I Want To
You can make a request to access our reports through Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.56 (ontario.ca). The Act gives you the right to request access to our records. You can look at the Directory of Records before you submit an application to access the information you might want.
The Act also requires that we protect personal information in our records. We will give you what we lawfully can.
Submit a Request for Information |
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You must either fill out and submit the Access Request Application form or write us a letter that includes: If the link to the form doesn't open for you, you will need to download it first to your desktop and then open that document using Adobe Reader.
You will need to include a photocopy of a piece of valid government issued photo identification. You can then submit this request by mail to the following address: Woodstock Police Service Freedom of Information Woodstock, Ontario N4S 1E1 A $5.00 application fee is required. If you are paying by cheque or money order, please make it payable to “Woodstock Police Service” (failure to submit the exact amount will result in your request being returned to you). |
Fees |
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The fees for our services are set out in Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) Regulation 823 Personal Records:Personal records contain your personal information. Type of service Cost:Application fee $5.00 (Failure to provide exactly $5.00 will result in the return of your request.) Photocopying $0.20 per page Video/Audio statements $30 for DVD plus additional fees (MFIPPA Regulation 823 section 6.1) General Records:General records do not contain your personal information (e.g. statistical information, occurrence reports in relation to a business). Type of service Cost:Application fee $5.00 (Failure to provide exactly $5.00 will result in the return of your request.) Photocopying $0.20 per page Search time $7.50 per 15 minutes Preparation time $7.50 per 15 minutes Machine readable records $30.00 for DVD plus additional fees (MFIPPA Regulation 823 section 6.1) (i.e. video or audio statements, video footage) Mailing cost Current Canada Post rate |
You can pay the fees by cash, debit or credit. You can also contact us to narrow your request in an effort to reduce the fees or you can contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario to appeal our fees and interim decision.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How much does it cost? |
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The $5.00 application fee is a legislated fee and must be paid at the time of your request. There are additional fees upon completion. Please see the details under our FEES tab. |
What Identification will you accept? |
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All identification must be current. We accept:
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Will I need to show other documentation? |
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This depends on the type of information you are requesting. You may need to show documents such as:
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Can I drop off my FOI request instead of mailing it? |
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Yes, you can attend Woodstock Police Headquarters, at 615 Dundas street and submit your application at the front counter during Records Department Service Hours (Monday-Friday 8am to 6pm). |
How long will it take? |
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We generally complete requests within 30 days. Requests where we have to contact third parties can take up to 60 days. If a request is for a large number of records or is a complex request it may take longer but never more than 90 days. |
Can my lawyer get the report for me? |
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Yes, your lawyer may act as your personal agent and submit the request for you, however, the same access rules apply whether it is you or your lawyer who is making the request. They must also include a written consent from you. |
How can I get my information corrected? |
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After you have made a request and received your information, you have the right to request: a. correction of personal information; b. a statement of disagreement be attached to the record; c. notification of correction or disagreement be sent to those to whom his/her personal information was disclosed within the previous year. You must complete an Access/Correction request form. Once a decision has been made, you will be notified in writing. |
Is there an Appeal process? |
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Yes, you can appeal any of the following:
If you do not get a response from us within 30 days you can appeal (this is called a deemed refusal). Request for correction of your personal information (if we refuse to make the correction) |
How can I start an Appeal? |
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If you wish to appeal, you may do so by: Writing to: The information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario, 2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 1A8, Telephone: 416-326-3333 or toll free 1-800-387-0073. Please provide the Commissioner's office with the following:
In addition, you must send an appeal fee to the Commissioner's office. The appeal fee for a Personal request for information is $10.00 and is $25.00 for a General request. This fee should be in the form of either a cheque or money order, payable to the Minister of Finance. |
Can I apply for a fee waiver? |
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Yes. If you feel the costs may cause financial hardship you may wish to make an application for a fee waiver by submitting a request in writing to: Chief of Police Woodstock Police Service 615 Dundas Street Woodstock, On N4S1E1 If you apply for a fee waiver you will be asked to submit evidence regarding your financial situation such as proof of: income, assets, expenses and liabilities. More information on requesting a fee waiver. |
FOI Simplified Without Fees:
What is the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act (MFIPPA)
Under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), you can make a request to access police reports or to make a correction to a record if you believe it contains inaccurate information.
Anyone can make a request for information — however there are limitations on your right to access information because of MFIPPA. Under MFIPPA, you may request access to some general records as well as records containing your own personal information.
MFIPPA also governs the protection of privacy of individuals; outlining rules regarding the collection, use, disclosure and disposal of personal information in the custody of an institution. In order to protect all individuals' personal information, we cannot disclose personal information to you about another person.
How to Request Information under MFIPPA
The first step to requesting information under MFIPPA is filling out the Access Request Form. You can then submit it by any of the following processes:
In Person
Visit our Records Services reception desk, 615 Dundas Street, Woodstock.
Requests submitted through Records Services reception desk can be paid by Cash, Debit, MasterCard, VISA, or Cheque made payable to Woodstock Police Service.
Business Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
By Mail
Mail your request to:
Information and Privacy Unit
Woodstock Police Service
615 Dundas Street
Woodstock, On N4S1E1
There is a $5.00 Application Fee for requests for information. There is no fee for a correction request. Cheques must be made payable to Woodstock Police Service. Additional fees are detailed in the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).
If seeking access to personal information, proof of your identification (ID) is required.
You must produce two pieces of valid government issued ID, one that includes a photo. Expired identification will not be accepted. Health cards without photos and Social Insurance Number (SIN) cards will not be accepted.
Examples of photo identification (ID) include:
- Driver's licence;
- Passport;
- Firearms licence; or
- Ontario Photo Card.
Under the Act, we have 30 days to respond to a request.
Youth Record
Police records relating to 'Young Persons' are governed by the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Access and disclosure of records showing a young person has been dealt with under the Act is prohibited. The Act does allows discretionary exemptions to this prohibition in specific circumstances or where ordered released by a Judge of a Youth Justice Court.
Access to Police Records
The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act governs when you can have access to our records.
You must make a Freedom of Information request if you are:
- An individual or business and require a copy of a police report
- A law firm or insurance company and require police statements or notes.
Law firms and insurance companies must submit a formal request through a different process for the following reports:
- Forensic Photographs;
- Collision Reconstruction Reports;
- MTO Reports;
- Witness statements from a motor vehicle collision report;
- Property loss summary from a theft or damage report.
Law Firms and Insurance Companies
You must submit a request for our records in writing. Your letter must include:
- Date and location of the incident;
- Name of the person involved;
- Details of your request;
- Authorization form signed by client (you can use our authorization form or your own);
- Authorization forms must be signed and dated within the last 6 months.
- Do you want third parties contacted? And if yes, please advise if you would like that request to be made on behalf of your firm/company only or on behalf of your firm/company and client.
Please include these details if you have them:
- Accident number or report number;
- Officers name and badge number.
Options for law firms and insurance companies:
Forensic Photographs |
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Mail your written request to: Woodstock Police Service Information and Privacy Unit 615 Dundas Street Woodstock, On N4S 1E1 Fees and payment
Processing time You will be contacted by phone within 10 business days once we receive your request. This time may be longer depending on our workload. |
Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Reports |
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Mail your written request to: Woodstock Police Service Information and Privacy Unit 615 Dundas Street Woodstock, On N4S 1E1 Fees, Payment, and Processing Time The fee is $50.00. |
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