1. Identify the agency that holds the footage
Body-worn camera video is retained by the specific department whose officer recorded it — usually a city police department, county sheriff's office, state police / highway patrol, or a federal agency such as the U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, or ATF. Confirm the agency from a news release, a booking record, or the responding department's incident number before submitting anything. Requesting from the wrong agency is the most common reason a records request is delayed or denied.
2. Gather the incident details you'll need
Every agency will ask for enough information to locate the exact recording:
- Date and approximate time of the incident
- Location (address, intersection, or landmark)
- Case or incident number, if known
- Names of officers or badge numbers, if known
- Your relationship to the incident (subject, next of kin, media, general public)
3. Submit a public records / FOIA request in writing
At the federal level, requests are governed by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Every state has its own equivalent — often called a Public Records Act, Open Records Act, or Sunshine Law. File in writing (email or the agency's online portal), cite the correct statute, and be specific about what you're asking for.
A short template that works in most jurisdictions:
Under the [state] Public Records Act, I request a copy of all body-worn camera footage recorded by [agency] officers in connection with incident #[number] on [date] at [location]. Please produce responsive records in their original digital format. If any portion is withheld, please cite the specific statutory exemption.
4. Fees and response timelines
Most agencies may charge reasonable duplication or redaction fees — video redaction (blurring faces, muting audio) is time-consuming and often the largest cost. Statutory response windows vary widely:
- Federal FOIA: initial determination within 20 business days.
- California (CPRA): initial response within 10 days.
- Florida (Sunshine Law): "reasonable time" — often the fastest.
- New York (FOIL): acknowledgement within 5 business days.
- Texas (PIA): promptly, and no later than 10 business days.
5. Is police bodycam footage a public record?
It depends on the state. Some states (Washington, Florida, and Nevada, for example) treat bodycam video as a presumptively public record subject to narrow privacy exemptions. Others (including North Carolina and South Carolina) require a court order for release. California's AB 748 requires release of critical-incident video — shootings and serious use-of-force — within 45 days. In every state, agencies can redact footage that shows minors, victims of certain crimes, medical treatment, interiors of private residences, or ongoing investigations.
6. What to do if you're denied
A denial must cite the specific exemption. You typically have the right to administratively appeal within the agency, then to petition a court. Nonprofit legal resources such as the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and the National Freedom of Information Coalition publish state-by-state guides and free appeal templates.
7. Working with the press
If your goal is public accountability rather than a personal copy, contacting a local newsroom (or submitting a tip to UNCUT RAW CAM) can be effective — outlets often have standing records-request pipelines and legal support to challenge denials.