Right-to-Know Law (RTKL) Requests for Records

All requests for records under Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law (RTKL) must be submitted in writing and include the following information:

• A clear and specific description of the records requested, sufficient to allow the Eastern Pike Regional Police Department to locate the records.

• The requester’s name and mailing address for response purposes.

Submitting RTKL Requests

RTKL requests should be directed to:

Chief Chad Stewart
Agency Open Records Officer
Eastern Pike Regional Police Department
P.O. Box 309
Matamoras, PA 18336

Fax: 570-491-4040

Requests may be submitted by the following methods:

• U.S. Mail

• Fax: 570-491-4099

• In person during normal business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding holidays and official office closures)

• Email: cstewart@eprpd.org

• Online Right-to-Know Request Form (link below)

Important Limitations Under the RTKL

The following records are not accessible under the Right-to-Know Law:

• Investigative reports (may be obtainable only through a properly executed subpoena)

• Criminal History Record Information

• Accident reports

• Police audio or video recordings, including body-worn and dash camera footage

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Requests for Police Audio and Video Recordings (Act 22 of 2017)

Act 22 of 2017 (Chapter 67A) establishes a separate legal process for requesting audio or video recordings created or maintained by Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies. Requests for these recordings are not governed by the Right-to-Know Law.

How to File an Act 22 Request

Requests for audio or video recordings must:

• Be submitted within 60 days of the date the recording was created.

• Be made in writing to the Agency Open Records Officer (AORO) of the law enforcement agency that possesses the recording.

• Be considered officially received only when hand-delivered to the AORO or marked as delivered by certified mail.

Each request must include:

• The date, time, and location of the recorded event;

• A statement describing the requester’s relationship to the incident; and

• If the incident occurred inside a residence, the names of all individuals present at the time of the recording, unless unknown and not reasonably ascertainable.

Grounds for Denial

An Act 22 request may be denied, in writing, if the recording contains:

• Potential evidence in a criminal investigation;

• Information related to an active investigation or a matter in which criminal charges have been filed;

• Confidential or victim-related information; and

• Information that cannot be adequately protected through reasonable redaction.

Fees for Granted Requests

Pursuant to Act 22, law enforcement agencies may charge a reasonable fee for providing audio or video recordings. The Eastern Pike Regional Police Department has established a fee of $100 per approved recording.

Agency Response Time

The department has 30 days to respond to an Act 22 request. Extensions may be granted if mutually agreed upon by the requester and the agency.

All Act 22 requests must be hand-delivered to the Agency Open Records Officer or sent via certified mail.

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Appeals

If a request is denied, the requester may file an appeal within 30 days of the denial date with the Court of Common Pleas having jurisdiction over the matter.