Oklahoma Open Records Act
How to Request Internal Affairs Records in Oklahoma
You can ask a Oklahoma police department for records of closed internal affairs and professional standards investigations under the Oklahoma Open Records Act (51 O.S. 24A.1 and following). Response timeline: No fixed number of days. Agencies must provide prompt, reasonable access to records (51 O.S. 24A.5). Police must release specific categories under 51 O.S. 24A.8, including arrest information and, since 2015, body camera and dash camera recordings that show things like use of force, arrests, deaths or serious injuries caused by officers, and any exercise of police authority, with limited redactions. Other law enforcement records can be withheld unless a court finds the public interest outweighs the reason for denial.. Be as specific as you can about the date, place, and people involved, and ask for electronic copies.
Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Statute: 51 O.S. 24A.1 and following.
Write your Oklahoma request
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Frequently asked questions
- Can I get internal affairs records from a Oklahoma police department?
- You can request records of closed internal affairs and professional standards investigations under the Oklahoma Open Records Act (51 O.S. 24A.1 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 Oklahoma Open Records Act (51 O.S. 24A.1 and following) is: No fixed number of days. Agencies must provide prompt, reasonable access to records (51 O.S. 24A.5). Police must release specific categories under 51 O.S. 24A.8, including arrest information and, since 2015, body camera and dash camera recordings that show things like use of force, arrests, deaths or serious injuries caused by officers, and any exercise of police authority, with limited redactions. Other law enforcement records can be withheld unless a court finds the public interest outweighs the reason for denial.. Large video requests can take longer if the agency needs to review or redact footage.