From WANE-TV (Fort Wayne):
Q: A county commissioner received a letter from a sheriff’s department employee alleging harassment by the sheriff. County officials have denied access to the letter claiming it’s part of a personnel file. Are they correct?
A: I don’t think the personnel file exception to disclosure under the Access to Public Records Act would apply. The sheriff is an elected official, not an employee. The personnel file language is designed to protect the personnel files of employees of public agencies.
The letter to the commissioner should be made available for inspection and copying under public records act request.
