RIGHT TO KNOW REQUESTS FOR POLICE RECORDS

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What Is Covered By the Law: Records, not Questions

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Make sure when you file a RTK request, you are seeking records and not just asking questions. The law governs release of records, not answering questions .

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A record is defined as “any information regardless of its physical form or character that documents a transaction or activity of an agency AND is created, received, or retained pursuant to law OR in connection with a transaction, business or activity of an agency.” AND is created, received, or retained pursuant to law OR in connection with a transaction, business or activity of an agency.”

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Records can take many forms, including papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, film or sound recordings, information stored or maintained electronically and a data-processed or image-processed documents. Note that e-mails can also be a form of public records, subject to any exceptions.

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For more information on Right to Know Requests click here

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Right to Know Request Form

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Police Department Open Records Officer:

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Sergeant Wayne O'Connell

1645 Art School Road

Chester Springs PA 19425

woconnell@westpikeland.com

610-590-4092 

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Filing an Appeal

When a request is denied or deemed denial, a requester may file an appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records.  The appeal must be filed within 15 business days of the denial or deemed denial date.  The appeal must also include the request, agency denial if one exists, and address agency grounds that the request was denied.  An appeals officer will determine if the record(s) is subject to public access. 

An appeal may be filed to the Office of Open Records via its Online Appeal Form, email, fax, or in person at:

Office of Open Records

333 Market Street, 16th Floor

Harrisburg, PA  17101-2234

Phone: 717-346-9903

Fax: 717-425-5343

Email: openrecords@pa.gov