South Bend Police Department

Summary for researchers: Indiana uses APRA (Public Records Act) to govern access to police body camera footage. Body-worn camera recordings are public records by default, but agencies may withhold or redact material using narrowly drawn exemptions. Records must be released with redactions when required by statute and privacy considerations. Certain disclosures require the record to be in writing; agencies must provide access within a reasonable time, and denials can be appealed administratively to the Public Access Counselor, with judicial relief available if needed. This framework was established by HB1019 (2016) and codified in IC 5-14-3; key definitions and procedures are available in the Indiana Code and PAC opinions. In practice, agencies (including universities) often redact sensitive content before release per IC 5-14-3-5.2(e). See official statutes and PAC opinions and agency policies for specifics.