As of January 1, 2018, Saskatchewan police services, regional police services or boards, as defined in The Police Act, 1990, will be subject to The Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (LA FOIP).
Access to Information Requests
LA FOIP is a provincial Act that applies to various public bodies in Saskatchewan, including municipal police. LA FOIP provides for a right of access to records in the possession or control of the Weyburn Police Service (WPS), subject to limited and specific exceptions.
Submitting an Access to Information Request
All access to information requests must be submitted in writing at WPS Headquarters.
When submitting a request, you must provide:
- Your name,
- Current address,
- A telephone number or email address where you can be reached during the day,
- A $20.00 access fee.
If you are requesting your personal information, you must also supply your date of birth. All personal information requests must be picked up in person.
In order to more quickly and accurately process your request, we ask that you provide as much detail as possible about the records you are requesting. This would include dates, time frames, locations, occurrence number(s), names of involved parties, etc. If your request is unclear you will be contacted by WPS to clarify your request.
Identity Verification
If you request personal information about yourself, we will need to verify your identity to ensure we are giving access to the right person. You will be asked to produce government issued photo identification such as a driver’s license or passport. This must be done when picking up the response to your request. If an individual other than yourself is picking up the response to your request, you must notify WPS in writing beforehand.
Exceptions to Disclosure
While LA FOIP provides a process to access records, it also protects the privacy of individuals and contains a number of exemptions to disclosure. Some instances in which the WPS may not release records are if the records relate to:
- Information that could harm an ongoing or unsolved investigation, including investigations by our Professional Standards Branch.
- Someone else’s personal information. The WPS will not release information about you to your relatives, friends, neighbors or anyone else without written consent. The WPS reserves the right to 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 be used to harm members of the WPS or the public.
- Third party information.
- Requests for information, not records. LA FOIP allows for access to records, not information. The WPS is not obliged to compile information if it does not exist as a record.
Time to Process an Access to Information Request
LA FOIP provides public bodies up to 30 days to respond to an Access to Information Request. The WPS may extend that time an additional 30 days if the request is particularly complex or involves a large number of records.
Requests for Correction to Personal Information
An individual who believes there is an error or omission in a record containing their personal information in the possession or control of the WPS may request that the WPS correct the information. You may make a request for correction by sending a copy of the Correction of Personal Information Form or a letter to WPS.
Types of Requests Not Processed under Access to Information
- Request for a police information check (security clearance/criminal records).
- Media requests: Members of the media have the right to request information through the Access to Information process, however these inquiries can often be best facilitated through the WPS Chief or Deputy Chief.
- Insurance claims: Insurance organizations may request information relating to a claim to the Access and Privacy Unit outside of the Access to Information process. A $20.00 fee still applies and can be made out to the Weyburn Police Service.
Appealing a Decision
If you are dissatisfied with the response to your request, you have the right to request a review from the Saskatchewan Information and Privacy Commissioner. Please visit their website at www.oipc.sk.ca for more information.
