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 9, 2026.
Watertown, New York, in Jefferson County, has about 24,000 residents (2024 Census Bureau estimate). A police report belongs to the agency whose officer wrote it, so which office holds a report from Watertown depends on where the incident happened. This guide names each agency, where its records page is and what the Freedom of Information 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: Watertown public records, Jefferson County police reports, Watertown arrest records, Watertown warrants, Watertown inmate search, Watertown criminal records, New York arrest records and New York inmate search.
Which Agency Holds a Report from Watertown
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 Watertown that is the agency that reports to the FBI for the city (filed by the FBI as Watertown Police Department); outside it, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
Reports from the Watertown Police
For Watertown, SearchSystems opened and checked the Watertown police department's page at watertown-ny.gov/departments/PoliceDepartment/PoliceFAQ (page title: City of Watertown, New York | Police FAQ), phone 315-782-2233, 911 Location 751 Waterman Drive Watertown, NY 13601, Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:45 PM., which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 25, 2026.
The agency that reports for Watertown had 156 violent and 973 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 964 arrests for 2025.
Reports from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is the county agency; it had 21 violent and 135 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 665 arrests for 2024.
Its reports come from its records unit, reached through the office at (315) 786-2688. The office's page SearchSystems verified is its jail page, at jeffersoncountyny.gov/corrections-contact-numbers (page title: Welcome to Jefferson County, New York | Corrections Contact Information), phone (315) 786-2688, 175 Arsenal Street Watertown, NY 13601, which answered when SearchSystems opened it on October 9, 2026.
What the Freedom of Information Law Requires
The Freedom of Information Law sets the rules: an answer within 5 business days, at least with an acknowledgment and a date for the full answer, at a charge of copying at 25 cents a page, from the agency that holds the report.
Any other county record goes through the county records request page SearchSystems verified, at jeffersoncountyny.gov/searchcopyrequests (page title: Welcome to Jefferson County, New York | Search & Copy Requests).
A defendant who has been charged gets the report through the case: the District Attorney, (315)785-3053, handles discovery for pending cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a police report in Watertown?
From the agency that took it. The Watertown police department's page is at watertown-ny.gov, phone 315-782-2233; the sheriff's reports come from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
How long does an agency in Watertown have to answer?
Under the Freedom of Information Law, within 5 business days, at least with an acknowledgment and a date for the full answer. It may charge copying at 25 cents a page.
How do I get a report from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office?
From its records unit, reached through the office at (315) 786-2688. Under the Freedom of Information Law the answer is due within 5 business days, at least with an acknowledgment and a date for the full answer.
Is this the official Watertown 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.