Records Division

Pursuant to Chapter 610, Section 610.023 RSMo, Tara Riley is the Custodian of Records on behalf of the West Plains Police Department.

The Custodian of Records is responsible for the dissemination of records outside of this agency within the guidelines set forth by the Missouri Sunshine Law.

Pursuant to the Sunshine Law the custodian of records shall respond to all requests of a public record within 3 days, however if more time is required the response may simply be to explain that more research is required.

Fees may be charged for access and furnishing copies of records shall be as hereinafter provided:

• Fees may not exceed .10 per page for paper copies plus an hourly fee for duplicating time not to exceed the average hourly rate of clerical staff. Research time may be billed at actual cost. Payment is to be made before records are released.

Records may be requested by the following methods:

In Person:

Typical business hours are Monday through Thursday 6am to 4pm. If the clerk is unavailable there are forms in the lobby you may fill out, or you may leave your information for the clerk.

Email:

Email all requests to tara.riley@westplains.gov

Mailed To:

West Plains Police Department

1912 Holiday Lane

Attn: Custodian of Records

West Plains, MO 65775

Faxed To:

417-257-2194

Attn: Custodian of Records

Law Enforcement Records:

In general, all incident and arrest reports are open records, but mobile records and investigative reports are closed records until the investigation becomes inactive, in an arrest record if the person arrested is not charged within 30 days the record is closed. Other exceptions apply with respect to certain mobile video recordings and portions of records, which, if released, would endanger the victims, witnesses, undercover officers, or other persons, or which would jeopardize a criminal investigation.

• If you have a current pending criminal or traffic case and are needing to obtain a copy of your charges Sunshine Law does not apply to criminal defense and any records pertaining to your case would need to be requested from either the City of West Plains Municipal Prosecutor or the Howell County Prosecuting Attorney’s office through the process of Discovery.