The Freedom of Information Law (“FOIL”), Article 6 (Sections 84-90) of the NYS Public Officers Law, provides the public the right to access to records maintained by government agencies with certain exceptions.
“Record” means any information kept, held, filed, produced or reproduced by, with, or for this agency, in any physical form whatsoever including, but not limited to, reports, statements, examinations, memoranda, opinions, folders, files, books, manuals, pamphlets, forms, papers, designs, drawings, maps, photos, letters, microfilms, computer tapes or disks, rules, regulations or codes.
Complete Form Online or Print and Mail Requests To
Seneca Falls Police Department
Records Division
130 Ovid Street, Suite 101
Seneca Falls, New York 13148
Within five (5) business days of the receipt of the written request for a record reasonably described, we will send you a letter either: making such record available; denying such request in writing; or furnishing a written acknowledgement of the receipt of such request with an estimated time frame the request will be made available.
If the records you request require a fee to be paid, you will be notified prior to the records being released to you. Unless a different fee is otherwise prescribed by statute, Public Officers Law §87(1) authorizes an agency to charge a fee of 25¢ per page for copies of records up 9”x 14” in size, or the actual cost of reproducing a record.
Payment should be made by cash (in person only) or money order/cashiers check. The police department does not accept personal check or credit cards. Upon receipt of payment, we will prepare and forward a copy of the applicable record(s) directly to the requestor.
There is no fee for only inspecting records at the police department. Records are available for inspection, by appointment, on business days between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm at the police department. Upon receipt of a request to inspect records, we will notify you whether the records will be made available for inspection and of the earliest available appointment.
Under provisions of the Public Officers Law you may appeal a FOIL determination. If you desire to submit such an appeal, you must do so within 30 days of the written response to your FOIL request. Please include a copy of the original request for records and a copy of the FOIL response letter you received along with your appeal letter to:
Seneca Falls Town Board
Attn: Records Appeal Officer
130 Ovid Street
Seneca Falls, New York 13148
You will be informed in writing of the decision within seven business days of our receipt of such an appeal.
Make sure you are asking for specific records and not abstract ideas. Identifying incidents by their locations is essential; also include complete names, dates of birth, other relevant dates, descriptions, addresses, and any other identifying data.
Refrain from requesting lengthy lists of records. Try to group related records and submit separate requests.
Review the exemptions described in the Public Officers Law, Article 6, § 87 and § 89 for an understanding of possible redactions or denials of records.
The Seneca Falls Police Department maintains only those records associated with Seneca Falls Police Department arrests and investigations. Records of other local, county, or state law enforcement agencies are maintained by the respective agency. Requests for other law enforcement agency records should be made directly to that agency.
Please note: An individual cannot use the FOIL process to request criminal history records.
Criminal history records maintained by the Division of Criminal Justice Services are disclosed only if permitted by law and state regulation. Individuals who wish to obtain their own criminal history should view the DCJS Record Review process and instructions.