LAW ENFORCEMENT RECORDS CUSTODIANS' DECISION-MAKING BEHAVIORS IN RESPONSE TO FLORIDA'S PUBLIC RECORDS LAW

摘要

One of the greatest checks on government inefficiency or corruption may be citizens' access to government information, but access to that information is being thwarted across the country. Records custodians are charged with the important duty of granting and denying access to records. Studies have shown, however, that they are unwilling or unable to grant access to government information. If one had to pinpoint the governmental agency that is most likely to withhold such information, it would be law enforcement. This study―focusing on law enforcement agencies in Florida―was designed to help determine how and why law enforcement records can be difficult to access. The study uses qualitative research methods to examine the decision-making processes of records custodians and to provide solutions to problems caused by their failure to provide access.