From the Daily Journal (Franklin):
Q: How much detail must the police give when there’s been a call concerning an accident or crime?
A: The information that must be released within 24 hours of the call is outlined in the Access to Public Records Act at IC 5-14-3-5(c).
The key language is under (c)(3)(C) – “the factual circumstances surrounding the incident.”
While not defined, HSPA believes a common-sense interpretation of “factual circumstances” would be the information an officer would give to his or her supervisor or a prosecutor about what happened.
A limited response such as “auto accident” or “burglary” would clearly not be sufficient.
Contact Steve Key, HSPA executive director and general counsel, with media law questions at skey@hspa.com or (317) 624-4427.
