FOIA Guide for Law Enforcement

In December, 1999, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police published the first edition of the “Law Enforcement Guide to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.” The booklet was distributed to law enforcement agencies across Virginia, and has been used extensively as a training manual and field guide for officers. The Association published a second edition of this guide in 2002.

In 2006, the VACP produced this third edition with updated legal references and practical guidance.

The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police would like to thank Mr. Warren Carmichael, retired Public Information Officer for the Fairfax County Police Department, for authoring this guide. Special thanks also to the Virginia Criminal Justice Services Board and Director Leonard Cooke of the Department of Criminal Justice Services for their support of this effort. We hope that this guide will help Virginia law enforcement agencies in understanding the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and in responding effectively to information requests from the media and the public.

Chief J. Michael Yost
2006-2007 VACP President
Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police
November, 2006

Law Enforcement Guide to Va. FOIA, 3rd Edition

Free copies of the 3rd Edition of the FOIA Guide are no longer available. We plan to revise the guide and print a 4th Edition in the future. In the meantime, please feel free to download and use this PDF version of the FOIA Guide, 3rd Edition.
RELATED LINKS:
Virginia FOIA Council

Citizen's Guide to FOIA