How to send a FOIA request

The Freedom of Information Act was established to provide transparency between government and the public (but not the other way around, of course!) That means information held by police departments and other government agencies is information that you, as an American citizen, have a right to know! There are, of course, circumstances in which a FOIA request would be declined, but in many cases you can send a request to your choice of agency to disclose information that want to know (within reason, of course).


There are quiet a few cases of missing people and unsolved homicides in which officials hold onto vital information that the public could either use to ease their suspicions or to demand justice and push for government officials to do their damn jobs. One case that comes to mind is the case of Hannah Anderson's so called kidnapping and the murders of her mother and little brother. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department is refusing to release a ton of information that could either incriminate the surviving teen, or clear her of any remaining public scrutiny. There is also the case of missing teen Abigail Hernandez -- a case where officials are refusing to release details that the public could possibly use to help find the girl.

Sending a FOIA request to a police department or other government agency is easier than you'd think:

• There are no forms to fill out. No specific forms even exist to make a FOIA request. A FOIA request is simply a request you make, concisely, in writing.
• You can request info in any format. That means you can request digital copies of information, or hard copy photos, or any other format.
• Waiting times vary. The agency you send the request too may take their sweet time to get to you, but you could always send a second, third, fourth (etc.,) request.