Calling the Ferguson Police Dept. and requesting information about Antonio French’s release.
After posting this video, I discovered new information that states his arrest and release are public record and according to the Missouri Revised Statutes, Chapter 610 “Governmental Bodies and Records”, Section 610.200, information about whether his arrest involved a crime or infraction is supposed to be available to the public for copying and inspection. So I called a second time. A different operator answered and I asked, “I would like to request information about Antonio French’s arrest and release.” He told me Antonio French is on a 24 hour hold. I asked if his arrest involved a crime or infraction and the operator told me that he couldn’t give that information over the phone. When I asked why, he said it was “policy.” I asked him to read me the policy and he refused to because “it wasn’t in front of him and he’s not going to look for it.” I told him that according to the statutes, that information must be made available to the public. He told me, “Okay, you went to law school. You know how to read. That’s great, but I’m not releasing that information to you. Do you have any more questions?”
“Yes. Will you please read me the policy that states you can’t release information regarding his arrest over the phone?”
“No. Any more questions?”
“Yes. What is your name?” He hung up.
Calling the Ferguson Police Dept. and requesting information about Antonio French’s release.
After posting this video, I discovered new information that states his arrest and release are public record and according to the Missouri Revised Statutes, Chapter 610 “Governmental Bodies and Records”, Section 610.200, information about whether his arrest involved a crime or infraction is supposed to be available to the public for copying and inspection. So I called a second time. A different operator answered and I asked, “I would like to request information about Antonio French’s arrest and release.” He told me Antonio French is on a 24 hour hold. I asked if his arrest involved a crime or infraction and the operator told me that he couldn’t give that information over the phone. When I asked why, he said it was “policy.” I asked him to read me the policy and he refused to because “it wasn’t in front of him and he’s not going to look for it.” I told him that according to the statutes, that information must be made available to the public. He told me, “Okay, you went to law school. You know how to read. That’s great, but I’m not releasing that information to you. Do you have any more questions?”
“Yes. Will you please read me the policy that states you can’t release information regarding his arrest over the phone?”
“No. Any more questions?”
“Yes. What is your name?” He hung up.
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