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 30, 2026.
Salem, Indiana, in Washington County, has about 6,500 residents (2024 Census Bureau estimate). A police report belongs to the agency whose officer wrote it, so which office holds a report from Salem 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: Salem public records, Washington County police reports, Salem arrest records, Salem warrants, Salem criminal records, Salem court records, Indiana arrest records and Indiana inmate search.
Which Agency Holds a Report from Salem
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 Salem that is the agency that reports to the FBI for the city (filed by the FBI as Salem Police Department); outside it, the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
Reports from the Salem Police
For Salem, SearchSystems opened and checked the Salem police department's page at cityofsalemin.com/index.php/government/police-dept (page title: City of Salem Police Department), phone (812) 883-1634, 38 Public Square Salem, IN 47167, Monday through Friday 4P.M. - 6P.M., which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 26, 2026.
The agency that reports for Salem reported 1,152 arrests for 2025.
Reports from the Washington County Sheriff's Office
The Washington County Sheriff's Office is the county agency; it had 19 violent and 62 property crimes reported for 2024 and reported 146 arrests for 2025.
Its reports come from its records unit.
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 indy.gov/activity/request-a-public-record (page title: ).
A defendant who has been charged gets the report through the case: the Prosecuting Attorney, 812-883-6560, handles discovery for pending cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a police report in Salem?
From the agency that took it. The Salem police department's page is at cityofsalemin.com, phone (812) 883-1634; the sheriff's reports come from the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
How long does an agency in Salem 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 Washington 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 Salem 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.