Phoenix Police to Raise Public-Records Fees Nov. 1, Targeting Commercial Requests for Bodycam Video
Phoenix is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona. The Phoenix Police Department will raise its public-records request fees starting Nov. 1, with the increases aimed mainly at commercial requesters who bulk-order body-camera video for profit. The City Council approved the new fee schedule on Sept. 23, azcentral reported on Oct. 8.
Court Hood, who oversees the department's records unit, said commercial requests have grown by nearly a third over the past five years, with some requesters asking for more than 100 body-camera videos in a single day — footage that is often repackaged into viral clips online. The flood of commercial filings, officials say, has slowed processing for victims' families, ordinary residents and journalists. City Manager Ed Zuercher said the tiered fees are meant to make commercial profiteers bear the cost rather than everyday requesters.
According to the department, the increases primarily affect bulk commercial requests for officer video; residents seeking records about themselves and routine media requests are not the focus of the change. Press-freedom advocates cautioned that fees should not become a barrier to public oversight of policing and urged the city to publish the full schedule and its waiver provisions.
Requests can be filed through the department's public-records portal. Police say they will track how the backlog changes after Nov. 1 and report back to the City Council.
Source: Arizona Republic / azcentral, Oct. 8, 2026
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：凤凰城警察局总部大楼实景。摄影：Tony Webster，CC BY 2.0，来源：Wikimedia Commons
