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 October 4, 2026.
Gary, Indiana, in Lake County, has about 68,000 residents (2024 Census Bureau estimate). A police report belongs to the agency whose officer wrote it, so which office holds a report from Gary depends on where the incident happened. This guide names each agency, where its records page is and what the Indiana Access to Public 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: Gary public records, Lake County police reports, Gary arrest records, Gary warrants, Gary inmate search, Gary criminal records, Indiana arrest records and Indiana inmate search.
Which Agency Holds a Report from Gary
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 Gary that is the agency that reports to the FBI for the city (filed by the FBI as Gary Police Department); outside it, the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
The FBI's list also carries Indiana University at Northwest (campus police) and Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad (other agency), each with a records office of its own.
Reports from the Gary Police
For Gary, SearchSystems opened and checked the Gary police department's page at gary.gov/police (page title: Gary Police Department), phone (219) 881-7300, 555 Polk St. Gary, IN 46402, which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 25, 2026.
The agency that reports for Gary had 936 violent and 2,068 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 1,477 arrests for 2025.
Reports from the Lake County Sheriff's Office
The Lake County Sheriff's Office is the county agency; it had 54 violent and 126 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 888 arrests for 2025.
Its reports come from its records unit. The office's page SearchSystems verified is its jail page, at lakecountysheriff.com/page.php?id=30 (page title: Lake County Sheriff | Lake County Sheriff), 2293 N. Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307-1854, which answered when SearchSystems opened it on October 4, 2026.
What the Indiana Access to Public Records Act Requires
The Indiana Access to Public Records Act sets the rules: an answer within 24 hours for a request made in person and 7 days for one sent by mail or email, at a charge of a copy fee set by the agency, within statutory limits, from the agency that holds the report.
Any other county record goes through the county records request page SearchSystems verified, at lakecountyin.gov/departments/lc911/public-records-request (page title: Public Records Request).
A defendant who has been charged gets the report through the case: the Prosecuting Attorney, 219-755-3720, handles discovery for pending cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a police report in Gary?
From the agency that took it. The Gary police department's page is at gary.gov/police, phone (219) 881-7300; the sheriff's reports come from the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
How long does an agency in Gary have to answer?
Under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, within 24 hours for a request made in person and 7 days for one sent by mail or email. It may charge a copy fee set by the agency, within statutory limits.
How do I get a report from the Lake County Sheriff's Office?
From its records unit. Under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act the answer is due within 24 hours for a request made in person and 7 days for one sent by mail or email.
Is this the official Gary 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.