New Law Improves Access to Police Records
[edit] November 23, 2009
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Oklahoma On November 1, 2009, a new Oklahoma law went into effect the forces Oklahoma law enforcement agencies to release all incident reports requested for under the Oklahoma Open Records Act that are not subject to other exemptions. The previous law required the police departments to release only reports that resulted in an arrest. [1]
[edit] The affect of the new law
While, the change in the law won't affect most of the day to day operations of the police departments, many consider it a big victory for open records advocates. Representative John Carey (D) sponsored the bill, arguing that often the public had more of an interest in reports that did not result in an arrest than reports that did. Carey argued that one prominent interest group would be potential homeowners. He told the press, ""If you are looking to relocate your family to Oklahoma City, then it would be nice to know if, for the house you’re looking at buying, the next-door neighbor had 10 calls for excessive noise, or late-night parties, or the smell of meth, but an arrest wasn’t made" [1]. Despite the new ruling, police departments are still not obligated to release reports that are considered a part of pending investigations and potential litigation.
[edit] Update from: New bill would ensure the public's right to know
February 27, 2009 "The Oklahoma public has gained a victory in openness with the state House recently passing a bill that would ensure police must provide incident reports to the public, even if someone is not arrested.
The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration, and we encourage its passage there."
[edit] See also
[edit] External Links
- NewsOK, " Law’s change makes all Oklahoma incident reports public"
- Enid News, New bill would ensure the public's right to know, February 27, 2009
[edit] References
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