Access Wabasha County Police Blotter
The Wabasha County Sheriff's Office in Wabasha handles law enforcement, police blotter records, warrant data, jail operations, and public safety services across the county under Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act. Sheriff Rodney L. Bartsh has led the office since 2002. This page covers how to find and request police blotter records, what the county's warrant database contains, and how to contact the right office for specific records or inmate information.
Wabasha County Sheriff's Office
The Wabasha County Sheriff's Office is at 848 17th Street East, Wabasha, MN 55981-5033. The main phone is (651) 565-3361 and the fax is (651) 565-3843. Sheriff Rodney L. Bartsh can be reached at rbartsh@co.wabasha.mn.us. With more than 30 years of law enforcement experience and now in his fifth term as Sheriff, Bartsh brings significant institutional knowledge to the office. The department provides traffic law enforcement on land and water, civil and criminal process, ATV and boat patrol, and participates in programs including Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) and Safe and Sober campaigns.
Specialized units within the office include an Emergency Response Team (ERT) and a K-9 Narcotics Unit. These assets are deployed for serious incidents and drug investigations across the county. The general patrol division handles day-to-day calls for service, which form the core of the police blotter.
Police Blotter Data and Minnesota Law
The Wabasha County police blotter captures the daily record of law enforcement activity in the county. This includes calls for service, arrests, traffic stops that result in charges or citations, accident investigations, and reports of criminal incidents. Each blotter entry typically shows the date, time, location, and type of incident, along with how it was resolved. Arrest entries include the name of the person charged and the specific charges filed against them.
Under Minn. Stat. § 13.82, Minnesota law enforcement agencies must make this category of data public. The time and date of calls, the nature of incidents, the identities of those arrested, and the charges filed are all public data. The agency has no discretion to routinely withhold this information. There are exceptions. Data from active investigations is classified as confidential while those investigations remain open. Juvenile records and certain victim information also receive special protection. Once a case closes or moves into court, much of the investigative data becomes accessible.
The general data classification system, including the rules for requesting records and what agencies must do when denying access, falls under Minn. Stat. § 13.03. If the Sheriff's Office denies your request, ask for a written response citing the specific statute that supports the denial.
Sheriff's Office Website and Public Records
The Wabasha County Sheriff's Office maintains a website with public records tools including a searchable warrant database, an inmate roster, and general department information. These tools give residents direct access to some of the most commonly requested police blotter data without having to call the office.
Visit the Wabasha County Sheriff's Office website for department information, warrant data, inmate roster, and contact details.
The Sheriff's main page links to the warrant database, jail information, inmate roster, and other resources that give the public direct access to police blotter and public safety data for Wabasha County.
Arrest Warrant Database
The Wabasha County Sheriff's Office provides a searchable warrant list on its website. This database covers active arrest warrants tied to Wabasha County cases. It gives residents, attorneys, and bail bondsmen a way to check outstanding warrants without having to call the office directly. The database reflects warrants as of the most recent update, so same-day changes may not appear immediately. Always confirm current warrant status with the issuing agency before acting on anything you find in the database.
The warrant list is one part of the broader police blotter picture. Warrants indicate that a court has issued an order for someone's arrest based on probable cause. Checking this database along with the inmate roster gives a fuller view of enforcement activity in the county at any given time.
View the Wabasha County arrest warrant database for the current list of outstanding warrants.
The warrant database is searchable and gives residents a direct way to check whether a warrant has been issued in their name or for someone they know without calling the office.
Wabasha County Jail and Inmate Information
The Wabasha County Jail is at 848 17th Street East, Suite 2, Wabasha MN 55981. The jail phone is (651) 560-1004. Jail Administrator Brenda Balow handles facility operations and can be reached at bbalow@co.wabasha.mn.us. To check current inmate status, call Master Control at (651) 560-1004 or check the inmate roster PDF available through the county website at https://cms9files1.revize.com/wabasha/uploads/custodylist.rpt.pdf.
Visitation at the jail runs in daily sessions covering morning, afternoon, and evening. Each visit lasts 30 minutes, is first-come first-served, and allows up to five visitors age 18 or older. For work release inquiries, contact Michael Timm at (651) 560-1008. Work release fees are $175 for the first week plus a $20 booking fee. For fingerprinting services, call (651) 560-1004 to schedule an appointment. The cost is $20 cash per card, and you must be 18 or older with a photo ID.
View the Wabasha County Jail information page for visitation hours, inmate roster access, and jail services.
The jail page covers visitation schedules, how to check inmate status, work release details, and fingerprinting services available through the Wabasha County Sheriff's Office.
How to Request Police Blotter Records or Incident Reports
To request a police blotter record or incident report from the Wabasha County Sheriff's Office, call (651) 565-3361 during business hours. For jail-specific records or inmate status, call Master Control at (651) 560-1004. When you call, have the date of the incident, the location, and any case number you already know. The office also accepts written requests by mail at 848 17th Street East, Wabasha, MN 55981-5033.
Public data requests under Minn. Stat. § 13.82 are handled routinely. If a record you request is not fully public, the agency must tell you what portion is being withheld and why. The rules for this process are in Minn. Stat. § 13.03. If you are not satisfied with the agency's response, the Minnesota Department of Administration's Data Practices Office handles complaints and compliance questions.
Local Police Departments in Wabasha County
Several cities in Wabasha County maintain their own police departments with separate records offices. For incidents handled by city officers, contact those departments directly.
- Wabasha Police Department: (651) 565-3261
- Lake City Police Department: (651) 345-3344
- Plainview Police Department: (507) 534-2441
City records are separate from Sheriff's Office records. If you are not sure which agency handled an incident, call the Sheriff's Office first and they can direct you to the right department.
Nearby Counties
Wabasha County borders several counties in southeastern Minnesota. For incidents crossing into adjacent jurisdictions, contact those county sheriffs directly.
Search Wabasha County Police Blotter Records
Use the tool below to search Wabasha County police blotter data. For records not returned here, call the Sheriff's Office at (651) 565-3361 or visit 848 17th Street East, Wabasha, MN 55981.