Request Police Public Records

Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes is known as the Florida Public Records Act.

FS 119.011(12) defines “Public records” as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material, regardless of the physical form, characteristics, or means of transmission, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency.

The quickest way to fill out a request for records with the Gulf Breeze Police Department is by filling out this FORM. However, requests for records may be made in writing, email, telephone, fax, letter, or in person to: 

Kaye Morros
Senior Administrative Assistant
Gulf Breeze Police Department
311 Fairpoint Drive
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
[email protected]

Requesters do not have to identify themselves or state the reason they desire the records. Although the Public Records Act does not require that requests be submitted in writing, doing so provides real practical benefits to the requester by ensuring they have an accurate record of what they requested. When submitting a request, be as specific as you can, describing types of records, dates, parties to correspondence, subject matter, etc. Narrowing a request to certain individuals, a specific event, or a date range can greatly reduce the use of extensive labor. Labor costs can be reduced significantly if requests include keywords instead of open-ended terms such as “any and all records. Very broad requests can take longer to fulfill and are subject a statutory extensive use” charge.

The Public Records Act does not contain a specific time limit for compliance with public records requests. Under the provisions of Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, the only delay in producing records “is the reasonable time allowed to retrieve the record, to review the record for exempt information, and redact those portions of the record which are exempt.” Many factors determine the “reasonable” period of time in which the requested information can be provided: the nature of the request, the time involved in collecting and generating the requested information, the scope and volume of the material involved, the general accessibility of the records, the personnel required to process the request and information resources necessary to collect or generate the requested information. While every effort will be made to comply with public records requests promptly and in good faith, an initial acknowledgment of any public records request should be received within seventy-two (72) hours and will be processed in the order in which it is received.

The Public Records Act allows the City to collect a “per copy” fee or the actual cost for materials and supplies used to duplicate records.

In accordance with Florida Statutes 119.07(4)(d), the City may collect a reasonable service charge when a request to inspect or copy public records requires the extensive use of technology resources and/or the extensive use of clerical or supervisory assistance. A service charge for the extensive use of City resources will be imposed if a request to inspect or copy public records takes more than 30 minutes to locate, review and/or redact exempt information, and copy the requested public records.

Information about records that are exempt from the Public Records Act can be found within the Florida Statutes under Title X Chapter 119: 119.071 General exemptions from inspection or copying of public records.