The Longview Police Department Records Division is responsible for the collection, storage, maintenance and security of all departmental records, with the exception of personnel, budget, intelligence/organized crime and internal affiairs records.  The Records division also:

• Issues and maintains residential and commercial alarm permits
• Issues and maintains parade permits
  
• Compiles data in preparation for prosecution, special investigations and for court proceedings
• Coordinates information and inter-divisional communications between investigations and patrol sections, as well as to the public and public entities
• Responds to requests under the Texas Open Records Act
• Processes all accident reports and submits them to the Texas Department of Public Safety

The Records Division Supervisor is Mrs. Brandi Westring and she can be contacted at 903-237-1199 or by email.

Schedule of Fees:

Requests for Information Subject to the Texas Open Records Act:

It is the policy of the Longview Police Department to release certain public records information in compliance with the Texas Open Records Act.  The term "public records" is defined by the Act and does not include material deemed confidential by law. 

The Texas Public Information Act gives the public the right to request access to government information.  The Act is triggered when a person submits a written request to a governmental body. The request must ask for records or information already in existence.  The Act does not require a governmental body to create new information, to do legal research, or to answer questions.  In preparing a request, a person may want to ask the governmental body what information is available.

A person may ask to view the information, get copies of the information, or both.  If a request is for copies of information, the governmental body may charge for the copies.  If a request is only for an opportunity to inspect information, then usually the governmental body may not impose a charge on the requestor.  However, under certain limited circumstances a governmental body may impose a charge for access to information.  All charges imposed by a governmental body for copies or for access to information must comply with attorney general rules, unless another statute authorizes an agency to set its own charges.

Although the Act makes most government information available to the public, some exceptions exist.  If an exception might apply and the governmental body wishes to withhold the information, the governmental body generally must, within ten business days of receiving the open records request, refer the matter to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for a ruling on whether an exception applies.  If the OAG rules that an exception applies, the governmental body will not release the information.  If a governmental body improperly fails to release information, the Act authorizes the requestor or the OAG to file a civil lawsuit to compel the governmental body to release the information.

To reach the OAG’s Open Government Hotline, call toll free (877) 673-6839 (877-OPEN TEX).  Hotline staff can answer questions about the proper procedures for using and complying with the Act and can assist both governmental bodies and people requesting information from a governmental body. Hotline staff also review written complaints about alleged violations of the Act.  If a complaint relates to charges, contact the attorney general cost rules administrator at (512) 475-2497 or forward a written complaint.  Certain violations of the Act may involve possible criminal penalties.  Those violations must be reported to the county attorney or criminal district attorney.

To learn more about the Texas Open Records Act and how to request information, please visit the Texas Attorney General's Office here.