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Is a police report regarding a suicide call considered public record?

Business 2 views 2 answers
Father of son who committed suicide wants police report. Police initially said they could not provide it to the family including son's wife as there was confidential medical information listed. After a follow-up call, the police provided the report but certain information including some of the wife's non-medical account of events to officers is blacked out on the report. Some words of the blacked out information is transparent and it is not medical information. Father and wife want unaltered report.

Attorney Answers

2
John Edmondson ·
Assuming you'd like to avoid the potential cost of hiring an attorney, I would first suggest that you/father contact the attorney for the municipality and tell them you believe the police are in violation of WI Open records law, and if the problem is not corrected, an attorney will be hired/lawsuit commenced. As that attorny will have to likely defend such a claim, they will probably take a very close look at what police provided and either correct it or tell you precisely why you are only getting what you are getting. I would very much doubt that the police obtained HIPPA protected info and have a legitimate basis to withhold on that claim.
0 upvotes
Nick Passe ·
Wisconsin's open/public records law would govern this issue. If the police are not willing to give you what you want, I suggest consulting with a local attorney about the possibility of suing the police department to get copies of those records. Disclosure of confidential health information is protected by separate statutes. Good luck.
0 upvotes

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