Topeka P.D.

Kansas treats body-worn camera (BWC) footage as a criminal investigation record. The general rule under KORA is openness, but BWCs are governed by 45-254 (which defines body cameras and provides a 20-day window for certain allowed view/listen requests) and by 45-217/45-221 (defining criminal investigation records and the factors that govern closure or disclosure). A limited set of people—the recording’s subject, a parent/guardian of a minor subject, an heir of a decedent, or a described attorney—may request to listen or view within 20 days of the request. The general public’s access to such recordings is restricted and subject to the KORA exemptions and potential court orders. Agencies may also adopt their own policies (SOPs) for release of BW footage, consistent with state law; recent Kansas agency updates (e.g., Overland Park SOP 2160 and Topeka policy references) illustrate local practice, but there is no single statewide release rule. Researchers should evaluate whether the requested footage constitutes a public record, whether any exemptions apply, and the precise procedural posture of the custodian using the statutes and agency policies.