Document Number:
COPS-0002
Document Owner:
University Police
Revision #:
v1.0
Status:
Approved

General Description

Policy Summary:

In responding to open records requests for public information, (i.e. information relating solely to law enforcement activities), Trinity University is committed to providing customer friendly service and processing all requests pursuant to the PIA. Information solely relating to law enforcement activities is public unless it is confidential by law and/or falls within an exception to the PIA.

Purpose:

Under the Texas Education Code 51.212 subsection (f) information relating solely to law enforcement activities of a campus police department are subject to the Texas Public Information Act, Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code (the “PIA”).

Exceptions:

None.

Policy Content

Requests for information relating solely to law enforcement activities can be mailed, hand-delivered, faxed, or sent by electronic mail. Electronic mail or facsimile requests must be sent to the electronic address and fax number listed below.
  • Fax: 210-999-8329
  • E-mail: openrecords@trinity.edu
  • If you are mailing your request, please address the envelope to “Open Records” and send to the address: Trinity University Police Department One Trinity Place, San Antonio, Texas 78212
*To request transcripts please refer to the Office of the Registrar.

Requests for records relating solely to law enforcement activities under the PIA must be in writing. Including the following information in your request will help ensure that your request is processed timely and accurately:
  • Your name and mailing address (so we can send you a response);
  • Your phone number (so we can contact you if we have questions about how to respond to your request); and
A list or description of the specific law enforcement information you are interested in, including time periods. Please include enough description and detail about the information you are requesting to enable us to accurately identify and locate the information requested.

Under the Texas Education Code 51.212 subsection (f) and the Texas Public Information Act, I request access to______ copies of ____________ [or copies of]_____________[Include the name of the document or the type of information. You may also request the information in a particular format (for example: a paper copy or digital format, subject to the terms, including the cost provisions, of the PIA)]. Please provide the information to me at __________________________.

  • Charges for copies of public information are set by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas - Open Records Division. Detail information regarding the various charges can be found on the Attorney General’s website.
  • If the charge for fulfilling your requests exceeds $40.00, we will provide you with an itemized written estimate of the charges and indicate if a less costly alternative is available. You must respond in writing within 10 business days after the estimate is sent that you will accept the costs, or that you desire any stated alternative, or your request will be considered withdrawn.
  • If the estimated charge is more than $100.00, the University will generally require a prepaid deposit or bond before providing the information. Also, if you have an unpaid balance of more than $100.00 relating to previous requests, a prepaid deposit or bond will be required and all unpaid balances relating to the previous requests must be paid before your new request will be processed.
Some of the information maintained by Trinity University may be confidential and not subject to public disclosure under the Texas Education Code 51.212 subsection (f) and the PIA, including, but not limited to:
  • Certain student information/records;
  • Certain medical information/records;
  • Driver’s license and motor vehicle information;
  • Attorney-client communications;
  • Attorney work product;
  • Documents made confidential by statute or law;
  • Documents claimed to be proprietary by a third party (trade secret information or financial information).
If you request copies of confidential/protected information under the PIA, Trinity University may request an Attorney General's opinion about whether or not the information needs to be released. In the event Trinity University requests an opinion from the Texas Attorney General, the information will not be available for review until after the Attorney General makes a decision about whether the information is to be made available. The Attorney General's office generally has 45 business days from the date the request for a decision is submitted, to make a decision on whether the information may be released.

Download the PDF version of the policies and procedures.

Trinity University Police Department PIA department is open M-F 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and will be closed on all days the university administrative offices are closed. Any e-mails received after 5 p.m. will be deemed to have been received the following business day.

If you need a special accommodation for your request, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Ms. Jennifer Adamo at 210-999-7486.

Questions regarding this policy should be directed to Cpl. Laura Hernandez at 210-999-7326.

Related Documents

Related Content:

Attorney General's Website

Revision Management

Revision History Log:

Revision #:

Date:

Recorded By:
v1.0 8/9/2019 4:36 PM Jennifer Gilmore Adamo

 

Vice President Approval:

Enter Vice President(s) that are responsible for approving this document

Name:

Title:
Gary Logan Vice President for Finance & Administration