Kansas
Kansas Police Reports: Crash Reports, Records Requests, and Bodycam Footage
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited August 11, 2026). · Law checked current as of August 11, 2026. · 4 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
Kansas has one of the more detailed body camera access statutes in the country, K.S.A. 45-254, which treats recordings as closed criminal investigation records by default but guarantees a defined list of eligible requesters a right to listen or view the footage within a hard 20-day window. Crash reports run through a separate Kansas Highway Patrol channel, and incident reports go through the general Kansas Open Records Act.
This guide covers the KHP crash report portal, the local incident report process, and the 45-254 bodycam window.
Information last verified on 2026-08-11. This article has not yet been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.
How to Get a Copy of a Kansas Crash Report
Kansas Highway Patrol crash reports are available online through the kansas.gov accident-reports portal, which requires a Kansas.gov account, or by requesting in person or by mail from KHP Records at General Headquarters. The portal itself states only that "there is a fee involved for downloaded documents," without listing a dollar figure. Secondary sources describe the fee as $5.00 per report plus $2.00 per witness statement, tied to K.S.A. 45-219(c)'s fee authority, but this guide could not independently confirm that figure on a primary KHP page. Confirm the current fee directly with KHP before requesting.
A Kansas crash report is obtainable in the first place because the traffic code says so directly. K.S.A. 8-1611(b) provides that "such written reports required to be forwarded by law enforcement officers and the information contained therein shall not be privileged or held confidential." That is the provision that lifts an officer's crash report out of the criminal investigation records closure in K.S.A. 45-221(a)(10) discussed below, and it is why the crash report path and the incident report path behave so differently.
Kansas's Anti-Solicitation Certification
Every online requester on the kansas.gov portal has to certify they will not "use any list of names or addresses... for the purpose of selling or offering for sale any property or service... or sell, give or otherwise make available to any person any list of names or addresses" gathered for a commercial purpose. That certification language comes from K.S.A. 45-220(c)(2), the provision that authorizes an agency to demand the written certification in the first place.
The underlying prohibition is a separate statute. K.S.A. 45-230 bars knowingly selling, giving or receiving lists of names and addresses from public records for the purpose of selling or offering property or services, subject to seven listed exceptions, and makes a knowing violation punishable by a civil penalty of up to $500 for each violation in an action brought by the attorney general or a county or district attorney. K.S.A. 45-230(c) points back to the K.S.A. 45-220(c)(2) certification as the mechanism. Together the two sections function as Kansas's version of the anti-solicitation safeguards several other states, including Florida, build directly into their crash report statutes.
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How to Get a Kansas Police Incident Report
Non-crash incident reports are requested under the Kansas Open Records Act, K.S.A. 45-215 and following, from the responding agency's own records unit. Wichita Police Department's process is illustrative: requests go through the department's Open Records Request portal or by phone, and the department's process reportedly covers incident reports, accidents, and Axon bodycam footage all through the same general open-records channel, rather than routing bodycam requests separately the way K.S.A. 45-254 technically allows.
KORA puts a clock on that request. Under K.S.A. 45-218(d), each request for access to a public record "shall be acted upon as soon as possible, but not later than the end of the third business day following the date that the request is received." If access is not granted immediately, the custodian has to give a detailed explanation of the cause for the further delay and the place and earliest time and date the record will be available for inspection. If the request is denied, the custodian must provide, upon request, a written statement of the grounds for denial citing the specific provision of law, furnished within three business days of that request.
Kansas's general criminal investigation records exemption, K.S.A. 45-221(a)(10), lets an agency withhold "criminal investigation records, except as provided herein." The same subsection gives a denied requester a free step before any courthouse: where a public record is discretionarily closed under it, "the record custodian, upon request, shall provide a written citation to the specific provisions of subparagraphs (A) through (F) that necessitate closure of that public record." Ask for that citation first. A requester who is still denied can then ask a district court to order disclosure under the separate override procedure in K.S.A. 45-222.
Body Camera Footage in Kansas
Kansas runs one of the more granular bodycam statutes found anywhere in the country, K.S.A. 45-254. The default rule closes the door: "every audio or video recording made and retained by law enforcement using a body camera or a vehicle camera shall be considered a criminal investigation record." But the statute then guarantees a defined group of requesters a hard right to review it. The agency "shall allow the person to listen to the requested audio recording or to view the requested video recording within 20 days after making the request," and may charge a reasonable fee for doing so. That right to listen or view does not automatically include a right to obtain a copy.
