Agency Records and Reports
The Indiana Access to Public Records Act is a series of laws designed to guarantee that the public has access to public records of government bodies at all levels. Public records are defined as essentially any information created, maintained or filed by government agencies.
The APRA defines a public record: . . . any writing, paper, report, study, map, photograph, book, card, tape recording, or other material that is created, received, retained, maintained, or filed by or with a public agency and which is generated on paper, paper substitutes, photographic media, chemically based media, magnetic or machine readable media, electronically stored data, or any other material, regardless of form or characteristics.
The following records cannot be disclosed by a public agency unless the disclosure is specifically required by state or federal statute or is ordered by a court under the rules of discovery. The exceptions found in I.C. § 5-14-3-4(a) include the following:
- Records made confidential by state statute.
- Records made confidential by federal law.
- Records containing confidential financial information received upon request from a person.
- Records made confidential by rules adopted by the Indiana Supreme Court.
- A photograph, a video recording, or an audio recording of an autopsy; and
- A social security number contained in the records of a public agency.
In certain circumstances, the APRA grants public agencies discretion in determining which public records should be disclosed. I.C. §5-14-3- 4(b) provides public agencies the discretion to withhold the following records from public access.
Other exceptions to the Public Records Access Exist and may be reviewed by clicking the link below:
https://iga.in.gov/laws/2023/ic/titles/5#5-14
https://www.co.monroe.in.us/egov/documents/1547579888_35332.pdf
Any person can request public records in Indiana and no request may be refused due to a lack of statement of purpose, however, a request for the inspection or copying of Indiana Public Record must identify with reasonable particularity the record being requested.
The Vigo County Sheriff's Office is committed to providing public access to records in a manner that is consistent with the Indiana Public Records Act (I.C. § 5-14-3-1 et seq.).
All requests for public records shall be in writing and follow one of the following methods:
- Using the web link below.
- An email receipt of your request will be provided from the website immediately.
- In person at the sheriff’s office during normal business hours.
- A receipt will be provided at the time of the request.
- The request may be sent by fax, email, or mail.
- A request form will be provided to the requestor and upon return of the form a receipt for the request will be issued within seven days.
Any request regardless of method shall identify with reasonable particularity the record being requested (I.C.§ 5-14-3-3).
Within a reasonable time after the request acknowledgement, the Custodian of Records or the authorized designee shall make records or copies available to the requester as provided by I.C. § 5-14-3-3.
Copies of electronic data may be provided in the medium requested if it is compatible with the Sheriff's office’s system (I.C. § 5-14-3-3).
The Sheriff's Office is not required to create records that do not exist.
When a record contains material with release restrictions and material that is not subject to release restrictions, the restricted material shall be redacted, and the unrestricted material released (I.C. § 5-14-3-6).
Requests for all material except for Body Camera Footage
If your request contains both public records and body camera footage complete two separate requests.
Vigo County Sheriff's Office Online Request for Public Records
Body Camera Footage Access
The Sheriff’s Office began issuing body worn cameras to officers in 2022. Body worn cameras are designed to increase transparency, ensure accountability and enhance public trust by effectively using captured video.
Members of the public that request video of an encounter shall submit a request below. Please review the department fee schedule.
A request for Body Camera Footage must include the following information in the request form:
- date of the incident
- approximate time of the incident
- location of the incident
- name of one person involved who is not a law enforcement officer
Vigo County Sheriff's Office Online Request for Body Camera Footage Only.