Maryland Public Information Act
How to Request Internal Affairs Records in Maryland
You can ask a Maryland police department for records of closed internal affairs and professional standards investigations under the Maryland Public Information Act (Md. Code, General Provisions 4-101 and following). Response timeline: The custodian must grant or deny a request promptly and no later than 30 days after receiving it. If producing the records will take more than 10 working days, the custodian must say so in writing within 10 working days, with the expected time and fee range (GP 4-203). Denials must be explained in writing. Under Anton's Law (2021), records of investigations into police misconduct are no longer secret personnel records and can be requested. Disputes go to the Public Access Ombudsman, then the PIA Compliance Board.. Be as specific as you can about the date, place, and people involved, and ask for electronic copies.
Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Statute: Md. Code, General Provisions 4-101 and following.
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Frequently asked questions
- Can I get internal affairs records from a Maryland police department?
- You can request records of closed internal affairs and professional standards investigations under the Maryland Public Information Act (Md. Code, General Provisions 4-101 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 Maryland Public Information Act (Md. Code, General Provisions 4-101 and following) is: The custodian must grant or deny a request promptly and no later than 30 days after receiving it. If producing the records will take more than 10 working days, the custodian must say so in writing within 10 working days, with the expected time and fee range (GP 4-203). Denials must be explained in writing. Under Anton's Law (2021), records of investigations into police misconduct are no longer secret personnel records and can be requested. Disputes go to the Public Access Ombudsman, then the PIA Compliance Board.. Large video requests can take longer if the agency needs to review or redact footage.