26FC:0108 Claire Logsdon v. Waukee Police Department - Informal Resolution Report 

Iowa Public Information Board

On April 10, 2026, Claire Logsdon (“Complainant”) filed formal complaint 26FC:0108, alleging that the Waukee Police Department (“Respondent”) violated Iowa Code Chapter 22.

The IPIB accepted this complaint at its meeting on May 21, 2026.

Facts

Complainant alleged that Respondent declined to fulfill a public records request in compliance with Chapter 22 and withheld non-confidential records without segregating confidential and non-confidential information. 

Law

“Every person shall have the right to examine and copy a public record and to publish or otherwise disseminate a public record or the information contained in a public record. Unless otherwise provided for by law, the right to examine a public record shall include the right to examine a public record without charge while the public record is in the physical possession of the custodian of the public record. The right to copy a public record shall include the right to make photographs or photographic copies while the public record is in the possession of the custodian of the public record. All rights under this section are in addition to the right to obtain a certified copy of a public record under section 622.46.” Iowa Code § 22.2(1). 

“All reasonable expenses of the examination and copying shall be paid by the person desiring to examine or copy. The lawful custodian may charge a reasonable fee for the services of the lawful custodian or the custodian’s authorized designee in supervising the examination and copying of the records. If copy equipment is available at the office of the lawful custodian of any public records, the lawful custodian shall provide any person a reasonable number of copies of any public record in the custody of the office upon the payment of a fee. The fee for the copying service as determined by the lawful custodian shall not exceed the actual cost of providing the service. Actual costs shall include only those reasonable expenses directly attributable to supervising the examination of and making and providing copies of public records. Actual costs shall not include charges for ordinary expenses or costs such as employment benefits, depreciation, maintenance, electricity, or insurance associated with the administration of the office of the lawful custodian.  Costs for legal services should only be utilized for the redaction or review of legally protected confidential information. However, a county recorder shall not charge a fee for the examination and copying of public records necessary to complete and file claims for benefits with the Iowa department of veterans affairs or the United States department of veterans affairs.” Iowa Code § 22.3(2).

“The following public records shall be kept confidential, unless otherwise ordered by a court, by the lawful custodian of the records, or by another person duly authorized to release such information… Peace officers’ investigative reports, privileged records or information specified in section 80G.2, and specific portions of electronic mail and telephone billing records of law enforcement agencies if that information is part of an ongoing investigation, except where disclosure is authorized elsewhere in this Code. However, the date, time, specific location, and immediate facts and circumstances surrounding a crime or incident shall not be kept confidential under this section, except in those unusual circumstances where disclosure would plainly and seriously jeopardize an investigation or pose a clear and present danger to the safety of an individual. Specific portions of electronic mail and telephone billing records may only be kept confidential under this subsection if the length of time prescribed for commencement of prosecution or the finding of an indictment or information under the statute of limitations applicable to the crime that is under investigation has not expired.” Iowa Code § 22.7(5)

Analysis

The parties both expressed a desire to remedy the complaint through an informal agreement. 

Pursuant to Iowa Code §23.9, the parties negotiated and reached an informal resolution.

The parties agreed to the following terms:

1. The Respondent acknowledges the police department’s public record policy should be updated to ensure compliance with Chapter 22. 
2. The Respondent agrees to create a public records request policy and fee schedule for the police department. 
3. The updated policy will be provided to IPIB for feedback.
4. The Respondent will provide evidence to IPIB once the new policy has been adopted by the police department. 
5. The individual responsible for handling records requests at the police department will attend an approved Chapter 22 training session (if they haven't already done so) and provide a copy of the certificate to IPIB. (If IPIB conducts the training, IPIB staff will already have a copy of the certificate.)
6. The parties agree that the requested records at issue in 26FC:0108 will be re-reviewed in light of the updated policy and produced to the requestor with only the redactions permitted under Iowa Code. If there is a dispute as to the confidentiality of a specific item, IPIB staff may provide guidance or the parties may request guidance from the Iowa Public Information Board through a Status Update. 

Complainant approved the informal resolution terms on July 29, 2026.

Respondent approved the terms of the informal resolution on July 23, 2026.

The IPIB staff recommend the IPIB approve the Informal Resolution Report.

By the IPIB Deputy Director

_________________________________

Charissa Flege

CERTIFICATE OF MAILING

This document was sent on August 13, 2026, to:

Claire Logsdon, Complainant

Waukee Police Department, Respondent