Ohio Public Records Briefing - Issue #4

Police officers' addresses can sometimes be a public record, public records training for elected officials, and much more. Read on!

Welcome to the Ohio Public Records Briefing Issue #4. One of our readers sent us an email and said “Thank you for compiling a newsletter that covers public records. It's been very helpful so far.” We hope you feel the same way! Send us emails with questions, comments, or stock market tips!

Fun Fact

Addresses of police officers are not a public record, unless you're a reporter.

You probably know that the home addresses of police officers and other first responders can be withheld or redacted from a records request thanks to the "designated public service worker" exception found in R.C. 149.43(A)(7). “Public service” worker is an odd construct and it’s unclear what the legislative drafting team was thinking when they put it in the Public Records Act. But it covers first responders and others.

But, did you know, R.C. 149.43(B)(9)(b) says that being a “journalist” supersedes that privilege? It's true, with some additional rules of course. Before you yell “fake news!” – keep reading.