Alberta’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act(FOIP Act) provides for a right of access to records held by public bodies such as the Edmonton Police Service (EPS). The EPS FOIP Information and Privacy Unit processes all requests made to the EPS pursuant to the FOIP Act.
There are two types of requests for records that can be made pursuant to the FOIP Act: Personal Requests and General Requests. There may be fees involved in processing such requests depending on the type and volume of records being requested (see Fees sectionbelow).
Personal Requests
A Personal Request is a request for records that contain your personal information. Personal information is defined in the FOIP Act as “recorded information about an identifiable individual.” Some examples of personal information are your name, date of birth, telephone number, an identifying number or symbol, or fingerprints. Either you or someone who you have authorized (in writing) to access your personal information (e.g. your lawyer) can make a written request for records containing your personal information.
Requests for personal information can be, for example, for all records relating to the investigation of specific event or case file such as an assault, robbery, or fraud complaint in which you are named, your EPS recruit application file, recordings of calls you made to 911 or to the EPS non-emergency complaint line, or your arrest records. If you are not aware of what records the EPS may have that relate to you, you may make an application for a listing of all EPS case files in which you are named.
Pursuant to the privacy provisions of the FOIP Act, the EPS cannot release someone else’s personal information to you. For example, the EPS will not release the arrest report of someone else or any other information about your family, friends or neighbours without their written consent.
General Requests
A General Request for information relates to records that do not contain your personal information. Requests for general information are usually topical in nature and relate to organizational operations that do not contain personal information. Examples of general requests are requests for budget records, training materials, or statistical information. When making a general request there is an initial $25 application fee. The EPS FOIP Information and Privacy Unit will not begin processing a general request until the initial application fee has been received.
EPS Policies
You may request copies of current or historical EPS policies. Requests for historical policy are considered general requests and the initial $25 application fee applies.
Exceptions to Disclosure
While the FOIP Act provides a process to access records, it also protects the privacy of individuals and contains a number of exceptions to disclosure. Some of the instances in which the EPS may not release records are if the records relate to:
- An ongoing prosecution. These records are not within the scope of the FOIP Act and the EPS will not provide any records that relate to any criminal matter that is before the Courts at the time of the request.
- Someone else’s personal information (which is often referred to as “third party” personal information). The EPS will not release information about your relatives, friends or your neighbours or anyone else without their written consent. The EPS may neither confirm nor deny the existence of information that relates to someone else if the request is specifically for information about another person or persons.
- Information that could harm an ongoing or unsolved investigation, including investigations by our Professional Standards Branch.
- Information that could be used to harm members of the EPS or the public.
- Information obtained from other agencies. For example, if you are requesting information from Emergency Medical Services you must make your request to the Government of Alberta. Similarly, if you are seeking information from the RCMP, your request must be made directly to RCMP.
- Requests for information, not records. The FOIP Act allows for access to records, not information. The EPS is not obliged to compile information if it does not exist as a record. There is no right of access to verbal communications.
Requests for Correction to Personal Information
An individual who believes there is an error or omission in a record containing their personal information held by the EPS may request that the EPS correct the information. You may make a Request for correction by sending a letter to the EPS FOIP Information and Privacy Unit. There is no fee to make a request for correction to your personal information.
Fees
Fees may be charged in accordance with Schedule 2 of the FOIP Regulation. All fees must be paid before receiving the response from the FOIP Information and Privacy Unit.
Personal Requests: There is no application fee for making a personal request; however, fees for photocopying may be charged at a rate of $.25 per page if the amount of the estimated fees exceeds $10 (40 pages). Other fees relating to the reproduction of records may apply.
For audio communications (e.g. a call you made to 911 or the EPS non-emergency complaint line), there is a fee of $52.50. The audio recordings will be provided on a computer-readable compact disc.
General Requests: In addition to the initial application fee of $25, other fees may be charged in accordance with Schedule 2 of the FOIP Act if the estimated fees exceed $150. In this case, a fee estimate will be provided and an initial deposit of 50% may be required.
- All fees may be paid via cheque or money order made out to the "City of Edmonton."
Application Process
A FOIP Request and payment option is now available online when applicants follow the https://foip.edmontonpolice.ca/ link.
All requests for access to information pursuant to the FOIP Act must be made in writing and directed to the EPS FOIP Information and Privacy Unit. If you want to make such a request, please provide the following information:
- Full name (first and last).
- Date of birth.
- Mailing address and/or email.
- Phone number.
- Enough detail to enable the EPS FOIP Information and Privacy Unit to identify the records you are seeking.
Requests can be submitted to the following address:
EPS FOIP Information and Privacy Unit
9620 – 103A Avenue
Edmonton AB T5H 0H7
Phone: 780-421-3346
Fax: 780-421-3349
Also by email to FOIPP2@edmontonpolice.ca
Personal requests can be accommodated online upon sign up at https://foip.edmontonpolice.ca .
Our ability to identify the records you are requesting is dependent upon the information you are able to provide to us about various occurrences. Please be sure that your request provides as much detail as possible and that all dates and times are accurate in order to ensure that the EPS FOIP Information and Privacy Unit is able to locate the requested records and provide you with a complete response in a timely manner.
When the EPS FOIP Information and Privacy Unit receives a request, we will open a file and you will receive an acknowledgment letter confirming receipt of your request, the name of the Disclosure Analyst assigned to process your request, and advising you of our policy regarding the release of your completed FOIP request. After the acknowledgment letter is sent, in most cases there will be no further contact from the EPS FOIP Information and Privacy Unit until after the request has been processed. Please note the FOIP Act allows us 30 days to respond to a FOIP request.