soapbox

This case presents the question about whether the Marion County Sheriff s Office properly denied the Complainant’s recorcls request.

1. The Access to Public Records Act (“APRA”)

It is the public policy of the State of Indiana that all persons are entitled to ftdl an complete information regarding the affairs of government an the official acts of those who rep- resent them as public officials and employees. Ind. Code § 5- 11-5-i. Further, APRA states that “(p)roviding persons with information is an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the roiitine duties of public officials and employees, whose duty it is to provide the information.” Id. There is no clispiite that the Mario County Sheriff s Office (“MCSO”) is a piiblic agency for the purposes of the APRA; and thiis, subject to the Act’s disclo- sure requirements. Ind. Code § 5-14-3-2(q)(6).

Therefore, unless otherwise provided by statute, any person may inspect an copy the MCSO’s public records eluting i egrdar business hours. See Ind. Code § 5-14-0-3(a).