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The Brownsville Police Department fully complies with the Texas Open Records Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, also known as the Public Information Act).
If you are the Requestor:
- All request must be submitted in writing, you may use the form attached below or use your own format, please address your request to Commander James Paschall, Custodian of Records.
- Make your request clear. Whenever possible, provide time parameters. Broad requests usually result in higher labor charges.
- Ask for what you want. Avoid language such as "any and all" or "any other records related to this matter". If the document exists in several places, you may receive multiple copies of that document, therefore increasing your charges.
- If you can, avoid calling a record by a specific name. Rather, request the information you believe the record will contain, such as "major accidents on street...". This may help you avoid charges for data manipulation.
- Be aware that the nature of the request has more impact on the labor charges than the amount of information you receive. Requests for very specific or old information may result in few pages, but could be labor intensive, which will be reflected in the charges.
- Governmental bodies keep their records in the manner that is most effective for their functions. Before you ask for a special format, determine if the format in which it already exists will suffice for your purposes. It may save you money.
Public Information Requests may be submitted via regular mail, fax or delivered in person. Information Request via E-mail will only be accepted if the Convinience Form is filled and attached to your E-mail (form is attached below), no other formats are accepted via E-mail. You may submit your request by E-mail to bpd.pi@cob.us.
The Online Public Information Request Form is now available, click here to access it.
For questions regarding information requests, please contact our Records Supervisor at (956)548-7118.
FEES:
COPIES: 10¢ per page. CERTIFIED COPY: $5.00 each item. FAX FEE: (long distance): $4.00. LOCAL FAX: $ - 0 –
STAFF TIME to retrieve information: $15.00 per hour. OVERHEAD FEE for voluminous requests: 20%.
Requests estimated to be in excess of $100 require a deposit. You should notify us within 10 business days if you accept the charges and agree to pay or, if you wish to modify your request. Otherwise, the request will be considered withdrawn. Should the requested information result in a higher amount than was estimated, you will be charged accordingly. If a refund is applicable, it will be provided under separate cover.
Public Information that is readily available may be inspected by the requestor. Fees of any copies made will be charged according to the fee schedule.
Once we receive your acceptance of the estimated fees (if any), we will start processing your request. Should the fee amount be larger than estimated, you will be billed. Future requests will not be provided until any fee amount owed is paid.
Out of town or voluminous / lengthy requests, will be mailed out upon acceptance of the invoiced cost. In-town requests can be picked up at this office upon payment.
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