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 26, 2026.
Amherst, Ohio, in Lorain 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 Amherst depends on where the incident happened. This guide names each agency, where its records page is and what the Ohio 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: Amherst public records, Lorain County police reports, Amherst arrest records, Amherst warrants, Amherst inmate search, Amherst criminal records, Ohio arrest records and Ohio inmate search.
Which Agency Holds a Report from Amherst
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 Amherst that is the agency that reports to the FBI for the city (filed by the FBI as Amherst Police Department); outside it, the Lorain County Sheriff's Office.
The FBI's list also carries the Lorain County Metropolitan Park District and Lorain County Drug Task Force (other agency), each with a records office of its own.
Reports from the Amherst Police
For Amherst, SearchSystems opened and checked the Amherst police department's page at amherstpolice.net, phone 440-988-2625, 911 North Lake Street Amherst, OH 44001, which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 26, 2026.
The agency that reports for Amherst had 8 violent and 121 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 282 arrests for 2025.
Reports from the Lorain County Sheriff's Office
The Lorain County Sheriff's Office is the county agency; it had 84 violent and 343 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 82 arrests for 2025.
Its reports come from its records unit, reached through the office at 440-329-3709. The office's page SearchSystems verified is its custody page, at loraincountysheriff.com/inmates-jail/self-booking (page title: Self Booking | The Lorain County Sheriff’s Office), phone 440-329-3709, which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 23, 2026.
What the Ohio Public Records Act Requires
Under the Ohio Public Records Act the agency must answer a request promptly, within a reasonable period of time, and it may charge the actual cost of 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 Amherst?
From the agency that took it. The Amherst police department's page is at amherstpolice.net, phone 440-988-2625; the sheriff's reports come from the Lorain County Sheriff's Office.
How long does an agency in Amherst have to answer?
Under the Ohio Public Records Act, promptly, within a reasonable period of time. It may charge the actual cost of copying.
How do I get a report from the Lorain County Sheriff's Office?
From its records unit, reached through the office at 440-329-3709. Under the Ohio Public Records Act the answer is due promptly, within a reasonable period of time.
Is this the official Amherst 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.