Detailed Answer
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Under Tennessee’s Open Records Act, you may request a copy of any police or incident report and ask the agency to correct factual errors. Start by locating the report number and date to reference in your request. Most departments assign these identifiers when they file the report.
Next, contact the law enforcement agency’s Records Division. You can usually find contact information on the department’s official website or by calling the non-emergency line. When you write:
- Identify yourself and the specific report (report number, date, location).
- List each alleged error verbatim as it appears in the report.
- Explain the correct information and attach any supporting documentation (photos, statements, receipts).
- Request that the agency either amend the report or attach a written addendum reflecting the corrections.
Tennessee law requires public agencies to acknowledge open-records requests within seven business days. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503 (link).
If the agency agrees to amend the report, they will either issue a corrected version or append your written corrections. If they refuse or fail to respond, you can appeal to the Chancery Court for injunctive relief under Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-506 (link). File the appeal within 60 days of the agency’s denial or missed deadline.
In parallel, you may also contact the responding officer’s supervisor or the department’s Internal Affairs division to report concerns about accuracy. Internal Affairs cannot formally amend the report but can investigate and recommend changes to the Records Division.
For more on Tennessee’s open-records process, visit the Comptroller’s Office Open Records page: https://comptroller.tn.gov/openrecords.html.
Helpful Hints
- Keep detailed notes on every communication, including dates, names, and reference numbers.
- Send written requests via certified mail or email with read receipts to create a clear record.
- Attach clear, dated evidence supporting each factual correction.
- Be concise and polite; agencies respond more readily to well-organized requests.
- If you hit a dead end, consider hiring a Tennessee attorney experienced in public-records appeals.