Public Access to Records Under Public Officers Law § 66-a and § 87
The Division of State Police, a state-wide law enforcement agency mandated by law (Section 223, Executive Law) to prevent and detect crime and to apprehend criminals, adheres to the principle of the right to privacy for law-abiding people. The Division must balance the right of citizens to know how their government works with their right to personal privacy. Great care is taken to ensure that records provided are exactly what was requested and are legally releasable.
Please be advised that this agency maintains only those records associated with New York State Police arrests and investigations; it does not maintain records of any other police agencies.
Requests for a copy of or to inspect New York State Police records must be made in writing. They should describe the records sought with sufficient specificity to enable the Division to identify and locate the appropriate records. The Division will acknowledge in writing the receipt of a records request. All requests must be made through New York State Police Headquarters in Albany, New York.
There are two laws governing public access to records:- New York State Public Officers Law Article 4 § 66-a governs access to certain police investigative
reports and records for interested/involved parties.
- A copy of the MV-104A Police Accident Report is requested through the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV); the DMV website is www.nysdmv.com.
- Copies of reports or records other than the MV-104A relevant to investigations by the State Police are maintained by this agency.
Click here for more information on requests pursuant to POL § 66-a.
- New York State Public Officers Law Article 6 governs access by the public to government records and is based
on the U.S. Freedom of Information Act of 1966; both the state and federal statutes were originally intended
for the public disclosure of how government works. The Freedom of Information Law in New York State exempts
from disclosure some information that if released could cause harm to individuals or entities.
Click here for more information on requests pursuant to POL Article 6.