Georgia Open Records Act
How to Request Internal Affairs Records in Georgia
You can ask a Georgia police department for records of closed internal affairs and professional standards investigations under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 50-18-70 and following). Response timeline: The agency must respond within 3 business days, producing available records or giving a timeline for the rest (O.C.G.A. 50-18-71(b)(1)(A)). Any denial must cite the exact code section, subsection and paragraph (O.C.G.A. 50-18-71(d)). The first 15 minutes of search time are free.. Be as specific as you can about the date, place, and people involved, and ask for electronic copies.
Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Statute: O.C.G.A. 50-18-70 and following.
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Frequently asked questions
- Can I get internal affairs records from a Georgia police department?
- You can request records of closed internal affairs and professional standards investigations under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 50-18-70 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 Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 50-18-70 and following) is: The agency must respond within 3 business days, producing available records or giving a timeline for the rest (O.C.G.A. 50-18-71(b)(1)(A)). Any denial must cite the exact code section, subsection and paragraph (O.C.G.A. 50-18-71(d)). The first 15 minutes of search time are free.. Large video requests can take longer if the agency needs to review or redact footage.