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 2, 2026.
Dayton, Tennessee, in Rhea County, has about 7,800 residents (2024 Census Bureau estimate). A police report belongs to the agency whose officer wrote it, so which office holds a report from Dayton depends on where the incident happened. This guide names each agency, where its records page is and what the Tennessee 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: Dayton public records, Rhea County police reports, Dayton arrest records, Dayton warrants, Dayton inmate search, Dayton criminal records, Tennessee arrest records and Tennessee inmate search.
Which Agency Holds a Report from Dayton
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 Dayton that is the agency that reports to the FBI for the city (filed by the FBI as Dayton Police Department); outside it, the Rhea County Sheriff's Office.
Reports from the Dayton Police
For Dayton, SearchSystems opened and checked the Dayton police department's page at daytontn.net/departments/police_department.php (page title: City Police), phone 423-775-8403, which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 26, 2026.
The agency that reports for Dayton had 16 violent and 61 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 290 arrests for 2024.
Reports from the Rhea County Sheriff's Office
The Rhea County Sheriff's Office is the county agency; it had 52 violent and 111 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 795 arrests for 2025.
Its reports come from its records unit, reached through the office at 423-775-7832. The office's page SearchSystems verified is its jail page, at rheacountytn.gov/contact-us-2 (page title: Contact Us | Rhea County Sheriff's Office), phone 423-775-7832, 7800 Rhea County Hwy Dayton, TN 37321, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 23, 2026.
What the Tennessee Public Records Act Requires
Under the Tennessee Public Records Act the agency must answer a request within 7 business days, and it may charge copying, and labor after the first hour. 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 Dayton?
From the agency that took it. The Dayton police department's page is at daytontn.net, phone 423-775-8403; the sheriff's reports come from the Rhea County Sheriff's Office.
How long does an agency in Dayton have to answer?
Under the Tennessee Public Records Act, within 7 business days. It may charge copying, and labor after the first hour.
How do I get a report from the Rhea County Sheriff's Office?
From its records unit, reached through the office at 423-775-7832. Under the Tennessee Public Records Act the answer is due within 7 business days.
Is this the official Dayton 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.