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Local Authorities Graded On Open Records Compliance

POSTED: 7:30 pm PST November 27, 2007
UPDATED: 1:26 pm PST December 28, 2007

Public records should be available to public.

But that's not necessarily the case, as the 10News I-Team found out in an exclusive three-part investigation.

The 10News I-Team partnered with Californians Aware (www.calaware.org), a group that advocates open records, to audit law enforcement agencies in San Diego County.

The 10News I-Team sent staff members undercover to 22 law enforcement agencies all over the county. During the surprise visit, conducted on October 16, auditors requested information about a burglary that had occurred in the area within the past two weeks.

Law enforcement agencies were graded on legal compliance and customer service. They lost points for violating California's public records laws by asking auditors to tell them their names or why they were requesting the information. Under the law, auditors are not required to give out personal information to get access to the public record.

They also lost points if they did not respond within 10 days to a written request, which each auditor mailed to the agency requesting information about copying fees.

Results from the San Diego County audit are included in Calaware's statewide effort to test how well law enforcement agencies are complying with open records laws.


  • Video: Overall Grades Rise In County Agencies
  • Video: El Cajon P.D. Among Those With Low Grades
  • Video: Several Agencies Get High Marks

    The Coronado Police Department earned the best grade in San Diego County with a score of 100 for legal compliance and a score of 105 for customer service.

    Ten months ago, the 10News I-Team and Calaware conducted an open records audit of the same law enforcement agencies, except for the college campus police which were added to this recent audit. The average grade then was an F. To read more about the previous audit, click here.


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