Monroe County Police Records
Monroe County occupies the northeastern corner of Pennsylvania in the heart of the Pocono Mountains, drawing tourists from across the region while maintaining a permanent population of approximately 170,000 residents. The county seat of Stroudsburg anchors local government operations, including the offices responsible for maintaining police records, criminal court files, and other public safety documents. Records in Monroe County originate from several sources: the Monroe County Sheriff, borough and township police departments, the Pennsylvania State Police Stroudsburg Barracks, and the county court system. This guide walks through each source, explains how to request records under Pennsylvania law, and provides direct links to the agencies and online tools that can help you find the information you need.
Monroe County Quick Facts
Monroe County Police Records and Public Access
Monroe County police records are distributed among several county and municipal agencies. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office, located at 1 Quaker Plaza in Stroudsburg, PA 18360, is one of the primary points of contact for public records related to warrants, civil process, and county law enforcement activity. The office also coordinates with the county jail and handles fugitive apprehension within the county.
The Monroe County official website provides access to department directories, records request forms, and information about county services. Residents and researchers starting a records search should check the county website first to identify the correct department and contact information before making a trip to Stroudsburg.
The image below is from the Monroe County official website, which serves as the central hub for public records access and county department information.
Monroe County's permanent population is supplemented by a large seasonal tourist population drawn to Pocono ski resorts, water parks, and vacation communities. This tourism economy means that the county processes a higher volume of incident reports and traffic-related records than its population alone would suggest. Researchers looking for older records should be aware that Monroe County has experienced significant growth since the 1980s, and record volume has increased substantially over that period.
Public access to Monroe County government records is governed by Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, codified at 65 P.S. §§ 67.101-67.3104. This law applies to county agencies, municipal governments, and state agencies operating within the county. Criminal history records are further regulated by the Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA), found at 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 9101-9183, which imposes additional restrictions on who may access certain categories of criminal record data and for what purposes.
Monroe County Sheriff's Office
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office at 1 Quaker Plaza, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 is responsible for serving civil process, executing court orders, managing the county jail, and providing security for the Monroe County Courthouse. The Sheriff's Office also maintains records related to these functions, including civil process logs, warrant information, and records of persons in county custody.
You can access the Monroe County Sheriff's Office page for contact details, office hours, and information about available records. The Sheriff's Office generally accepts records requests submitted in writing during regular business hours. Some records may also be available through formal Right-to-Know requests submitted to the county Open Records Officer.
The image below is sourced from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office official page, showing the department responsible for warrants and law enforcement records in the county.
The Sheriff's Office handles warrant service throughout Monroe County, including active arrest warrants issued by the Court of Common Pleas and bench warrants issued for failure to appear. If you are searching for warrant information, the Sheriff's Office is the appropriate agency to contact. However, not all warrant information is publicly released without a formal records request, and some active warrant details may be withheld during ongoing investigations.
In addition to warrant and civil process records, the Sheriff's Office coordinates with the Monroe County Correctional Facility, which houses individuals awaiting trial and those serving shorter sentences. Inmate lookup information may be available through the Sheriff's Office or the jail directly. Confirm current procedures with the office before submitting a request, as processes may change.
Clerk of Courts Criminal Records
Criminal court records in Monroe County are maintained by the Clerk of Courts, located in the Monroe County Courthouse in Stroudsburg. The Clerk of Courts maintains adult criminal case files, including charging documents, plea agreements, trial records, sentencing orders, and other case-related filings that become part of the permanent court record.
These records are governed under 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 9101-9183, the Criminal History Record Information Act. CHRIA defines which records are open to the public, which are restricted, and under what conditions access may be granted. Generally, conviction records are public. Records related to arrests that did not result in conviction, charges that were withdrawn, or cases involving juveniles may be restricted or sealed.
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System (UJS) Portal provides free online access to Monroe County criminal dockets. You can search by defendant name, docket number, or case type and review publicly available case information without visiting the courthouse in person. The UJS Portal is updated regularly and covers criminal, civil, and traffic cases in the Monroe County Court of Common Pleas.
For certified copies of criminal records, contact the Monroe County Clerk of Courts directly. Certified copies carry an official court seal and are often required for employment background checks, licensing applications, or legal proceedings. Fees for certified copies vary and should be confirmed with the Clerk's office prior to submission of your request.
The image below comes from the Monroe County Prothonotary's official page, which handles civil court records alongside the Clerk of Courts' criminal records function.
The Monroe County Prothonotary maintains civil court dockets, including civil judgments that may arise from incidents connected to criminal activity. Researchers looking for a complete picture of a legal matter should check both the Clerk of Courts criminal records and the Prothonotary's civil records. Both offices are located in the Monroe County Courthouse in Stroudsburg.
