The Ohio Court of Claims has ruled that the Bucyrus Police Department overcharged a requester for body-worn camera footage. This decision affects public records requests and how law enforcement agencies handle fees for such requests. The court's ruling highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in public records access.
The case, Fankhauser v. Bucyrus Police Dept., was filed under docket number 2026-00110PQ. The requester, Kurt Fankhauser, sought access to records related to a harassment incident. He claimed that the police department charged him excessively for the footage he requested.
Background
Kurt Fankhauser submitted a public records request to the Bucyrus Police Department on January 9, 2026. He requested all records, including body-worn camera footage, related to a municipal court case involving Carolyn Shireman. The police department responded by invoicing Fankhauser $701.21 for the footage, which he paid the following day.
After filing his complaint on February 5, 2026, Fankhauser received some records from the police department, including a redacted police report and the body-worn camera footage on February 6, 2026. The case was then referred to mediation, which did not resolve the dispute. The court scheduled further proceedings, requiring the police department to provide evidence justifying its charges.
The Ruling
In her report and recommendation, Special Master Sarah Pierce recommended that the court deny the police department's motion to dismiss and grant judgment in favor of Fankhauser. The court found that the police department violated the Public Records Act by overcharging for the body-worn camera footage.
The court ruled, "The body-worn camera footage provided to Requester totals approximately 3 hours and 51 minutes of footage. That amounts to approximately $175 per hour of produced footage charged to Requester. This amount far exceeds the statutory ceiling of $75 per hour of produced footage."
The court also recommended that the police department reimburse Fankhauser for his filing fee and cover the costs of the case. The judge noted that while the police department provided the requested records, the charges were not in compliance with the law.
Impact
This ruling has significant implications for public records requests in Ohio. It emphasizes that law enforcement agencies must adhere to the fee limits established by the Public Records Act. The decision reinforces the need for transparency and accountability in how public agencies handle records requests and associated fees.
The ruling may also encourage other requesters to challenge excessive fees for public records. It sets a precedent that could influence how agencies calculate charges for body-worn camera footage and other records in the future.
What's Next
Following this ruling, the Bucyrus Police Department has the option to file an objection to the report and recommendation within seven business days. If the department chooses to contest the ruling, the case may proceed to further legal proceedings.