What kind of information can I get with a Public Records Request?

M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 6 is the law that governs public records. The law identifies several areas of information that is not public. Information that does not fall into one of these categories is likely public, and the police department will release it.
What kind of information will not be released?
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 4, Section 6, Clause 26 – Exemptions from the Public Records Act.
Data exempted from disclosure by statutes:
  • Abatement applications, C.59 S. 60
  • Absentee ballots, C. 54 S. 108
  • Air Pollution Control, C. 111 S. 142B
  • Alcohol treatment records, C. 111B S. 11
  • Bank examination records, C. 167 S. 2
  • Blind persons records, C. 6 S. 149
  • Business school license applications, C. 75D S. 3
  • Capital facility construction project records, C. 30 S. 39R
  • Conflict of interest requests for opinion, C 268A S. 22
  • Consumer protection investigation, C. 93A S. 6(6)
  • Criminal Offender Record Information, C. 6 S. 167
  • Sealed delinquency probation records, C. 276 S. 100B
  • DSS Central Registry, C. 119 S. 51F
  • DYS Records, C. 120 S. 21
  • DPH Inventory of services, C. 111 S. 25A
  • Drug addiction treatment records, C. 111E S. 18​
  • Employment agencies data, C. 140 S. 46R
  • Employment Security data, C. 151A S. 46
  • Exemption of Legislature, C. 66 S. 18
  • Evaluation of Special Needs children, C. 71B S. 3
  • Executive sessions, C. 30A S. 11A; C. 34 S. 9F; C. 39 S. 23B
  • Fetal death reports, C. 111 S. 202
  • Firearms Bureau records, C. 66 S. 10D
  • Genetically linked diseases testing records, C. 76 S. 15B
  • Financial assistance to handicapped or aged, C. 66 S. 17A
  • Handicapped Persons Rehabilitation Commission, C. 6 S.84
  • Hazardous substances reports, C. 111F S. 21
  • Hazardous waste disposal site records, C. 21D S. 6
  • Hazardous waste facilities, C. 21C S. 12
  • Historical/archeological sites/specimen inventory, C. 9 S. 26A
  • Home addresses/phone numbers of Public Safety personnel, victims of adjudicated crimes and family planning service providers, C. 66 S. 10
  • Hospital records, C. 111 S. 70
  • Reports of hospital staff privilege revocation, C. 111 S. 53B
  • Impounded birth records, C. 46 S. 2A
  • Industrial Finance Agency commercial or financial data, C 23A S. 31
  • Inspector General investigations, C. 12A S. 13
  • Insurance records, C. 164 S. 85
  • Juvenile records, C. 119 S. 60
  • Malignant disease reports, C. 111 S. 111B
  • MCAD Investigations, C. 151B S. 5
  • MTDC Corporate records, C. 40G S. 10
  • Mental health facilities records, C. 123 S. 36
  • Motor vehicle insurance merit ratings, C. 6 S. 183
  • National Heritage Programs data, C. 66 S. 17D
  • Patient abuse information, C. 111 S. 72I
  • Patient’s rights records, C. 111 S. 70E
  • Personal data, C. 66A S. 1
  • Aged Persons Protective Services records, C. 19A S. 23
  • Public Assistance records, C. 66 S. 17A
  • Public Assistance wage reporting, C. 62E, S. 8
  • Public officers/employees financial interest disclosures, C. 268B S. 3
  • Rape reports, C. 41 S. 97D
  • Reyes Syndrome reports, C. 111 S. 110B
  • Street lists, court order granting protection, C. 51 S. 4
  • Student records, C. 71 S. 34D
  • Venereal disease records, C. 111 S. 119
  • Vocational rehabilitation records, C. 6 S. 84
  • Persons requesting Sex Offender Registration information, C. 6 S. 178I​





Information related solely to internal personnel rules and practices of the government unit, provided however, that such records shall be withheld only to the extent that proper performance of necessary governmental functions requires such withholding Notebooks and other materials prepared by an employee which are personal to him and not maintained as part of the files of the governmental unit.

Identities of victims, witnesses, reporting parties or informants Inter-agency or intra-agency memoranda or letters relating to policy positions being developed by the agency; but this sub clause shall not apply to reasonably completed factual studies or reports on which the development of such policy positions has been or may be based.

Investigatory materials necessarily compiled out of the public view by law enforcement or other investigatory officials the disclosure of which materials would probably so prejudice the possibility of effective law enforcement that such disclosure would not be in the public interest.

Personnel and medical files or information; also any other materials or data relating to a specifically named individual, the disclosure of which may constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

Investigative materials, including reports where court action is not yet completed. This includes motor vehicle citations where criminal charges are pending.

The names and addresses of any persons contained in, or referred to in, any applications for any licenses to carry or possess firearms issued pursuant to chapter one hundred and forty or any firearms identification cards issued pursuant to said chapter one hundred and forty and the names and addresses on sales or transfers of any firearms, rifles, shotguns, or machine guns or ammunition therefore, as defined in said chapter one hundred and forty and the names and addresses on said licenses or cards.

Questions and answers, scoring keys and sheets, and other materials used to develop, administer or score a test, examination or assessment instrument; provided, however, that such materials are used to administer another examination.
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Trade secrets.

Contract proposals and bids.
Appraisals of real property.



How do I request a record?
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Records may be requested in person or via mail. The Berkley Police Department can accept a request for records 24 hrs a day as well as copies of the official public log. 

Requests can be made to the Records Access Officer using the request form below;

Sergeant Arthur Newhook 
Berkley Police Department
3 North Main St
Berkley, MA 02779

 
Report Request Form

What If I am denied information I believe I am entitled to?

The first step is to contact the Chief of Police at 508-822-7040 The second step, if you still believe you have been denied public information, is to contact the Secretary of the Public Records for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at 617-727-2832.
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NOTE: The information you provide will assist us in searching for the record you request. Your request itself is a public record and can be released pursuant to the Massachusetts' Public Records Act.