Open Records Requests

The Records Division accepts requests for public information records.

What you should know

Accident reports can be purchased in the TxDOT Crash Report Purchase Portal

Traffic Accident Reports: Texas Transportation Code Sec. 550.065(c)(4) restricts the release of un-redacted crash reports to persons directly concerned in the accident or having a proper interest therein. A crash report with redactions made (the public portion) under Sec. 550.065(f)(2) may be released to any person. A person requesting a crash report must submit a BPD Crash Report Request Form.  


Confidential Information: To ensure that privacy concerns are protected and legal standards are met, the City of Brownwood may object to the following types of report data being made available to the public. Among the exclusions are: 

  • Sexually oriented reports 
  • Reports involving juveniles / children / minors 
  • Reports with suspects and witness information (information on people not arrested)
  • Attempted Suicide reports 
  • Reports regarding the mentally ill
  • Information regarding active criminal investigations

 

Voluminous requests may be subject to labor fees ($15.00 per hour plus overhead). You will be notified of any fees which must be paid prior to the release of any records. The Brownwood Police Department Records Office will make every effort to get the information that you request to you immediately. The time taken to process your request will vary depending on the volume of requests received by the Records Office. 

The Brownwood Police Department reserves the right to seek a ruling from the Texas Office of the Attorney General regarding the release of any records. If such a ruling is sought, the Records Office will notify you of that fact within ten (10) business days, excluding weekends and city closures.

For police reports related to a pending criminal prosecution, the City can object to release of the report. However, except for cases involving a minor, the public portion of the report may be released. The public portion of a report includes: 

  • The basic information of the arrested person(s) 
  • The basic information of the victim/complainant/reporting person 
  • The basic narrative

The public portion of a report (in most cases) does not include: 

  • The date of birth, phone number, and personal information of an arrested person. 
  • Any details of a suspected person(s) (a person that was not arrested). 
  • Any other details of the victim/complainant/reporting person other than their name, age, and description.
  • Any details of any witnesses.
  1. Public Information Act
  2. Rights of Requester

The Public Information Act

 Texas law gives you the right to access certain government records. Most government information is presumed to be available to the public. Several exceptions apply to law enforcement information. Governmental bodies should promptly release requested information that is not confidential by law, statutes, family or health codes, or information for which an exception to disclosure has been sought. 
 
To request records under the Public Information Act, you may obtain and submit the request form at the Records Division located at the Brown County Law Enforcement Center, located at 1050 W. Commerce. Requests can also be submitted as an online form here, by mail, fax at 325-646-4939, or in person. 
 
Fees for open records requests are determined by the Public Information Act. An estimate of cost will be provided before processing if the charge exceeds $40. Fees are generally $0.10 per page and $15 per hour of labor if applicable.