Louisville Metro P.D.

Kentucky treats body-worn camera footage as a public record under the Open Records Act, but with express statutory exemptions. BWCs are primarily governed by KRS 61.168, which defers to the Open Records Act for disclosure and lists specific categories the agency may withhold (a–n) for privacy, safety, or security reasons. The Open Records Act (KRS 61.870–61.884) generally allows access to public records by any resident (including media) and permits required on-site viewing for some sensitive content. The residency concept includes news organizations under KRS 61.870(10)(g) and KRS 61.872, which defines “resident of the Commonwealth” to include news gathering organizations, among others. Access procedures require a written request (the AG has promulgated a standardized form under KRS 61.876(4)); agencies must respond within five business days (KRS 61.880(1)). If access is denied, the Attorney General must issue a decision within 20 days (KRS 61.880(2)), and an aggrieved party may pursue circuit court review under KRS 61.882 (de novo; costs/fees may be awarded). Recent guidance from the Kentucky Attorney General is interpreting how BWCs should be handled in light of Shively Police Department v. Courier Journal (2024) and subsequent amendments, including 26-ORD-055 (Feb. 20, 2026) which addresses risks and justifications for withholding related to ongoing investigations. See also 61.878(1)(q) for on-premises viewing rights in cases involving a death, and 61.168(4) enumerated exemptions for sensitive content. Because practices can vary by agency and case, reporters should verify with the agency’s public records custodian and be prepared to invoke the AG’s standardized form and the OCR timeline. For the latest developments, refer to AG ORD 25-ORD-019 and 26-ORD-055 and to the KY Open Records Act statutes. ([transparency.ky.gov](https://transparency.ky.gov/accountability/Pages/openrecords.aspx))