how to obtain arrest record for police officer

[okayndc]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? state/district in question? Washington D.C.


How would one go about obtaining an arrest record for a particular officer? is this information public? i've been told that the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) may provide this sort of information. has anyone had any experience in trying to obtain information via FOIA about a particular police officer?

 

[CdwJava]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? state/district in question? Washington D.C.


How would one go about obtaining an arrest record for a particular officer? is this information public? i've been told that the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) may provide this sort of information. has anyone had any experience in trying to obtain information via FOIA about a particular police officer?

What do you mean "arrest record?" Are you looking for records of arrests made BY the officer? Or of records that might indicate that the officer has been arrested? These are two different matters.

Finding records of the who the officer has arrested might be relatively easy and should be available via a public records' request, but what such a record might include could be spotty depending on the method of record-keeping. Whether DC Metro keeps these records, I don't know.

 

[okayndc]

Are you looking for records of arrests made BY the officer?

Yes.

I was told by DC metropolitan police that they do not keep such records but, this information may be available via FOIA. i thought it was absurd that they don't keep such records but, was wondering if anyone has experience with FOIA requests pertaining to arrests made by an officer.

 

[Zigner]

Is this related to your DUI or your later arrest for suspended license?

 

[okayndc]

suspended license

Is this related to your DUI or your later arrest for suspended license?

 

[Zigner]

suspended license

What do you hope to prove by obtaining the officer's arrest record? If the officer reasonably believed your license was suspended, the arrest is valid.

 

[CdwJava]

Yes.

I was told by DC metropolitan police that they do not keep such records but, this information may be available via FOIA. i thought it was absurd that they don't keep such records but, was wondering if anyone has experience with FOIA requests pertaining to arrests made by an officer.

I am not sure what this information could possibly do to help you, but, you can always make the request and see if the information can be compiled.

Understand that the agency involved does not have to manufacture records they do not keep. So, if such an undertaking would be manpower intensive (i.e. evaluating each and every police report and citation by the officer) they may not be required to produce it.

My guess is that there is some way to do it if the records are computerized, but I cannot be sure.