MPIA Records Request
Important Information
Maryland Rule 4-265 and 4-266 requesting an officer’s testimony before a hearing or trial requires in-person service of a subpoena at least five days before a trial or hearing for a criminal case. Md. Rule 2-510 requires the same for civil cases. Subpoenas will not be accepted through the department’s GovQA system.
Welcome to the Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) home page.
MCPD maintains certain records that are classified as public records which may be made available to the public in accordance with State law through the Maryland Public Information Act, Annotated Code of Maryland, General Provisions Article (“GP”), §4-201 et seq.
Maryland’s Public Information Act states that agencies should grant the public a broad right of access to public records, with some exceptions. Within the parameters of State law, it is MCPD’s policy to conduct its work in an open manner and provide the public with a maximum amount of accurate and timely information. If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact MCPD at Records.MCPD@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Note: Montgomery County Executive Order 119-20 suspends certain deadlines under the MPIA until the Governor terminates the State of Emergency.
Data Access Options
There are many options available to you for accessing public safety data online.
Did you know that you can search for your information at no cost and at your convenience?
Data Montgomery
MCPD in an effort to promote data transparency, provides DataMontgomery , a website of information available to the public that includes public safety data on: crime statics, traffic stops, calls for service, crash reporting, and many other topics.
Quick Links
MCG Police Website
The department also posts several of its yearly reports such as:
- Bias Incidents
- Community Policing
- Internal Affairs
- Use of Force, etc
on its website and can be found in the public safety data page .
Data Request Using GovQA
If you cannot locate your data on-line, it is recommended that you submit a request through the department’s GovQA website. This is the preferred method and will ensure that your request is processed in a timely fashion.
Find out about Exempted Data before making a MPIA request.
MPIA Records Request: Submit Records Request
If you have general questions about the MPIA process or would like to check on the status of a request, please contact:
Mary Davison
Custodian of Records
Montgomery County Police, Records Section
100 Edison Park Drive, First Floor
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878
(240) 773-5221
Mary.Davison@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov
Exempted Data
What is a public record?
A public record is defined as the original or copy of any documentary material in any form created or received by an agency in connection with the transaction of public business. Included in this definition are written materials, books, photographs, photocopies, firms, microfilms, records, tapes, computerized records, maps, drawings and other materials.
Are all government records available?
No. The PIA attempts to balance the public’s right to access government records with other policies that respect the privacy or confidentiality of certain information.
For example, some public records are confidential under federal or state statutes, under court rules, or under various common law privileges such as attorney-client privilege and executive privilege. SG §10-615. The PIA itself also protects certain records from disclosure (for example, firearm records, criminal history, personnel records, and certain personal information in Motor Vehicle Administration records). In addition, some information contained in public records must remain confidential (for example, an individual’s medical information, confidential commercial information and trade secrets). SG §10-616, 10-617. In some cases, these protections may be waived.
Other records may be withheld if the agency decides that disclosure of those records would be “contrary to the public interest.” Examples of records subject to discretionary disclosure include investigatory records, information related to academic, licensing, and employment examinations, and documents of a pre-decisional and deliberative nature. SG §10-618.
Is there a charge for obtaining records under the PIA?
Yes, the PIA allows an agency to charge a “reasonable fee” for copies of public records. An agency may also charge a reasonable fee for searching for a public record – a charge that may include the time required for locating and reviewing the record. The first two hours of search time are free, but an extensive search may prove time-consuming and therefore expensive. Thus, it is in both your interest and the agency’s interest to ensure that a PIA request clearly and accurately describes the records sought. Agencies may choose to waive fees in particular cases. You will be notified about any potential fee prior to the PIA request being fulfilled.
