Public Records Request

The California Public Records Act (the CPRA) gives the public the right to request access to government records. The CPRA expressly provides that “access to information concerning the conduct of the people’s business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in this state.” The CPRA is triggered when a person submits a request for records that are already in existence. The CPRA does not require the City to create records, compile data, do legal research or answer questions. The City will respond to your request with either the records, or acknowledgement of the request, as soon as possible, but no later than the 10^th day following the receipt of your request.

General

There is a large amount of information and records immediately available on the City's website and readily available to the public. This information can be accessed without a public records request. Additionally, if you are seeking information on City Meeting agendas and/or minutes you can go to the City's Meeting Agendas, Videos and Minutes web page here .

Frequently Asked Questions

General Requests

How is a request made?

VERBAL REQUESTS ARE TAKEN; BUT WRITTEN REQUESTS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

Requestor’s contact information
A detailed description of the records you are requesting.
A date range for the records, if possible, in order to narrow the request
REQUESTS MAY BE SUBMITTED BY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING FORMS:

Online:                 Click on GENERAL button above and press Submit once you have filled in the information.

E-Mail:                  recordsrequest@cityofredlands.org

By Mail:                City of Redlands
                                  Office of the City Manager
                                  P.O. Box 3005
                                  Redlands, CA 92373

In Person:           City of Redlands
                                  City Clerk’s Office
                                  35 Cajon Street, Suite 2
                                  Redlands, CA 92373

NOTE: Requests for inspection of public records can be made at any City department

INSPECTION OF RECORDS:

OVER THE COUNTER VERBAL REQUESTS FOR INSPECTION OF RECORDS CAN BE MADE AT ANY CITY DEPARTMENT
Public records are open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the City, and every person has the right to inspect public records, subject to certain limited exceptions.
If it is determined that the requested records are voluminous, staff reserves the right to set a future appointment with the requestor in order for staff to assemble the requested records.However, whenever practical and efficient to do, the requested public records will be made available for inspection at the time of the request.

What information is redacted (removed)?

The right of access to public records under the CPRA is not unlimited; it does not extend to records that are exempt from disclosure. The CPRA presently contains approximately 76 exemptions from disclosure. There are also numerous laws outside the CPRA that create exemptions from disclosure. Many exemptions are intended to protect privacy rights; others exist based upon the recognition that there is a need for government to perform its functions in an efficient and effective manner, and to operate in a reasonably level playing field in dealing with private interests.

How do I find agenda or minutes information?

Meeting agenda packets and minutes are available online at http://cityofredlands.org/agendas

What happens after a request is made?

The City Manager’s Office will “promptly” respond to your request. Generally, requests are responded to with either the records, or acknowledgement of the request, within 10 days. However, requests may exceed the 10 days depending on the amount of information that is requested. You will receive notification from the City by the 10^th day if more time is required to comply with your request.

Public records are provided at no charge to the requestor.

Police Requests

How is a request made?

VERBAL REQUESTS ARE TAKEN; BUT WRITTEN REQUESTS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

Requestor’s contact information
A detailed description of the documents you are requesting.
A date range, if possible, in order to narrow the request

REQUESTS MAY BE SUBMITTED BY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING FORMS:

Online: Click on POLICE button above and press Submit once you have filled in the information.

E-Mail: recordsrequest@cityofredlands.org

       By Mail:             City of Redlands
                                  Office of the City Manager
                                  P.O. Box 3005
                                  Redlands, CA 92373

      In Person:           Redlands Police Department
                                  1270 W. Park Ave., Bldg C
                                  Redlands, CA 92373

What do I need to provide?

To obtain copies of police reports, please provide case number(s), if available. Also, please provide date, time and location of the incident, as well as any other information, including names and dates of birth of persons involved. It will help us serve you better if you include as much detailed information as possible.

Public records are provided at no charge to the requestor.

How do I request service calls, 911 calls, or other recordings?

These requests are handled by the Redlands Police Department and should be requested as a Police request by using the Police button above. Please provide name(s), date, time, and location of the incident, as well as any other information, including phone numbers from which calls were placed, if known.

How do I obtain a traffic collision/accident report?

Traffic collision/accident reports are not subject to the CPRA and may be requested directly from the Redlands Police Department.

For more information, please visit the Redlands Police Department webpage at http://cityofredlands.org/police