Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA)
How to Request Body Camera Footage in Indiana
You can ask a Indiana police department for body-worn camera and dash camera video under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA) (Ind. Code 5-14-3). Response timeline: Any person may request records, with no reason required. The agency must respond within 24 hours to in-person or phone requests, and within 7 days to requests by mail, fax or email, or the request is deemed denied (IC 5-14-3-9). This is a deadline to respond, not to produce the records. Police have broad discretion to withhold investigatory records, even after a case closes (IC 5-14-3-4(b)(1)), but must release basic arrest and incident information. Complaints go to the Public Access Counselor.. Be as specific as you can about the date, place, and people involved, and ask for electronic copies.
Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Statute: Ind. Code 5-14-3.
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Frequently asked questions
- Can I get body camera footage from a Indiana police department?
- You can request body-worn camera and dash camera video under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA) (Ind. Code 5-14-3). 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 body camera footage?
- 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 Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA) (Ind. Code 5-14-3) is: Any person may request records, with no reason required. The agency must respond within 24 hours to in-person or phone requests, and within 7 days to requests by mail, fax or email, or the request is deemed denied (IC 5-14-3-9). This is a deadline to respond, not to produce the records. Police have broad discretion to withhold investigatory records, even after a case closes (IC 5-14-3-4(b)(1)), but must release basic arrest and incident information. Complaints go to the Public Access Counselor.. Large video requests can take longer if the agency needs to review or redact footage.