Iowa State Patrol Enhances Access to Open Records

In an effort to increase the general public’s access to accident and incident report information, the Iowa State Patrol has enhanced its policy ensuring public versions of these records are readily available for review.

While it has been the policy of the Iowa State Patrol to provide public records in compliance with Iowa’s Open Records law, the new procedure will make access to these records more convenient.

Effective March 15, 2005, every Iowa State Patrol District Office is making information available relating to any accident or incident report filed in that District by members of the Iowa State Patrol. Information will be placed in three ring binders and made readily available for public review during normal business hours. The enhanced policy has provisions in place for review of accident and incident reports filed prior to March 15. While these records will not be included in the public binder they are available for review upon request.

Members of the public wishing to review these records are invited to stop by their local Iowa State Patrol District Office during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays.

Colonel Robert O. Garrison, Chief of the Iowa State Patrol stated, “The Iowa State Patrol, as well as the other Divisions of the Department of Public Safety, understands the importance of providing members of the public with information. This enhanced procedure will allow the State Patrol to do this in a more convenient and timely manner.”