Open Records Requests

Open Records Requests 

In compliance with the Texas Public Information Act, the Roanoke Police Department will provide a copy of the information deemed a public record by the act when a written request has been submitted.

 Understand that the Texas Public Information Act allows a ten (10) business day response period and that some of the information is not available to the public. When filing an open records request, please remember to provide as much information as possible to assist the records custodians in locating the correct record.

When requesting Body Worn Camera videos, a response from our office may take up to 20 (twenty) business days in order to review and/or redact footage prior to release in accordance with the Public Information Act 552.108(5)(h).

NOTE: Requests for Body Worn Camera footage are unable to be fulfilled without the following criteria being met:

  1. The date and approximate time of the recording; 
  2. The specific location where the recording occurred; and
  3. The name of one or more persons known to be a subject of the recording.

Some requests may be sent to the Texas Attorney General for a ruling of whether or not the requested information is releasable or if it would need redactions prior to release. The Attorney General will review the request prior to the release of information.

Please visit the Texas Attorney General Website's: How to Request Public Information section for tips and information on how to submit a request.

As an additional resource please utilize the Public Information Handbook for more detailed information.

Records commonly considered to be public record include:

  • Traffic Accident Reports
  • Incident Reports
  • Call-for-Service
  • Offense Reports  
  • Records handled by the Police Department can be requested through the Police Department online portal GovQA.
  • Records NOT handled by the Police Department: copies of citations, municipal court records and city records

For copies of citations and municipal court records, submit your request to the Roanoke Municipal Courts. For all other records, not police related, submit your requests to the City Secretary Office.

Accident Reports

In an effort to provide a higher level of customer service by expediting the process of obtaining a motor vehicle crash report, the Roanoke Police Department has partnered with PoliceReports.US, LLC. This partnership allows citizens and insurance companies to obtain motor vehicle crash reports investigated by the Roanoke Police Department through the convenience of a user-friendly internet site twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. 

Crash reports generated on or after July 1, 2008 are available on-line and in many cases reports can be accessed within 24-72 hours of the accident. You may purchase an accident report through Lexis Nexis. If your accident report is not located, please submit a request to the records division through our GovQA Portal. Hit and Run accidents may require additional time. Crash reports can also be requested in person at 609 Dallas Dr., Roanoke, TX 76262.

Under the Texas Transportation Code, there are rules an exceptions to the release of certain information relating to accidents. Upon written request and payment of any required fee, the department or the governmental entity shall release the information to:

  1. An entity described by Subsection (b) [being information that is privileged and for the confidential use of the department and an agency of the United States, this stat, or a local government of this state that has use for the information for accident prevention purposes];
  2. The law enforcement agency that employs the peace officer who investigated the accident and sent the information to the department, including an agent of the law enforcement agency authorized by contract to obtain the information;
  3. The court in which a case involving a person involved in the accident is pending if the report is subpoenaed; or
  4. Any person directly concerned in the accident or having a proper interest therein, including:

(A)  Any person involved in the accident;

(B)  The authorized representative of any person involved in the accident;

(C)  A driver involved in the accident;

(D)  An employer, parent, or legal guardian of a driver involved in the accident;

(E)  The owner of a vehicle or property damaged in the accident;

(F)  A person who has established financial responsibility for a vehicle involved in the accident in a manner described by Section 601.051, including a policyholder of a motor vehicle liability insurance policy covering the vehicle;

(G)  An insurance company that issued an insurance policy covering a vehicle involved in the accident;

(H)  An insurance company that issued a policy covering any person involved in the accident;

(I)  A person under contract to provide claims or underwriting information to a person described by Paragraph (F), (G), or (H);

(J)  A radio or television station that holds a license issued by the Federal Communications Commission;

(K)  A newspaper that is:

  1. A free newspaper of general circulation or qualified under Section 2051.044, Government Code, to publish legal notices;
  2. Published at least once a week; and
  3. Available and of interest to the general public in connection with the dissemination of news; or

(L)  Any person who may sue because of death resulting from the accident.