Police Records Request

Public records are writings containing information relating to the conduct of the public’s business. Writings include handwritten, typed, photographed, electronic, or otherwise recorded words, letters, pictures, sounds, symbols, or combinations of these mediums.

There are numerous exceptions to public records laws that allow a public body to refuse disclosure of certain records (see ORS 192.314–192.338, ORS 192.345, and ORS 192.355). Public bodies are not required to explain or answer questions about their public records, nor are they required to create records where none exist.

Public bodies are required to make available for inspection and copying, subject to applicable exemptions, only those records that exist at the time the request is received.

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The department may require up to five (5) business days to initially respond to your request. The first contact from the Police Records Office will advise you of the estimated costs involved in fulfilling your request.

Estimated costs must be prepaid before any additional work is performed. No public records request will be processed without prepayment of the estimated cost.

Once prepayment has been received, staff will contact you within ten (10) business days to:

1. Advise that the requested records are ready for review;
2. Provide a date when records may be reviewed, picked up, emailed, or mailed; or
3. Advise that the request is being denied.

If your request is denied, a written explanation of the reason for denial will be provided by the Police Records Office within a reasonable amount of time.

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Full payment of all costs incurred is required before public records may be inspected or copies released.

You will be required to pay processing costs even if no records are found or if the records are exempt from disclosure.

Most records available for public inspection are the property of the Independence Police Department. Nothing may be altered, added, or removed from these records, and photographing documents is not permitted.

Allowing inspection or copying of public records does not waive or restrict any copyright, confidentiality, privilege, exemption from disclosure, or other legal rights associated with the records.

I have read and agree to comply with the above conditions.

I further agree to pay the costs of fulfilling this Public Records Request in accordance with the conditions set forth above and the fee schedule adopted by the City Council in effect at the time my request is submitted.

Records are released in accordance with Oregon Public Records Law (ORS 192). Certain records may be redacted or withheld if they are exempt from disclosure under state law.

These costs may include, but are not limited to:

• Locating records (regardless of whether the requested records are found);
• Reviewing records for exempt material;
• Supervising the inspection of records;
• Copying records;
• Certifying records; and
• Mailing records.