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 September 26, 2026.
Van Buren, Arkansas, in Crawford County, has about 24,000 residents (2024 Census Bureau estimate). A police report belongs to the agency whose officer wrote it, so which office holds a report from Van Buren 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: Van Buren public records, Crawford County police reports, Van Buren arrest records, Van Buren warrants, Van Buren inmate search, Van Buren property records, Arkansas arrest records and Arkansas inmate search.
Which Agency Holds a Report from Van Buren
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 Van Buren that is the agency that reports to the FBI for the city (filed by the FBI as Van Buren Police Department); outside it, the Crawford County Sheriff's Office.
The FBI's list also carries the State Park at Lake Fort Smith State Park (state agency), with a records office of its own.
Reports from the Van Buren Police
For Van Buren, SearchSystems opened and checked the Van Buren police department's page at vanburenpd.org (page title: Van Buren Police Department), which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 26, 2026.
The agency that reports for Van Buren had 52 violent and 519 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 549 arrests for 2025.
Reports from the Crawford County Sheriff's Office
The Crawford County Sheriff's Office is the county agency; it had 63 violent and 197 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 467 arrests for 2025.
Its reports come from its records unit. The office's page SearchSystems verified is its jail page, at crawfordcountysheriff.org/inmates (page title: Inmates | Crawford County Sheriff), which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 24, 2026.
What the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act Requires
The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act sets the rules: an answer within 3 working days when the record is not immediately available, at a charge of the actual cost of copying, from the agency that holds the report.
A defendant who has been charged gets the report through the case: the Prosecuting Attorney, 479-474-5000, handles discovery for pending cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a police report in Van Buren?
From the agency that took it. The Van Buren police department's page is at vanburenpd.org; the sheriff's reports come from the Crawford County Sheriff's Office.
How long does an agency in Van Buren 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 Crawford 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 Van Buren 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.