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.
Merrillville, Indiana, in Lake County, has about 37,000 residents (2024 Census Bureau estimate). A police report belongs to the agency whose officer wrote it, so which office holds a report from Merrillville 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: Merrillville public records, Lake County police reports, Merrillville arrest records, Merrillville warrants, Merrillville inmate search, Merrillville criminal records, Indiana arrest records and Indiana inmate search.
Which Agency Holds a Report from Merrillville
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 Merrillville that is the agency that reports to the FBI for the city (filed by the FBI as Merrillville 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 Merrillville Police
For Merrillville, SearchSystems opened and checked the Merrillville police records page at merrillville.in.gov/living-here/police-department/file-a-police-report (page title: File a Police Report | Town of Merrillville), phone 219-769-5711, which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 25, 2026.
The agency that reports for Merrillville had 47 violent and 500 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 505 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 Merrillville?
From the agency that took it. The Merrillville police records page is at merrillville.in.gov, phone 219-769-5711; the sheriff's reports come from the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
How long does an agency in Merrillville 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 Merrillville 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.