Pennsylvania's Right To Know Law

"Right To Know" Policy

This written policy outlines the proper procedures for requesting records from the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department (WBPD) under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. ss. 66.1-66.9.

All requests for records must be in writing and signed by the requester.

The requests should identify or describe the records sought with sufficient specificity to enable the WBPD to ascertain which records are being requested and shall include a name and address to which the WBPD should address its response. The WBPD will not accept oral or anonymous request for records.

All requests for records shall be addressed as follows:

Wilkes-Barre City Police Department

15 North Washington Street

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18701

ATTN: Records Unit

All requests shall be in writing and shall be sent to the WBPD by mail, facsimile to (570) 208-4209 or delivered in person during the WBPD Records Unit's regular business hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday, excepting holidays and official office closing. The WBPD will not accept verbal or e-mail requests for records.

Under the Right to Know Law, investigative reports are exempted from the definition of a "public record," therefore any such request will be denied. Criminal history information is not accessible under the Right to Know Law, but may be obtained through the submission of a Request for Criminal History, Dissemination Form, which is available at the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department. The WBPD Request for Criminal History Information is only that information which is contained within the files of the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department. The WBPD does not possess or retain investigative or administrative information for other state or local agencies, therefore such requests will be denied.

If a written request for records is granted, the following fees will be charged to the requestor: The WBPD requires the requester to pay in advance the total fees listed to fulfill the requests. All costs must be paid by check or money order only at the WBPD, or by going to City Hall Finance Office and paying by cash.

FEE SCHEDULE:

Offense and Incident Reports: $ 10.00

Accident Reports: $ 15.00

Criminal History Reports: $ 15.00

Non-arrest fingerprinting: $15.00