RICHMOND,Va. – State Police have launched a new websiteon Thursday, designed to make open record requests easier for the pubic.
The online portal allows the public to submit and track Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests related to the department. It is also available to attorneys to upload subpoenas and discovery requests.
“Within the first nine months of 2020, our Office of Legal Affairs has received, processed and responded to more than 3,180 FOIA requests for Virginia State Police records,” said Col. Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “Public record, subpoena and discovery requests have been steadily increasing in recent years. This new online records management system will not only be of great benefit to requesters, but also streamlines the FOIA process within our statewide agency and helps the Department to more efficiently process and respond to requests.”
The new website features a frequently asked questions page to help requesters with understanding their FOIA rights, how to submit a request, costs, contacts, list of FOIA exemptions as granted by the Code of Virginia, and a link to the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council.
The new online portal is not for requesting a criminal history background check, however it can be requested here.
