Arizona Public Records Law
How to Request Use of Force Reports in Arizona
You can ask a Arizona police department for use of force reports under the Arizona Public Records Law (A.R.S. 39-121 and following). Response timeline: No fixed number of days. The custodian must promptly furnish copies (A.R.S. 39-121.01(D)(1)), and failing to respond promptly is treated as a denial you can take to court (A.R.S. 39-121.01(E)). Arizona courts judge promptness case by case. When you request, you must state whether the records are for a commercial purpose; for a personal or news request, state that they are not.. Be as specific as you can about the date, place, and people involved, and ask for electronic copies.
Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Statute: A.R.S. 39-121 and following (opens in a new tab).
Write your Arizona request
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Frequently asked questions
- Can I get use of force reports from a Arizona police department?
- You can request use of force reports under the Arizona Public Records Law (A.R.S. 39-121 and following). Some records may be withheld or redacted under exemptions in the law, for example for open investigations or privacy.
- What should I include in a request for use of force reports?
- Name the department, describe the records as precisely as you can (date, time, location, officer name or badge number, case number), ask for electronic copies, and ask for a fee estimate first.
- How long will it take?
- The response timeline under the Arizona Public Records Law (A.R.S. 39-121 and following) is: No fixed number of days. The custodian must promptly furnish copies (A.R.S. 39-121.01(D)(1)), and failing to respond promptly is treated as a denial you can take to court (A.R.S. 39-121.01(E)). Arizona courts judge promptness case by case. When you request, you must state whether the records are for a commercial purpose; for a personal or news request, state that they are not.. Large video requests can take longer if the agency needs to review or redact footage.