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.
West Plains, Missouri, in Howell County, has about 13,000 residents (2024 Census Bureau estimate). A police report belongs to the agency whose officer wrote it, so which office holds a report from West Plains depends on where the incident happened. This guide names each agency, where its records page is and what the Missouri Sunshine Law 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: West Plains public records, Howell County police reports, West Plains arrest records, West Plains property records, Missouri arrest records and Missouri inmate search.
Which Agency Holds a Report from West Plains
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 West Plains that is the agency that reports to the FBI for the city (filed by the FBI as West Plains Police Department); outside it, the Howell County Sheriff's Office.
Reports from the West Plains Police
For West Plains, SearchSystems opened and checked the West Plains police records page at westplains.gov/departments/emergency-services/police/meet-the-offic... (page title: Records Division | City of West Plains), phone 417-257-2194, 1912 Holiday Lane Attn: Custodian of Records West Plains, MO 65775, Monday through Thursday 6am to 4pm., which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 25, 2026.
The agency that reports for West Plains had 35 violent and 191 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 327 arrests for 2025.
Reports from the Howell County Sheriff's Office
The Howell County Sheriff's Office is the county agency; it had 71 violent and 172 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 242 arrests for 2025.
Its reports come from its records unit.
What the Missouri Sunshine Law Requires
Under the Missouri Sunshine Law the agency must answer a request within 3 business days, and it may charge research time and copying. The request goes to the agency that holds the report, in writing, and does not have to say why the report is wanted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a police report in West Plains?
From the agency that took it. The West Plains police records page is at westplains.gov, phone 417-257-2194; the sheriff's reports come from the Howell County Sheriff's Office.
How long does an agency in West Plains have to answer?
Under the Missouri Sunshine Law, within 3 business days. It may charge research time and copying.
How do I get a report from the Howell County Sheriff's Office?
From its records unit. Under the Missouri Sunshine Law the answer is due within 3 business days.
Is this the official West Plains 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.