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Once in a while I hear something on my BCT8 that leaves me terribly curious!

Last night at Husky Stadium SPD radioed dispatch that they had a male with a severe head injury that needed aid. WTF?? Did he fall from the roof while trying to watch the game for free? Did he get into a fight with the visiting team? Inquiring minds want to know!

So here's my question:

What do I have to do to get access to the police reports? Journalists have some way of doing it, every local newspaper has a "Police Beat" section. How do they get at that information? Do I need to get a press pass or something? Is there a form one fills out?

Does anybody know the answer to this?

there is a public description of headlines, like information you see in the blotter in the paper (from public review board). However you need to be involved in the case normally to get a record of it. there are also other disclosure laws for things like medical and age.

as for how the media gets records that arnt always public record, they are evil and crooked they will beg barrow and steal when its not a legal process.

for full information see
http://www.seattle.gov/police/general_info/get.htm

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If I had an antenna, I would; but I can only transmit on 160 meters.
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DE K7MHI

Thanks for your reply, SGM.

It looks like what I need to do is learn how to file a Public Disclosure Request.

It's no surprise that the City of Seattle provides as little information as legally possible about how to do this. I did find a list of the city's Public Disclosure Officers and their email addresses and phone numbers. What I don't know is what a request should look like.

Eventually I found this useful page:

The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) Website

(http://www.pdc.wa.gov/public/recordsrequest.aspx)

They provide the following information, including what documents are exempt:

Requests for Public Records

Washington law (Chapter 42.56 RCW) requires that, upon request, identifiable public records be made immediately available for public inspection and copying. In addition, records that are exempt by law may be withheld from public disclosure. Exemptions are generally intended to prevent acts of privacy invasion and for personal or commercial gain. Exemptions include, but are not limited to:

* Information regarding agency personnel, such as social security numbers, home phone numbers, home addresses, resumes and employment applications.
* Investigative records relating to current enforcement.
* Examination test scores.
* Data, if disclosed could result in private gain and/or public loss.
* Correspondence between agency staff and the Attorney General's Office.
* Information whose release would constitute an invasion of privacy as defined in (RCW 42.56.210).

The above page, while useful, doesn't help me with what I should actually write in the request. I'm assuming I'd need to describe the incident, give the date and time, any officer identifications I heard, where it happened, etc.

If any of you have any advice as to how I would format a written request, I'd love to hear it. Do I start with "Dear Sir?"

Thanks much!

http://www.splc.org/foiletter.asp

_________________
President-in-Exile, Seattle Area Radio Communications And Scanner Traffic Intercept Crew (SARCASTIC)
Don't feel bad if you can't use your STD100/200; there are still people using Digital Frequency Search!
Bunnery definition for the under-fives

Oh Wil, you ROCK! How did you find that?

I'm going to try it just as soon as I get home from work!

Awesome!

Thanks so much!!!

- Silver

This has been hashed, re-hashed, and hashbrowned a few times- viewtopic.php?t=1038&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

_________________
President-in-Exile, Seattle Area Radio Communications And Scanner Traffic Intercept Crew (SARCASTIC)
Don't feel bad if you can't use your STD100/200; there are still people using Digital Frequency Search!
Bunnery definition for the under-fives

I believe there is also a PDR exemption for on going investigation, so if the case is not closed you will have to refill your request.

Olowy - yeah, that makes total sense.

I'll have to let you all know if I every get around to filing one of these things!

I always thought the press made up the rest of the story or if they do have the whole story only tell you the part that either scares people or works for whoever canidate they support. :lol:

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