[Jolly Rancher]

Originally Posted by NoLongerInRadioGuy

A couple things posted recently I would like to respond to...

2. The idea that the public has a right to know what crimes are gong on in the city...I have no problem with that, and I dont think any other officers do either. I do believe the front page of a Kansas Standard Offense Report is open public record. This shows the offense, location, time, vicitm, and other information. Dont get on the back of law enforcement because we dont run to the newspaper and other media to make sure YOU know what happened. Either hold the media in the area to report this to you, or, better yet, if you want to know what is going on - THEN CHECK IT OUT FOR YOURSELF! We have become a society that wants everything GIVEN to them because "we have a right to know!" Sure you do...but why rely on someone else to give it to you? (sorry - had a mini-rant starting there) The back page of the offense report lists the suspect(s) in the crime, and that is NOT public record...this helps to see that the suspect gets a fair and impartial trial by jury, and is not convicted by the media. Just because the person is listed as a suspect does not necessarily mean there is probable cause to arrest. Now, once an arrest is made, it is public record through the Ford county jail - but keep in mind an arrest is based on probable cause, which does not meet the court burden of showing beyond a reasonable doubt.

Please, tell us how to do that. DCPD and FCSO charge for reports. And, if we don't know what is happening, how do we know to go look for it?

I am not bantering you, I have just ALWAYS been told to look it up myself. Help me know how to do just that.