Arkansas Freedom of Information Act
How to Request Internal Affairs Records in Arkansas
You can ask a Arkansas police department for records of closed internal affairs and professional standards investigations under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (Ark. Code Ann. 25-19-101 and following). Response timeline: Records must be open for inspection during regular business hours. If they are in active use or storage, the custodian must certify that in writing and set a date and time within 3 working days when they will be available (Ark. Code Ann. 25-19-105(e)). IMPORTANT: the Act grants rights to citizens of Arkansas (Ark. Code Ann. 25-19-105(a)).. Be as specific as you can about the date, place, and people involved, and ask for electronic copies.
Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Statute: Ark. Code Ann. 25-19-101 and following.
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Frequently asked questions
- Can I get internal affairs records from a Arkansas police department?
- You can request records of closed internal affairs and professional standards investigations under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (Ark. Code Ann. 25-19-101 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 internal affairs records?
- 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 Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (Ark. Code Ann. 25-19-101 and following) is: Records must be open for inspection during regular business hours. If they are in active use or storage, the custodian must certify that in writing and set a date and time within 3 working days when they will be available (Ark. Code Ann. 25-19-105(e)). IMPORTANT: the Act grants rights to citizens of Arkansas (Ark. Code Ann. 25-19-105(a)).. Large video requests can take longer if the agency needs to review or redact footage.