The Public Information Act gives the public right of access to government information. A person may ask to review the documents, obtain copies, or both. This only includes documents that are in existence when the request is made. It does not require the government body to create documents or do legal research. The only legal requirement to submit an open records request is that it be in writing.
The Act is triggered when a person submits a written request to the governmental body. The Public Information Act prohibits the governmental body from asking you why you want the information you have requested. The governmental body may, however, ask you to clarify your request if they are uncertain as to what you want, and they may discuss with you how the scope of your request may be narrowed if you have requested a large amount of information.
The governmental body must "promptly" produce public information in response to your request. "Promptly" means that a governmental body may take a reasonable amount of time to produce the information, which varies depending on the facts in each case. The amount of information you have requested is highly relevant to what makes for a reasonable response time.
Requests for public information can be made in the following ways:
- Online at www.bedfordtx.gov/pir
- In-person at the Records counter at the Bedford Police Department, 2121 L Don Dodson Dr, in Bedford
- By mail: Bedford Police Department, Attn: Records Division, 2121 L Don Dodson Dr, Bedford, Texas 76021