Under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70), the public has the right to inspect and copy public records. The Gordon County Sheriff's Office is committed to transparency and compliance with this law.
Who Can Request Public Records
Anyone may request public reports and records. You do not have to be involved in the incident or accident to make a request.
Identification may be requested, but it is not required to submit a request.
How to Submit a Request
Public records requests may be submitted using any of the following methods:
- Online
- By phone
- By mail
- Walk-in / in person at the Sheriff's Office
To request a report, contact Terry Swaim:
terry.swaim@gordoncountyga.gov
Request Form Information
Please provide the following information when submitting your request:
- First name
- Middle name
- Last name
- Contact phone number
- Contact email address
- Date of incident or accident
- Case number
- Location
- Type of report: incident, accident, or other
Fees
Effective August 15, 2026
Pursuant to GCSO ORR Policy No. 33 and O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71(c)(1)-(2), the hourly rate used to calculate search, retrieval, redaction, and transmission fees is $21.68 per hour. This rate does not exceed the salary of the lowest-paid full-time GCSO employee with the necessary skill and training to perform the request.
Records will be transmitted electronically whenever possible. Copying fees may apply: $0.10 per paper page, $0.25 per disk, and $5.00 or $10.00 per thumb drive, depending on the drive size.
The first 15 minutes of search, retrieval, redaction, and transmission time are provided at no charge. After the first 15 minutes, each additional 15-minute increment is billed at $5.42.
- 15 minutes total: $0.00
- 30 minutes total: $5.42
- 45 minutes total: $10.84
- 60 minutes total: $16.26
Invoices for amounts under $30.00 will be sent with the records and are due within 90 days of the date of electronic transmission or receipt. If the anticipated cost exceeds $25.00, the requester will be notified and must either provide written confirmation that payment will be made within 90 days or prepay the anticipated cost. Prepayment is required when the anticipated cost exceeds $500.00.
Fees are subject to change based on salary increases and applicable law or policy updates.
Response Time
Under Georgia law, the agency must respond within three (3) business days of receiving your request. The response may include the records, an estimated timeline for production, or a denial with legal basis.
Custodian of Records
Gordon County Sheriff's Office
Attn: Public Records
2700 Highway 41 North, Calhoun, Georgia 30701
Phone: 706-629-1245
Email: info@gordonsheriff.org