[Meta: In certain circumstances, you might want to obtain police dispatch calls. Our article tells you if these are public records and whether or not this is possible.]
Most individuals are familiar with the fact that police dispatch and other 911 calls are often recorded. These recordings are utilized to help police and other investigative individuals understand what happened during the call after emergency services have been rendered.
Because of this, you may be wondering if it is possible to obtain one of these records for a call that you or someone else has made. Our article gives you more information on whether or not police dispatch calls are public record and if you can request a recording of one.
What Is Public Record?
Public records are information items or recordings that are available to the general public as part of an attempt to make things transparent, allow individuals freedom of information rights, and provide people with the opportunity to locate vital safety information, such as criminal records, civil records, and other court proceedings.
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You can search for important public records on an individual using an online public record search to help speed up the process of discovering and collecting all of this information separately.
Police dispatch and 911 calls are often recorded for review after the call and as a way to keep a record of everything that happened leading up to emergency services being provided, if necessary. States do have varying laws about whether or not police dispatch and 911 calls are public record, but most states do hold onto these records for about a year after the date (maybe longer or shorter, depending on state laws).
Are Police Dispatch Calls Publicly Available?
Police dispatch calls and other 911 calls are most likely to be publicly available in your state. However, it’s important that you double-check state disclosure laws and who is eligible to request these records. Some states only allow for calls to be released in certain circumstances if investigations are ongoing, and other states require specific formal request processes.
Other laws may require that the call is released only upon the request of a legal professional, or that the caller or a representative of the caller (if deceased or otherwise unavailable) is eligible to receive the call record.
Make sure that you research the laws and eligibility in your state regarding police dispatch and 911 call records before making a request so you can receive the best results.
How Can You Access Public 911 Calls?
The process of accessing 911 or police dispatch calls that are being held as public record can be confusing, and it changes greatly based on the state that you are living in.
You can check out this article for information on specific state laws surrounding the release of police dispatch and 911 calls, or contact a legal professional if you need advice on how to request one of these call records.
Reasons for Obtaining a Police Dispatch Call Record
There are many reasons that someone might want to obtain a police dispatch call record, with the most notable being freedom of information. Most police dispatch and 911 calls are considered public records in most states, and obtaining these calls is a right supported by the first amendment.
Other reasons that police dispatch call records and 911 calls are often made public, and shown on the news or other outlets, are to dispel conspiracy theories, clear up rumors about notorious cases, and allow transparency for emergency services that are being provided to the public.
Finding the Call Records You Need
Finding police dispatch calls or 911 calls that are considered part of the public record might not be the easiest process, but it is usually possible. Make sure that you carefully review the provisions and laws your state has surrounding the release of these records, and always consult with a legal professional if you have questions about making requests. Take these steps, and you will have access to the important call records you need in no time.
