4-501 - Confidential Department Records, Reports and Info

Policy

1. Numerous official files, documents, records, reports and information held by the MPD or in the custody or control of MPD employees are regarded as non-public or confidential.
2. Employees shall not access, disclose or permit the disclosure or use of such files, documents, reports, records, or information except as required in the performance of their official duties and consistent with State and Federal law related to data practices, such as the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act at 18 U.S.C. § 2721, et seq., the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, and Chapter 171 of the Minnesota Statutes, for example Minnesota Statutes section 171.07 subd. 1a which strictly limits the use of driver’s license photographs.

1. If an employee is uncertain of the status of any document, the employee should consult with the supervisor of the Records Information unit.
2. Employees shall only access Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) records for official business-related reasons.

3. The identity of a juvenile suspect or arrestee can only be released with an order from a Hennepin County Juvenile Court Judge.

Definitions

Refer to the Commonly Used Terms page for general definitions.