Request Police Records & Municipal FOI - Burnaby

Public Safety British Columbia 3 Minutes Read · published May 24, 2026 Flag of British Columbia · By Daniel Roy

This guide explains how to request police records for matters arising in Burnaby, British Columbia. Police records may be held by the City of Burnaby or by the policing agency that serves the city; the right access route depends on who holds the record. Read below for the step-by-step process, typical timelines, who enforces access rules, how to pay fees or ask for review, and where to submit your request in Burnaby.

How to request police records

Start by identifying which body holds the record: municipal records created or held by City staff are requested under British Columbia's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy framework; records held by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are requested under the RCMP Access to Information process. Contact the City of Burnaby for municipal-held reports or the RCMP for detachment-held files as applicable [1][2].

  • Identify the record type (incident report, CAD log, body-worn camera evidence, photos).
  • Confirm holder: City of Burnaby records vs RCMP detachment records.
  • Complete the applicable request form or written request; include file numbers, dates, and your proof of identity.
  • Pay any prescribed fees or provide for payment on receipt if fees apply.
  • Submit by the method listed on the holder's official page (email, mail, or online portal).
Determine the correct record holder before you submit to avoid delays.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement and complaint review differ by jurisdiction. For records held by the City of Burnaby, review and enforcement of access rights are administered under provincial rules and the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia (OIPC). For records held by the RCMP, federal access rules and RCMP review mechanisms apply [3].

  • Fines and monetary penalties: not specified on the cited City or RCMP pages for routine FOI responses; refer to the controlling statute for offence provisions or see the enforcing office for specific sanctions.
  • Escalation: initial refusal or redaction can be reviewed by the OIPC for provincial matters or the RCMP/ATIP review process for federal matters; specific escalation timelines and outcomes are set by the applicable statute and policy.
  • Non-monetary remedies: orders to disclose, directives to correct records, or instructions to cease inappropriate uses of personal information are typical remedies available through oversight bodies.
  • Enforcers and complaint pathways: City of Burnaby contact and provincial OIPC for municipal-held records; RCMP Access to Information contacts for RCMP-held records. See official contacts in Help and Support / Resources below.
  • Appeals and reviews: request a review with OIPC for provincial matters or follow the RCMP’s internal review and federal appeal routes; specific time limits for requesting review are not specified on the cited pages.
If access is refused, request the reasons in writing and note the review deadline immediately.

Applications & Forms

The City of Burnaby publishes an FOI request process and form for municipal records; the RCMP provides Access to Information request instructions and forms for RCMP-held records. Where a named form is required, it is available on the holder's official web page; if no specific form is published, a signed written request with the required details is usually accepted [1][2].

FAQ

Who can request police records in Burnaby?
Any person can request records; access to another person's personal information is restricted unless consent or legal authority is provided.
How long will a request take?
Typical statutory timelines are used by the holding body; if a specific timeframe is not listed on the cited page, it is noted as not specified on the cited page.
Are there fees?
Fees may apply for search, copying, or administration; specific fee amounts and fee schedules are published on the holder's official pages or noted as not specified on the cited page.

How-To

Follow these practical steps to file a clear, processable request for police records in Burnaby.

  1. Identify whether the record is held by the City of Burnaby or the RCMP detachment.
  2. Gather required identifiers: incident number, date, location, and names where known.
  3. Complete the holder’s FOI/Access form or prepare a signed written request with contact and identity details.
  4. Submit the request by the method listed on the official page and pay any required fees.
  5. If refused or redacted, seek review through OIPC (provincial) or the RCMP review process (federal).
Include as much identifying information as possible to speed processing.

Key Takeaways

  • Determine whether the City or the RCMP holds the record before applying.
  • Expect statutory timelines and possible fees; check the holder's official page for details.
  • If access is refused, use the formal review channels listed by the oversight body.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Burnaby - Access to Information Requests
  2. [2] Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC
  3. [3] RCMP - Access to Information and Privacy

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Daniel Roy

Daniel Roy

Municipal Bylaw Analyst

Daniel analyses municipal bylaws across Canadian provinces and territories. He checks every guide against official municipal and provincial sources.