Law Enforcement Records Tool Kit

MRSC created this series of webpages in partnership with the State Auditor’s Center for Government Innovation to help police and sheriff departments in Washington State manage their records and comply with disclosure and retention requirements under the Public Records Act and other statutes.

Contents

Police and sheriff departments, like all other units of local government, are subject to the Public Records Act and must disclose certain documents if requested. However, there are a number of special considerations that apply specifically to law enforcement agencies, as discussed in the links below:

• Tips for Managing Law Enforcement Records – Practice tips to help make your job easier
• Common Prohibitions and Exemptions for Law Enforcement Records – Overview of information that is exempt or prohibited from disclosure, along with two sample police reports demonstrating potential redactions
• Copying Charges for Public Records – Statutory requirements and examples of fee schedules; includes some fees specific to law enforcement
• Retention Requirements for Law Enforcement Records – Retention requirements for commonly requested records, including case files, criminal history records, and video footage