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Council affirms partial denial of FOIA request for redacted police report
Summary
Council affirmed a partial denial of a FOIA request for portions of a police incident report, finding that redactions were legally permissible under FOIA privacy exemptions, the Michigan Crime Victims Rights Act and the Michigan Child Protection Law, and directed the clerk to issue formal written notice of the decision.
The Farmington Hills City Council voted to affirm a partial denial of a Freedom of Information Act request for a police incident report dated June 1, 2026, and directed the city clerk to provide formal written notice of the decision.
City counsel explained that the FOIA coordinator had granted the request in part but redacted material the department deemed exempt under FOIA privacy provisions and state statutes protecting victims and child‑protection information. The council’s motion to affirm the redactions listed as reasons that the withheld material included "highly sensitive medical information, specific abuse allegations, and the identities of accused parties," and that releasing it would be an unwarranted invasion of privacy for a minor child and uncharged individuals.
The motion also cited the Michigan Crime Victims Rights Act and the Michigan Child Protection Law as supporting the redactions. Council members voted to affirm the partial denial and directed staff to provide the requester with the formal notice required under Michigan law.
