Privacy or Access to Information for Public Complaints (5:IV): Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Privacy or Access to Information for Public Complaints (5:IV) (view source)
Revision as of 21:18, 14 August 2024
, 14 August→4. Process of Making a Disclosure Request
| Line 191: | Line 191: | ||
An individual can send a letter to a public body asking for disclosure of information pertaining to that individual or for a correction of information. If the request is for access to information, the head of the public body then has 30 days to respond (this time limit can be extended under section 10) (s 7(1)). Section 8(1) requires that any response must either (a) inform the applicant if they are entitled to access some or all of the requested documents, (b) inform the individual of where, when, and how the record will be disclosed, or (c) detail the reasons the request was denied. | An individual can send a letter to a public body asking for disclosure of information pertaining to that individual or for a correction of information. If the request is for access to information, the head of the public body then has 30 days to respond (this time limit can be extended under section 10) (s 7(1)). Section 8(1) requires that any response must either (a) inform the applicant if they are entitled to access some or all of the requested documents, (b) inform the individual of where, when, and how the record will be disclosed, or (c) detail the reasons the request was denied. | ||
If the request is for a correction of information held by the public body, the head of the public body must either correct the record (section 29(1)), or annotate the information with the correction that was requested (section 29(2)). The head of the public body must next notify all other parties to whom the information in question has been disclosed within the past year (section 29(3)). | |||
Always check with the organization itself to see if it has its own forms for requests; this makes the process much faster. | Always check with the organization itself to see if it has its own forms for requests; this makes the process much faster. | ||
To obtain a copy of a police report, complete the form provided by the “Information and Privacy” section of the police department from which you are requesting the records (for the VPD, you will find the form here: | To obtain a copy of a police report, complete the form provided by the “Information and Privacy” section of the police department from which you are requesting the records (for the VPD, you will find the form here: https://vpd.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/foi-request.pdf). It can be submitted by email, mail, or fax according to the instructions found here: https://vpd.ca/contact-us/information-privacy. | ||
Include a copy of the person’s government-issued photo ID and a cover letter explaining the details of the report you are looking for. If you are asking to receive documents on someone’s behalf you will also need them to sign an authorization or release. There is typically no fee to request documents relating to an interaction you had with police. | |||
If a person has been a victim of property crime, their insurance company might require them to obtain a copy of the police report. | If a person has been a victim of property crime, their insurance company might require them to obtain a copy of the police report. Sometimes the insurer will make the request for you. To obtain this record from the VPD, fill out the [https://vpd.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/vpd-form-1713-request-for-property-report.pdf Request for Property Report form], or send in a written request with the following information: police file number, full name, current address, telephone number, location of incident, type of incident, and any other helpful details. There is a fee for this service, although it is waived for out-of-town visitors and international students upon verification of visitor status. The form, payment ($55.00, which includes applicable taxes), and a copy of your government-issued photo ID should be mailed or brought in person to the following address: | ||
:::ATTENTION: Correspondence Unit | :::ATTENTION: Correspondence Unit | ||
:::Vancouver Police Department | :::Vancouver Police Department | ||
:::3585 Graveley St. | :::3585 Graveley St. | ||
:::Vancouver, BC V5K 5J5 | :::Vancouver, BC V5K 5J5 | ||
For agencies other than the VPD, contact your local police department to determine the process and fee for requesting a copy of a police report. | |||
For further information on the process of making a disclosure request, contact: | For further information on the process of making a disclosure request, contact: | ||