FOIA Requests

Beckley Police Department / Records

Freedom of Information Act Requests

How to request public records from the Beckley Police Department under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

Public records

The Act

The West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, W.Va. Code 29B-1-1 et seq., requires public bodies to provide public records in response to requests, unless those records are exempt from disclosure under the Act.

Certain personal information on police records is protected by the Federal Privacy Protection Act, 552b, and by section 29B-1-4 of the West Virginia Code, Freedom of Information of Public Records.

Making a request

How to File

Filing a Request

No particular form is required to submit a FOIA request. To make sure we understand exactly what you want, we need your request in writing.

Costs

A $10.00 search fee is charged for FOIA requests unless you or your organization are exempt. Government agencies, public officers, boards or bodies, volunteer fire companies, and educational and scientific institutions are exempt. The search fee is charged for every search even if no record is found.

Requests that are burdensome or extensive and require more than one hour of compilation may carry an additional search fee. If there is an additional cost we will tell you the amount before making the copies, unless you give us a limit. In some cases we may send an estimated bill and request payment before sending the records.

Inspecting Records

If you wish to inspect records rather than receive copies, please state so in your request and we will arrange it. There is no reproduction fee for inspection of records.

Contact

Submit a FOIA Request

Requests must be in writing. In an emergency, call 911.

Records Division

Mailing address

Beckley Police Department
Attn: Records Division
501 Neville Street
Beckley, WV 25801

Search fee

$10.00 per search, unless exempt

Format

Copies, or inspection at no reproduction fee

Phone

304-256-1720

Fax

304-256-1731

Emergency

911

Non-emergency
Police department