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 23, 2026 and September 25, 2026.
Canton, Georgia, in Cherokee County, has about 38,000 residents (2024 Census Bureau estimate). A police report belongs to the agency whose officer wrote it, so which office holds a report from Canton depends on where the incident happened. This guide names each agency, where its records page is and what the Georgia Open Records 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: Canton public records, Cherokee County police reports, Canton arrest records, Canton warrants, Canton inmate search, Canton criminal records, Georgia arrest records and Georgia inmate search.
Which Agency Holds a Report from Canton
A crime, incident or collision report belongs to the agency whose officer wrote it, and that agency releases it, not the court, the jail or the prosecutor.
Inside Canton that is the agency that reports to the FBI for the city (filed by the FBI as Canton Police Department); outside it, the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.
The FBI's list also places the State Patrol at Canton in Cherokee County; a report taken on a state highway by it comes from that agency's own records office.
The FBI's list also carries Cherokee County Board of Education and the Cherokee County Marshal (other agency), each with a records office of its own.
Reports from the Canton Police
For Canton, SearchSystems opened and checked the Canton police department's page at cantonga.gov/government/departments/police/faqs (page title: Canton Police FAQs | Canton, GA), phone 770-720-4883, 2565 Old Milton Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30009, Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 25, 2026.
The agency that reports for Canton had 47 violent and 249 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 490 arrests for 2025.
Reports from the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office
The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office is the county agency; it had 173 violent and 789 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 2,292 arrests for 2025.
Its reports come from its records unit. The office's page SearchSystems verified is its custody page, at sheriff.cherokeecountyga.gov/jaillist/inmate-search-report.php (page title: Cherokee County | Inmate Search), which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 23, 2026.
What the Georgia Open Records Act Requires
Under the Georgia Open Records Act the agency must answer a request within 3 business days, and it may charge for search, retrieval and copying after the first quarter hour. The request goes to the agency that holds the report, in writing, and does not have to say why the report is wanted.
Any other county record goes through the county records request page SearchSystems verified, at cherokeecountyga.gov/solicitor-general/OPEN-RECORDS-REQUEST (page title: Office of the Solicitor-General | Cherokee County, Georgia).
A defendant who has been charged gets the report through the case: the District Attorney handles discovery for pending cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a police report in Canton?
From the agency that took it. The Canton police department's page is at cantonga.gov, phone 770-720-4883; the sheriff's reports come from the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.
How long does an agency in Canton have to answer?
Under the Georgia Open Records Act, within 3 business days. It may charge for search, retrieval and copying after the first quarter hour.
Who has a crash report from a state highway in Canton?
The state agency whose officer took it; the FBI lists the State Patrol at Canton in Cherokee County.
How do I get a report from the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office?
From its records unit. Under the Georgia Open Records Act the answer is due within 3 business days.
Is this the official Canton 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.