FOIA Request for Police Records – Police and Public Safety

Citizens of the Commonwealth and representatives of the media may use the form below to request access to public records held by Mason Police.

Note: If you are seeking only a criminal record check, traffic crash report, or an incident verification letter, you may request those documents directly from the Records Office and do not need to complete a FOIA request. However, release of other public records such as incident reports or “police reports” are processed as Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Please use the form below to request access to such public records held by Mason Police. Please direct any questions or concerns to a FOIA Liaison Officer at pdfoia@gmu.edu.

Tips for Making a Request for Police Records from Mason Police

You may request public records by U.S. Mail, fax, online form, e-mail, in person, or over the phone. FOIA does not require that your request be in writing, nor do you need to specifically state that you are requesting records under FOIA.

From a practical perspective, it may be helpful to both you and the person receiving your request to put your request in writing. This allows you to create a record of your request. It also gives us a clear statement of what records you are requesting, so there is no misunderstanding over a verbal request. However, we cannot refuse to respond to your FOIA request if you elect to not put it in writing.

Your request must identify the records you are seeking with “reasonable specificity.” This is a common-sense standard. It does not refer to or limit the volume or number of records that you are requesting. Instead, it requires you be specific enough so we can identify and locate the records you are seeking.

Your request must ask for existing records or documents. FOIA gives you a right to inspect or copy records. It does not apply to a situation where you are asking general questions about the work of Mason Police, nor does it require Mason Police to create a record that does not exist.

To be helpful in the process, FOIA requests should be as detailed as reasonably possible and outline the specific information, records, or documents you are seeking. Please include your full name and legal address as the requestor, who you represent (if applicable), the incident number (if applicable), and any other relevant details to aid in locating the records or documents you are seeking.

A FOIA Liaison Officer, or other University representative, may contact you to clarify your request. This is to ensure we understand your request fully and can properly and efficiently complete your request. For more information about requests for public records pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, please refer to the Freedom of Information Act page.

Requester's Name(Required)

First Last

Requester's Email(Required)

Requester's Phone Number

Requester's Legal Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Name of newspaper, magazine, radio, or television station with circulation or broadcasting in the Commonwealth that you represent (if applicable)

FOIA rights apply to “citizens of the Commonwealth, representatives of newspapers and magazines with circulation in the Commonwealth, and representatives of radio and television stations broadcasting in or into the Commonwealth during the regular office hours of the custodian of such records.” Va. Code § 2.2-3704(A).

Incident Number (if known)

Date of Incident (if known)

Location of incident (if known)

Time of Incident (if known)

Description of police record(s) you are seeking.(Required)

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