Open Records Request/Right-to-Know Law
Signed on February 14, 2008, the Right-To-Know Law fundamentally changed the way people access public records of their government. To read more about Pennsylvania’s Right-To-Know Law visit the PA Office of Open Records website.
Harrison Township designates the Township Manager as the Right to Know Officer. All requests for documents must be submitted in writing via mail, email, or in person. Our agency (all agencies) has five business days from the date the Open Records Officer receives the request. The agency (Township of Harrison) may request additional time to fill the request but will submit a request for the thirty (30) day time extension within the initial five business day period (from receipt by the Open Records Officer) consistent with Act 3 of 2008.
Right-to-Know Officer
Amy Rockwell
P.O. Box 376
Natrona Heights, PA 15065
Harrison Township has adopted an Open Records Policy which covers these requests.
The Township shall make a good-faith effort to provide the requested public records as quickly as possible The Open Records Officer shall cooperate with those requesting records o review and/or duplicate original documents while taking reasonable measure to preserve Township documents from the possibility of damage, modification, or theft.
If access to a record is denied, the response shall include a reason for denial as stipulated in Act 3.
Fees
Paper copies shall be $0.25 per page per side. The certification of a records is $1 per record. Specialized documents including, but not limited to blueprints, color copies, and non-standard sized documents shall be charge the actual cost of production. If mailing is requested, the cost of postage will be charged. The Township shall require prepayment if the total fees are estimated to exceed $100.00.
Contact Information for Appeals
If a written request is denied or deemed denied, the requester may file an appeal in writing to: Office of Open Records, 333 Market Street, 16th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101-2234. Appeals may also be filed online at the Office of Open Records website.
For denials of criminal records of a local agency, you have the right to file an appeal in writing to Allegheny County District Attorney, Allegheny County Courthouse, 436 Grant Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
Requesting Police Recordings (Video & Audio) in Pennsylvania
Act 22 of 2017 (specifically, Chapter 67A of the Act) established a new process for requesting audio and video recordings in the possession of law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania.
Act 22 applies to individuals seeking “any audio recording or video recording made by a law enforcement agency.” The Right-to-Know Law does not apply to requests for these recordings.
Act 22 defines “law enforcement agency” as:
- The Office of the Attorney General;
- District Attorney’s Office; or
- An agency that employs a law enforcement officer.
A “law enforcement officer” includes a “member of the Pennsylvania State Police, an individual employed as a police officer who holds a current certificate under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21 Subch. D (relating to municipal police education and training), a sheriff or a deputy sheriff.”
Fees
Paper copies shall be $0.25 per page per side. The certification of a records is $1 per record. Specialized documents including, but not limited to blueprints, color copies, and non-standard sized documents shall be charge the actual cost of production. If mailing is requested, the cost of postage will be charged. The Township shall require prepayment if the total fees are estimated to exceed $100.00.
How to File a Request
Under Act 22, a request for an audio or video recording in the possession of a law enforcement agency must be made within 60 days of the date the recording was made. Requests must be submitted via personal delivery or certified mail (§67A03).
A written request must be submitted to the Agency Open Records Officer (AORO) for the law enforcement agency that possesses the record. The request is not officially received until it is personally delivered to the AORO, or when it is marked as “delivered” by certified mail.
The request must include:
- The date, time and location of the event recorded;
- A statement describing the requester’s relationship to the event recorded; and
- If the recorded incident took place inside a residence, the request must also identify every person present at the time of the recording, unless unknown and not reasonably ascertainable.
Once a request is filed, the agency has 30 days to respond, although the requester and agency can agree to an extension.
The OOR has developed this request form for police recordings (also available as a Word file) to help ensure that requesters include all of the required information.
When an Agency Denies a Request
When a request is denied, the requester may appeal within 30 days of the date of denial to the Court of Common Pleas with jurisdiction over the matter (i.e., the court in the county where the recorded event took place).
This appeal is filed as a Petition for Judicial Review and must include:
- A filing fee of $125;
- A copy of the written request and any written responses; and
- Proof that the AORO was served within five days of the filing of the petition.
If the event recorded took place inside a residence, the petitioner must also certify that notice of the petition has been served on each individual present at the time of the recording, and on the owner and occupant of the residence, unless that information is unknown and not reasonably ascertainable.
In all cases, service is effective upon receipt from personal delivery or certified mail with proof of service.
For further information please reference the Office of Open Records