Reviewed and updated October 9, 2026 by the SearchSystems.net editorial team. The arrest and crime counts are the ones each agency reported to the FBI, as the FBI held them on October 8, 2026. Every office link was opened and checked against the office's own site between September 24, 2026 and October 9, 2026.
Batesville, Arkansas, in Independence County, has about 12,000 residents (2024 Census Bureau estimate). A police report belongs to the agency whose officer wrote it, so which office holds a report from Batesville depends on where the incident happened. This guide names each agency, where its records page is and what the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act requires of it.
This guide covers which agency, the city's records page, the sheriff's reports, what the law requires and common questions.
Related guides: Batesville public records, Independence County police reports, Batesville arrest records, Batesville warrants, Batesville inmate search, Batesville property records, Arkansas arrest records and Arkansas inmate search.
Which Agency Holds a Report from Batesville
The report of an incident is released by the agency that took it; the court and the jail hold their own records of the same event, but not the report.
Inside Batesville that is the agency that reports to the FBI for the city (filed by the FBI as Batesville Police Department); outside it, the Independence County Sheriff's Office.
The Cave City Police Department is listed by the FBI across two counties including Independence County, so its arrests are not broken out for Independence County here.
Reports from the Batesville Police
For Batesville, SearchSystems opened and checked the Batesville police records page at batesvillepolicear.gov/foia-requests (page title: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests | Batesville Police Department, AR), phone 870-569-8020, 710 S. St. Louis Batesville, AR 72501, which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 26, 2026.
The agency that reports for Batesville had 64 violent and 163 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 322 arrests for 2025.
Reports from the Independence County Sheriff's Office
The Independence County Sheriff's Office is the county agency; it had 104 violent and 233 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 187 arrests for 2025.
Its reports come from its records unit. The office's page SearchSystems verified is its custody page, at independencesheriff.org/current-inmate-list (page title: Independence County Sheriff's Office, AR), which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 24, 2026.
What the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act Requires
Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act the agency must answer a request within 3 working days when the record is not immediately available, and it may charge the actual cost of copying. The request goes to the agency that holds the report, in writing, and does not have to say why the report is wanted.
A defendant who has been charged gets the report through the case: the Prosecuting Attorney, 870-261-1747, handles discovery for pending cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a police report in Batesville?
From the agency that took it. The Batesville police records page is at batesvillepolicear.gov/foia-requests, phone 870-569-8020; the sheriff's reports come from the Independence County Sheriff's Office.
How long does an agency in Batesville have to answer?
Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, within 3 working days when the record is not immediately available. It may charge the actual cost of copying.
How do I get a report from the Independence County Sheriff's Office?
From its records unit. Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act the answer is due within 3 working days when the record is not immediately available.
Is this the official Batesville website?
No. SearchSystems.net is an independent public records guide, online since 1997. It links to the official city, county, court and state offices described above and does not hold records, charge for them or take requests.