Public Information

Instructions for Requesting Public Information
Public Information Request Form

ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS ACT
R.I. GEN. LAWS SECTION 38-2-1 ET SEQ.

The Bristol Police Department is committed to providing the public with access to public records, under R.I. Gen. Laws Section 38-2-1, while protecting from disclosure information about individuals maintained that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.  The Bristol Police Department provides numerous public documents to the public, media and attorneys everyday in the ordinary course of business.  However, for any person who does not desire to make an oral request, wishes to make a formal written request, the request needs clarification, or it is requested after normal business hours, please complete the “Request For Records Under The Access To Public Records Act” form available at the Clerks window.

Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws Section 38-2-3(c.), the Bristol Police Department has established the following procedure regarding access to public records:

1. Please inform the clerk at the Records window that you wish to make a request for public records.  The Day Patrol Commander is the Public Affairs Officer for the Bristol Police Department and can be reached at (401) 253-6900 extension #211.  The normal business hours for the Records Department are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday thru Friday.  The Records Office is closed on all holidays.
2. The clerk will provide you with a form to complete, which lets this Department know the precise public documents you seek and assists us in processing your request in an expeditious manner.
3. If the public records are readily available, we will be more than happy to provide them.  However, there are times/circumstances when the records will not be available at the time you make your request.  If the records are not readily available, they can either be mailed to you or you can pick them up on a designated date.  The Access to Public Records Act grants a public body ten (10) business days to respond to your request.  R.I. Gen. Laws Section 38-2-7(a).  The Act further provides that "for good cause, this limit may be extended for a period not to exceed thirty (30) business days."  We thank you in advance for your understanding if it is necessary, for good cause, to request this extension.  Improper release of certain information could compromise the civil rights or personal safety of your fellow citizens, and we must review documents to prevent such harm. 
   1. Costs.  The Access to Public Records Act gives you the opportunity to view and/or copy public records.  The cost per copied page of written public documents will be fifteen cents ($.15) for documents copied on common business or legal size paper.  You may elect to obtain public records in any and all media in which we are capable of providing them.  The Act permits a reasonable charge for search and retrieval of documents.  The hourly costs for a search and retrieval shall be fifteen ($15.00) per hour, with no charge for the first hour.  We would be more than happy to provide you with an estimate.  Upon a request, we will provide a detailed itemization of the costs charged for search and retrieval.
   2. Public Records.  A "public record" is defined as "documents, papers, ...or other material regardless of physical form or characteristics made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency."  Specifically with respect to police records, in addition to other records maintained by this Department that constitute "public records", the Access to Public Records Act deems public "[r]ecords relating to the management and direction of law enforcement agency and records or reports reflecting the initial arrest of an adult and the charge or charges brought against an adult."  R.I. Gen. Laws Section 38-2-2(4)(I.)(D).
   3. Redaction.  Although a document may constitute a public record, there may be some information contained on the document that may be redacted/deleted as it is exempt from disclosure under R.I. Gen. Laws Section 38-2-2.  In Direct Action for Rights and Equality  v. Gannon, 713 A.2d 218 (R.I. 1998) and The Rake v. Gorodetsky, 452 A.2d 1144 (R.I.1982), the Rhode Island Supreme Court held that final reports on civilian complaints of police brutality were subject to disclosure in redacted form.  In addition, the Rhode Island Supreme Court has stated that "in passing the APRA, the General Assembly intended to limit access to certain documents in order to avoid disclosure of confidential information to protect individuals from invasion of their privacy."  Providence Journal Company v. Kane, 577 A.2d 661, 663 (R.I.1990).  "There is no public interest to be weighed in disclosure of nonpublic records."  Id.  A "balancing of interests arises only after a record has first been determined to be a public record."  Id.    
   4. Exemptions.  The Access to Public Records Act exempts some records from public disclosure.   See, R.I.Gen. Laws Section 38-2-2(4).  The following are some explanations as to why a document or part thereof may be exempt from disclosure:

      (A)(I) ...all personal or medical information relating to an individual in any files, -- including information relating to medical or psychological facts... R.I.Gen. Laws Section 38-2-2(4)(i.)(A)(I);

      (C.) ... records of juvenile proceedings before the family court

      (D) All records maintained by law enforcement agencies for criminal law enforcement and all records relating to the detection and investigation of crime, including those maintained on any individual or compiled in the course of a criminal investigation by any law enforcement agency.   Provided, however, such records shall not be deemed public only to the extent that the disclosure of the records or information may:(a) reasonably be expected to interfere with investigations of criminal activity or with enforcement proceedings, (b) would deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication, (c.) could reasonably be expected to disclose the identity of a confidential source, including a state, local or foreign agency or authority, or private institution which furnished information on a confidential basis, or(d.)the information furnished by a confidential source, or (e) would disclose techniques and procedures for law enforcement investigation or prosecutions, or would disclose guidelines for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions, or(f) could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical safety of any individual.

      (S) Records, reports, opinions, information, and statements required to be kept confidential by federal law or regulation or state rule of court, law or regulation. (i.e. information regarding juveniles, etc.).

      NOTE:  Please be advised that this is not a complete list of documents the Act exempts from disclosure.  For a full list see R.I.Gen.Laws Section 38-2-2.

   5. Appeal of Denial.  Any person or entity denied the right to inspect a record of a public body by the Public Records Officer may petition the chief administrative officer of that public body for review of the determinations made by his or her subordinates.  Any petitions from a denial should be addressed to Colonel Russell S. Serpa.  A final determination whether or not to allow public inspection will be made within ten (10) business days after the submission of the review petition. R.I.Gen. Laws Section 38-2-8.
   6. Complaint to the Attorney General.  If the chief administrative officer determined the record is not subject to public inspection, the person or entity seeking disclosure may file a complaint with the Attorney General.  (150 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903, telephone 274-4400) or may retain private counsel for the purposes of instituting proceedings for injunctive or declaratory relief in the superior court of the county where the record is maintained.  The Act provides that "[t]he court shall impose a civil fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) against a public body or official found to have committed a knowing and willful violation of this chapter, and shall award reasonable attorney fees and cost to the prevailing plaintiff.  The court shall further order a public body found to have wrongfully denied access to [provide the] public records at no cost to the prevailing party; provided further, that in the event that the court, having found in favor of the defendant, finds further that the plaintiff's case lacked a grounding in fact or in existing law or in good faith argument for the extension modification, or reversal of existing law, the court may award attorneys fees and costs to the prevailing defendant."  R.I.Gen. Laws Section 38-2-9(d).   

We hope this message has been of assistance.

Sex Offender Registry

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