charges, and dispositions from all state and federal jurisdictions in the United States. Fingerprinting appointments are scheduled online or via phone through the state-approved private vendor.

Fort Wayne Inmate Search

Individuals convicted in Fort Wayne may serve short-term sentences at the Allen County Jail or be transferred to a state penitentiary for longer sentences. The county jail also houses those awaiting transfer to the state prison system.

As such, anyone conducting a Fort Wayne inmate search may begin by accessing the Allen County Sheriff's Office's inmate search tool or calling the jail at (260) 449-7376. Where an inmate has been transferred to the state, the Indiana Incarcerated Database Search portal can be queried with a name or DOC number. One can also contact the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) for state inmate details.

Fort Wayne Police Record Lookup

Members of the public can access Fort Wayne police records (911 audio, bodycam footage, incident reports) via the City of Fort Wayne's Online Public Records Request Portal. Each request should adequately specify the sought-after record—the involved party's name, incident date, incident number, etc. Requesters (individuals) must also upload a copy of their unexpired ID and are liable for any applicable fees. While the APRA grants public access to the FWPD's records, requests may be denied if a record is deemed confidential by law and the requester is not qualified to receive it.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Fort Wayne?

In Fort Wayne, an individual's arrests are recorded as part of their permanent criminal history. The Indiana State Police receives reports of arrests for all felonies and certain misdemeanors (typically Class A), as mandated by IC 10-13-3-24. These records are stored until the subject dies or reaches 99 years and has remained crime-free since turning 84 (i.e, they committed no crimes in the previous 15 years).

For arrests not mandated for state reporting, local arresting agencies create and maintain their own records. Local police records are subject to agency retention schedules dictated by law or administrative policy, but the timelines vary by record type. Nevertheless, eligible individuals may qualify for automatic expungement under IC 35-38-9-1 (b) or pursue a court-ordered expungement. An expungement seals and restricts public access to a record.

How Can I Get My Record Expunged for Free in Fort Wayne?

Petitions to expunge a Fort Wayne arrest or criminal record are filed in the Allen County Superior or Circuit Court. Filing is free if an arrest, charge, or juvenile delinquency allegation did not result in a conviction or juvenile adjudication, or if such an outcome was vacated on appeal. IC 35-38-9 governs these expungements.

For other expungements, petitioners are subject to a civil case filing fee, which is currently $157, or $187 (if service of process is included). Indigent petitioners may have this fee reduced or waived (I.C. 35-38-9-8 (d)).

Beyond filing costs, other fees may arise due to the specific requirements and steps of the expungement process. For example, while proceeding pro se avoids legal fees, legal counsel is often recommended to prevent case denial or delays due to paperwork errors or unmet state requirements. To understand the expungement process, individuals can attend local expungement clinics, like the Second Chance Legal Clinic, where volunteer attorneys can explain the process, evaluate eligibility, and even take on cases for free. Low-cost or pro bono legal assistance is also available through various organizations; the Allen County Bar Association provides several helpful links.

It is important to note that expungement timelines, from petition to court ruling, vary by case.

Fort Wayne Warrant Search

Courts exercising jurisdiction in Fort Wayne (the Allen superior and circuit courts) can issue arrest and bench warrants to bring alleged offenders to the justice system. Residents can visit the Allen County Sheriff's Warrants & Fugitive Division with their photo ID to determine if a warrant exists. However, this method carries the risk of immediate arrest if a warrant is found. Other options include searching the Indiana MyCase Portal for chronological case summaries (which may indicate a warrant's issuance) or contacting the relevant clerk's office.

Do Fort Wayne Warrants Expire?

Felony warrants issued in Fort Wayne never expire. As a result, law enforcement can execute such warrants anywhere the subjects are found. Misdemeanor warrants, on the other hand, expire 180 days after issuance, as per IC 35-33-2-4. Notwithstanding, the court can recall or quash any active warrant, given sufficient justification.