TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
Police
Chief Darrell Lowe
425-556-2521
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
Police
Mavic Hizon
Civilian Commander
TITLE:
title
A Resolution Amending the City's User Fee Schedule to Add a Bodyworn Camera Video Redaction Fee for Public Records Requests
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
All commissioned officers are authorized to use and/or are equipped with Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs). Recordings captured by BWCs constitute public records and are subject to disclosure under the Washington Public Records Act (Chapter 42.56 RCW). The Department requests approval to establish a redaction fee for BWC video recordings in the amount of $0.88 per minute.
body
? Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
? Receive Information ? Provide Direction ? Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
* Relevant Plans/Policies:
Washington Public Records Act (Chapter 42.56 RCW)
* Required:
RCW 42.56.070
RCW 42.56.120
RMC Chapter 1.03, Section 1.03.080 - Public access to records.
* Council Request:
N/A
* Other Key Facts:
This item is being presented to the City Council for approval of a cost recovery fee to cover the production costs associated with releasing public records that contain Body-Worn Camera (BWC) footage. The Police Department has experienced a significant increase in public records requests for BWC video, which has placed a growing burden on the Records Division. This division is currently staffed by only two employees dedicated to processing these requests, resulting in a substantial backlog in production.
Public Records Requests for Redmond Police Department's BWC video footage:
2023 - 1,913
2024 - 2,111
2025 - 2,128
Under the Washington Public Records Act (PRA), Chapter 42.56 RCW, all BWC recordings are considered public records, subject to disclosure upon request, and may require redaction to protect privacy or other sensitive information. The...
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