Editorial standards
How incidents are sourced
Every incident on CopFax is tied to a source anyone can check: the original publicly available video, embedded and linked on the incident page, and any related public records, each with a link to where it came from. We credit the channel that filmed or published the video. If we cannot link a source, we do not publish the claim.
Human review before publishing
Automated tools help us find videos and records, but nothing is published without a person reviewing it. A reviewer watches the source video, confirms the department and location, checks the summary against the source, and approves or rejects it. Records such as lawsuits are confirmed against the court docket before they appear.
Naming policy
We name an officer only when the officer is identified in the source video (for example by name tag, badge, or stated name) or in a public record. Each officer page says how the officer was identified. We do not publish home addresses, family details, or other private information.
Facts and the CopFax assessment
Incident summaries are written in neutral, factual language that describes what the source shows. Separately, some incidents carry a "How police handled it" rating. That rating is clearly labeled as the CopFax assessment and is opinion, not a statement of fact.
Lawsuits are allegations
Lawsuits and complaints are reported as allegations. A lawsuit being filed does not mean its claims are true. Where we know the outcome, such as a dismissal, settlement, or judgment, we say so, and we link to the court record.
Corrections and right of reply
If anything on CopFax is inaccurate, use our corrections form with supporting documents. Supported corrections are made promptly and listed publicly on the corrections page. Officers and departments named on CopFax may submit a response through the same form.
Independence
CopFax is an independent, noncommercial project. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to CARFAX, Inc., any government agency, or any police department. We do not sell data or accept payment for coverage.
Not legal advice
CopFax is not a law firm. Guides and the records request letter generator are general information, not legal advice. For advice about your situation, talk to a lawyer.