Source: https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/opinions/openrecords/50abbott/orl/2002/htm/or200207230.htm
Timestamp: 2018-01-18 12:11:29
Document Index: 759007123

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 143', '§ 143', '§ 143', '§ 143', '§ 143', '§ 143']

Abbott Open Records Letter Ruling OR2002-7230
OR2002-7230
You ask whether certain information is subject to required public disclosure under chapter 552 of the Government Code. Your request was assigned ID# 173815.
The Fort Worth Police Department (the "department") received requests for the "police IAD files" of ten named officers. You state that Civil Service Commission files concerning disciplinary actions against these officers have been released. See Local Gov't Code § 143.089(g) (requiring department to refer requests for police officer personnel files to director of civil service commission). You claim that the submitted information is excepted from disclosure under section 552.101 of the Government Code. We have considered the exception you claim and reviewed the submitted information.(1)
Section 552.101 of the Government Code excepts from disclosure information deemed confidential by statute, such as section 143.089 of the Local Government Code. We understand that the city is a civil service city under chapter 143 of the Local Government Code. Section 143.089 contemplates two different types of personnel files, a police officer's civil service file that the police department is required to maintain, and an internal file that the police department may maintain for its own use. Local Gov't Code § 143.089(a), (g). In cases in which a police department takes disciplinary action against a police officer, it is required by section 143.089(a)(2) to place records relating to the investigation and disciplinary action in the officer's civil service file maintained under section 143.089(a). Chapter 143 prescribes the following types of disciplinary actions: removal, suspension, demotion, and uncompensated duty. See Id. §§ 143.051-.055. Such records are subject to release under chapter 552 of the Government Code. See Id. § 143.089(f); Open Records Decision No. 562 at 6 (1990). However, a document relating to an officer's alleged misconduct may not be placed in his civil service personnel file if there is insufficient evidence to sustain the charge of misconduct. Local Gov't Code § 143.089(b). Information that reasonably relates to an officer's employment relationship with the police department and that is maintained in a police department's internal file pursuant to section 143.089(g) is confidential and must not be released. City of San Antonio v. San Antonio Express-News, 47 S.W.3d 556 (Tex. App.-San Antonio 2000, pet. denied); City of San Antonio v. Texas Attorney General, 851 S.W.2d 946, 949 (Tex. App.-Austin 1993, writ denied).
You state that the documents submitted as Exhibit C represent records maintained in the police department's internal file pursuant to section 143.089(g). See Local Gov't Code §§ 143.051-.055. Based on your representations, we agree that this type of information is confidential pursuant to section 143.089(g) of the Local Government Code and must be withheld under section 552.101 of the Government Code.
Although you request a previous determination for this type of information, we decline to issue such one at this time. Accordingly, this letter ruling is limited to the facts as presented to us; therefore, this ruling must not be relied upon as a previous determination regarding any other records or any other circumstances.
Ref:	ID# 173815
c:	Mr. David Tuckness
13401 Farm Road 920