FAQ for SAPD Records
Must my request be in writing?
No. Public records requests do not have to be made in writing unless specifically required by statute. However, SAPD receives many public records requests and to help us better identify your responsive records, we ask you to voluntarily make your request in writing. This provides an accurate description of the public records requested and helps us provide you with a pertinent and accurate response. Providing the request in writing tells us precisely whit records you are seeking. IT is good practice to be as specific and precis as you can when making a request.
Will I receive acknowledgment of my public records request?
Yes. SAPD acknowledges each received public records request. If you make a request and do not receive an acknowledgement within a short time, please contact SAPD at (904) 825-1070, or records@staugpd.com to verify that we did in fact receive your request.
Does SAPD have to respond to a broadly-stated request?
SAPD is obligated by law to respond to your request. However, if your request is broad and results in a large volume of responsive records, you may be invoiced and assessed costs according to Florida Statures Chapter 119. Sometimes a request is too broad for SAPD to identify particular records responsive to your request. In such instances, a representative of SAPD may discuss your request with you to see if it can be clarified or revised to be more specific.
Can additional cost be assessed regarding a public records request?
Yes. SAPD will assess a statutory "extensive use" charge for any request requiring more than thirty (30) minutes of clerical or information technology resources. SAPD voluntarily waives the first 30 minutes of resources required to fulfill your request. Pursuant to section 119.07(4)(d), Florida Statutes, if the nature or volume of public records requested to be inspected or copied requires extensive use of information technology resources or extensive clerical or supervisory assistance by SAPD and/or agency vendors/contractors, or both, a service charge will be incurred. These service charges must be paid in full before the public records request is provided to the requestor.
How can cost be reduced?
In general, narrowing, focusing and making your public records request as specific as possible may reduce the "extensive use" costs. Labor coasts can be reduced significantly if requests include keywords instead of open-ended terms such as "any and all records." Similarly, narrowing a request to certain individuals, a specific event, or a particular date range can greatly reduce the use of extensive labor.
Is a criminal history available at no cost?
No. As established by statute, the cost of obtaining a Florida Criminal History report is $24.00 per name submitted. Requests for Florida Criminal Histories can be made at https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Criminal-History-Records
Does SAPD have to create a record if I request it?
No. Florida's public records law does not obligate agencies to create records. It requires agencies to make available to the public copies of the records it already has.
Does SAPD have to answer questions I have about what is stated in records?
No. Florida's public records law obligates agencies to provide copies of public records. It does not require agencies to "explain" records or answer questions based in the records' content. Agencies are free to decide whether to answer questions about particular records or not.
What records are exempt?
Various types of records are considered exempt and/or confidential and therefore, not available through a public records request. Specific statutory exemption are contained throughout Florida Statures. Specifically, Florida Statures Section 119.071 defines which records are exempt from inspection or copying and contains some commonly cited exemptions which include active criminal intelligence information, active criminal investigative information, and security system plans. To view these exemption, please visit http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?mode=View%20Statutes&SubMenu=1&App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=119.07&URL=0100-0199/0119/Sections/0119.071.html
How long will my request take?
All public records requests are completed in the order that they are received. Once the responsive records have been retrieved, the records must be manually reviewed, and redaction may be required to prevent confidential or exempt information from being disclosed. Each request is unique and requires time to research and review. The nature and volume of the responsive records may increase the time it takes to fulfill requests.
Can I impose a response deadline upon my request?
No. Agencies are obligated to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time. Each request and the time required to respond to each request, varies greatly. Your request will be handled as promptly as possible.
Will my request be closed if I don't pay the invoice amount or return a response for clarification pertaining to my public records request?
Yes. Public records requests will be closed if the requesting party fails to pay the invoice or fails to respond to inquiries for clarification pertaining to a public records request for thirty (30) days following the issuance of the invoice or clarification inquiry. If a response to an inquiry for clarification is made after 30 days from the inquiry, the request must be resubmitted and processed as a new request.
Who is the records custodian to contact if I have questions?
Patrice Drinkard, Records Supervisor is SAPD's "Public Records" records custodian.
St Augustine Police Department
151 King St
St Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: (904) 825-1070