Kent County Police Blotter
Kent County police blotter records cover the middle of Delaware, from the farms outside Smyrna down through Dover and into Harrington. Dover is the state capital and the county seat. The Dover Police Department, the Kent County Levy Court, the Harrington Police Department, and Delaware State Police Troop 3 all feed the county's police blotter. This page shows where to look, who to call, and how to file a FOIA request for any Kent County police blotter entry you need to pull.
Kent County Overview
Kent County Levy Court and FOIA
Kent County launched a dedicated FOIA request module on September 25, 2025. The county's Public Information Officer, Kelly Pitts, handles incoming requests. Call (302) 744-2304 or email PIO@kentcountyde.gov. The county office sits at 555 Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901.
You can submit a Kent County police blotter request four ways. Use the online form at the Levy Court Public Records Center. Mail a written request to Kelly Pitts at the Bay Road address. Fax the form to 302-736-2279. Or send an email to the PIO inbox. Most routine items do not need a formal FOIA. Check the county site first since much of the data is already posted.
The county page at kentcountyde.gov walks through the steps. One submission is enough for requests that cross several county departments. For general Levy Court questions, call the admin line at 302-744-2305.
Note: Under Delaware FOIA, a request itself may count as a public record, so avoid attaching items you would not want shared.
Dover Police Department Records
The Dover Police Department is the largest agency in Kent County. The department recently marked its 100th anniversary and holds CALEA accreditation. Call (302) 736-7111 for the main line. Email contact@doverpolice.org. The address is 400 S. Queen Street, Dover, DE 19904.
The Dover Police site hosts a full set of tools for the Kent County public. You can pull up the interactive crime map, annual reports, PSA videos, and sex offender notifications. The Behavioral Health Unit handles mental health calls. The Police Athletic League runs youth programs. For a report copy, use the Obtain Police Report form.
Dover submits its crime data to the FBI through the State Bureau of Identification. That data flows into NIBRS, the national reporting system. A Dover police blotter entry ends up as a line in the Crime in Delaware report each year.
Kent County Warrant Search and DELJIS
Active warrants from Kent County and the rest of the state sit in the DELJIS wanted persons file. The search is free and open to the public. Last name is required. First name is optional but cuts the list down.
Run a search at pubsrv.deljis.delaware.gov. The file holds over 70,000 open warrants from across Delaware. Only sworn officers can make an arrest based on a hit. Recent status changes may not show up right away. A warrant listed as active may have been served or cleared. Anonymous tips go to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-847-3333.
Harrington Police Blotter and FOIA
Harrington is the second largest police department in Kent County. The city's FOIA Coordinator is Emma Werner at Harrington City Hall, 106 Dorman St., Harrington, DE 19952. Call (302) 398-4476 with questions.
File a Harrington police records request at harrington.delaware.gov. The request has to be in writing. Use the form on the site or the contact info above. Be clear about what records you want. Note dates, names, case numbers, and any other details that help. The city has 15 business days to reply.
Milford also falls partly in Kent County. Chief Kenneth L. Brown leads the Milford Police Department at 400 Northeast Front Street, Milford, DE 19963. The department runs 32 officers and covers areas in both Kent and Sussex counties.
Kent County Court Records and Sheriff
Criminal court cases tied to a Kent County police blotter arrest move through three courts. The Superior Court hears felonies. The Court of Common Pleas takes misdemeanors. The Justice of the Peace Court covers traffic and minor cases. Pull dockets at courts.delaware.gov/CourtConnect.
The Kent County Sheriff's Office runs court security, warrant service, and civil process. Contact is through Kent County Levy Court Administration at 302-744-2305. Inmate lookups go through the Delaware Department of Correction online portal at doc.delaware.gov.
State Records for Kent County Police Blotter Items
Statewide press releases from the Delaware State Police cover many Kent County police blotter incidents. Troop 3 sits in central Delaware and handles the rural parts of the county. Read the full feed at dsp.delaware.gov/newsroom.
For fire investigation records, the Kent County Fire Marshal FOIA contact is Brian A. Schad at 1537 Chestnut Grove Road, Dover, DE 19904. Call (302) 739-4447 or send a fax to (302) 739-3696. File through statefiremarshal.delaware.gov.
For state-level FOIA outside these lanes, the State of Delaware FOIA Portal routes your request to the right agency. Pick the agency, fill out the form, and send it in. The standard 15 business day clock applies under 29 Del. C. § 10003(h).
Note: Kent County police blotter items tied to active investigations stay exempt from release under 29 Del. C. § 10002(o)(3) until the case closes.
Types of Kent County Police Blotter Records
Kent County police blotter records run from simple arrest logs to full case files. The format depends on the agency. Dover posts brief press items. Harrington sends longer news posts. The state police put out full releases with charges, ages, and sometimes photos.
A Kent County police blotter request can pull any of these items:
- Arrest reports with name, age, and charge codes
- Incident reports from calls the agency took
- Crash reports tied to traffic stops
- Citation and summons counts
- Monthly or annual statistical reports
- Sex offender notifications for the county
Dover breaks its data out by Part I and Part II offenses in the annual report. Part I covers serious crime like homicide, rape, robbery, and burglary. Part II covers less serious calls. Both flow into the state crime data feed.
Fees and Response Times for Kent County Records
Kent County does not charge for a basic FOIA reply, but copy fees can apply. The Levy Court PIO gives a cost estimate before work starts on any big pull. The 15 business day rule applies to every agency in the county. If the file is large or crosses multiple departments, the PIO can ask for more time.
Dover Police charge for paper copies of reports. The department can set the exact fee based on staff time. Call (302) 736-7111 to ask before you file. Harrington charges reasonable fees for copy work under state FOIA as well.
A Kent County police blotter denial can be challenged with the Attorney General. File a petition explaining why you think the denial was wrong. The AG then issues a formal opinion. Past opinions sit in the public archive at attorneygeneral.delaware.gov/opinions. The opinions set the bar for what agencies in the county can and cannot hold back. Reading a few recent ones before you file a Kent County police blotter request saves time and helps you shape the ask.
Kent County Cities Police Blotter Pages
Pick a Kent County city below for the full local police blotter guide, contact info, and the right records unit.