Right-to-Know Requests in Monroe County
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law at 65 P.S. §§ 67.101-67.3104 gives residents the right to request public records from county and municipal agencies. Monroe County has a designated Open Records Officer who handles formal RTK requests. Requests must be submitted in writing, either in person, by mail, or by email, and must describe the records sought with reasonable specificity.
Under the law, agencies must respond within five business days of receiving a request. The response may grant access, deny access with a written explanation citing specific exemptions, or request a 30-day extension when the records require more time to locate or review. Copy fees are capped at $0.25 per page for standard paper copies. Certification fees and electronic delivery options may vary by agency.
If Monroe County denies your records request, you have the right to appeal that denial to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records (OOR). The OOR is located at 333 Market Street, 16th Floor, Harrisburg, and can be reached by phone at 717-346-9903. Their website at openrecords.pa.gov provides appeal forms, guidance documents, and a searchable database of past decisions that can help you understand how similar requests have been handled.
Not all police records are automatically subject to release under the RTKL. Active criminal investigation files are exempt from disclosure while an investigation is ongoing. Records protected by CHRIA, juvenile records, and information related to confidential informants may also be withheld. The Open Records Officer will provide a written explanation of any exemptions applied to a denied request.
Municipal police departments within Monroe County, such as Stroudsburg Borough Police and East Stroudsburg Police, have their own designated Open Records Officers and follow the same five-day response requirement. For records from a specific municipal department, submit your RTK request directly to that municipality rather than to the county.
Municipal Police Departments in Monroe County
Monroe County contains several incorporated boroughs and townships that operate their own police departments. Stroudsburg Borough Police and East Stroudsburg Police are among the most active local departments, handling incidents within their respective borough boundaries. These departments generate their own incident reports, arrest records, and traffic enforcement records that are separate from county or state records.
Other municipalities in Monroe County may contract for police services, rely on the Pennsylvania State Police, or operate smaller township police departments. The specific coverage area varies by municipality. Researchers looking for incident reports from a particular location should first determine which police agency has jurisdiction over that area before submitting a records request.
To request records from a municipal police department in Monroe County, contact that department directly. Most departments accept written records requests submitted in person or by mail. Some may have online request forms available through their municipal websites. Be prepared to provide the approximate date, location, and nature of the incident when requesting specific reports.
Monroe County's resort communities in the Pocono area generate a significant volume of calls for service, particularly during peak tourist seasons. Municipalities in areas like Pocono Township, Tobyhanna Township, and Paradise Township may have their own departments or may rely on PSP coverage. Confirm current arrangements before directing a records request.
PATCH System for Monroe County Criminal History
The Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH) system allows individuals and organizations to request statewide criminal history checks through the Pennsylvania State Police. The fee is $22 per search, and requests can be submitted online through the PATCH overview page. Results cover all Pennsylvania counties, including Monroe County, and reflect conviction data maintained under CHRIA.
PATCH is frequently used by employers, landlords, volunteer organizations, and licensing boards that are required or permitted to conduct criminal background checks under Pennsylvania law. Individuals may also request their own PATCH record to verify its contents or to prepare for an employment application. The system searches by name and date of birth and returns statewide conviction records.
Keep in mind that PATCH only reflects conviction records maintained by Pennsylvania State Police. Arrests that did not result in conviction, charges that were withdrawn or dismissed, and expunged records are not included in PATCH results. Federal records, out-of-state convictions, and records from other jurisdictions require separate requests through the appropriate agencies.
For Monroe County employers in regulated industries such as child care, elder care, or financial services, additional background check requirements may apply beyond the standard PATCH search. Consult the applicable licensing or regulatory agency for guidance on required background check procedures.
Sex Offender Registry for Monroe County
Pennsylvania's Megan's Law sex offender registry is maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police and is publicly accessible online. You can search for registered sex offenders in Monroe County, the Stroudsburg area, or any specific address through the Pennsylvania Megan's Law website. The registry lists offender names, addresses, photographs where available, and offense details based on tier classification under state law.
Monroe County offenders who are required to register under Megan's Law do so through the nearest Pennsylvania State Police barracks. The PSP Stroudsburg Barracks serves this function for Monroe County. Registration requirements and reporting frequency depend on the tier level assigned to the offender based on the nature of the underlying offense. Tier III offenders face the most stringent registration and reporting requirements under state law.
Monroe County's large resort and seasonal population creates particular importance for registry access among residents and property managers in vacation communities. The Megan's Law website allows searches by county, municipality, zip code, or specific address, making it a practical tool for residents throughout the Pocono region.
Pennsylvania's Clean Slate law at 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.2 provides for the automatic sealing of certain criminal records after a waiting period, but sex offenses requiring registration under Megan's Law are specifically excluded from Clean Slate eligibility. Registered sex offenders remain on the public registry for the duration of their registration period regardless of other record-sealing provisions.
Nearby Counties
Monroe County borders several counties in northeastern Pennsylvania. If the records you need involve activity near county lines or in adjacent jurisdictions, check these neighboring counties as well.