Florida Public Records Law
How to Request Internal Affairs Records in Florida
You can ask a Florida police department for records of closed internal affairs and professional standards investigations under the Florida Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). Response timeline: No fixed number of days. Agencies must acknowledge requests promptly and respond in good faith (s. 119.07(1)(c)).. Be as specific as you can about the date, place, and people involved, and ask for electronic copies.
Last reviewed September 30, 2026. Statute: Chapter 119, Florida Statutes (opens in a new tab).
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Frequently asked questions
- Can I get internal affairs records from a Florida police department?
- You can request records of closed internal affairs and professional standards investigations under the Florida Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). 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 Florida Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes) is: No fixed number of days. Agencies must acknowledge requests promptly and respond in good faith (s. 119.07(1)(c)).. Large video requests can take longer if the agency needs to review or redact footage.