The eligible requesters are: the subject of the recording; a parent or legal guardian of a subject under 18; an heir at law when a deceased person is a subject, meaning the executor or administrator of the estate, or if none, the surviving spouse, or if none, an adult child, or if none, a parent; and an attorney representing any of the above. For the state's fuller legal picture, see Kansas's body camera laws.
Corrections and Practical Notes
No dedicated correction process for a Kansas crash report was located for this guide. If a report needs a correction, contact the investigating agency or KHP Records directly.
Related Resources
Police Reports by State covers the full 50-state picture. See also how to file a police report, how to read a police report, are police reports public, how to request body camera footage, Kansas bodycam laws, Kansas car accident laws, Kansas public records laws, and Kansas court records.
Disclaimer
This article provides general information about Kansas's police report and public records process. It is not legal advice. Fees, portals, and eligibility rules change; verify current details with the agencies named above or a licensed Kansas attorney before relying on anything here for a specific situation.
Last updated: 2026-08-11. Fees and portals reflect their published status as of August 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Kansas Highway Patrol crash report?
Through the kansas.gov accident-reports portal, which requires a Kansas.gov account, or by requesting in person or by mail from KHP Records at General Headquarters.
How much does a Kansas crash report cost?
The portal itself does not list a fee, stating only that a fee applies for downloaded documents. Confirm the current amount directly with Kansas Highway Patrol.
Why are Kansas crash reports public?
K.S.A. 8-1611(b) provides that the written reports law enforcement officers are required to forward, and the information contained in them, are not privileged or held confidential. That is what separates a crash report from an incident report an agency may close as a criminal investigation record.
How do I request a Kansas police report that is not a crash report?
Under the Kansas Open Records Act, K.S.A. 45-215 and following, from the responding agency's own records unit.
How long does a Kansas agency have to answer an open records request?
K.S.A. 45-218(d) requires the request to be acted on no later than the end of the third business day after it is received. If access is not granted immediately, the custodian must give a detailed explanation of the delay and say when the record will be available, and on a denial must supply a written statement of the grounds citing the specific provision of law.
What can I do if a Kansas agency denies my report request as a criminal investigation record?
K.S.A. 45-221(a)(10) entitles you to ask the record custodian for a written citation to the specific subparagraphs that necessitate closure. If the denial stands, a district court can order disclosure under K.S.A. 45-222.
Who can view Kansas body camera footage?
K.S.A. 45-254 lists the subject of the recording, a parent or legal guardian of a subject under 18, an heir at law when a deceased person is a subject, and an attorney for any of them.
How fast does Kansas have to let someone view body camera footage?
K.S.A. 45-254 requires the agency to allow an eligible requester to listen to or view the recording within 20 days after the request, though it may charge a reasonable fee.
Updates
Corrected the anti-solicitation certification citation to K.S.A. 45-220(c)(2) with K.S.A. 45-230 as the separate prohibition and penalty, and added the statute that makes Kansas crash reports public, the three-business-day KORA response deadline, and a denied requester’s right to a written citation of the grounds for closure.
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources; governing law re-checked for recent changes
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Kansas Statutes Annotated, Chapter 45: PUBLIC RECORDS, DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION
§ 45-221Certain records not required to be disclosed; separation of open and closed information required; disclosure of statistical information; records over 70 years old open, exceptions.In forcecited in 9 of our articles
(a) Except to the extent disclosure is otherwise required by law, a public agency shall not be required to disclose: (1) Records the disclosure of which is specifically prohibited or restricted by federal law, state statute or rule of the Kansas supreme court or rule of the senate committee on confirmation oversight relating to information submitted to the committee pursuant to K.S.A. 75-4315d, and amendments thereto, or the disclosure of which is prohibited or restricted pursuant to specific authorization of federal law, state statute or rule of the Kansas supreme court or rule of the senate committee on confirmation oversight relating to information submitted to the committee pursuant to K.S.A. 75-4315d, and amendments thereto, to restrict or prohibit disclosure. (2) Records that are privileged under the rules of evidence, unless the holder of the privilege consents to the disclosure. (3) Medical, psychiatric, psychological or alcoholism or drug dependency treatment records that pertain to identifiable patients.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-02 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ksrevisor.gov
Cited in 46 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2025
In the courts (editorial summary, independently checked):Kansas courts construe the K.S.A. 45-221 exceptions narrowly, and the exceptions permit withholding rather than require it. In Telegram Publishing Co. v. Kansas Department of Transportation (2003) the agency carried the burden and lost an (a)(1) claim. Harris Enterprises, Inc. v. Moore (1987) affirmed a denial under (a)(10).
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State, Department of Social & Rehabilitation Services v. Public Employee Relations Board of the Kansas Department of Human Resources (Supreme Court of Kansas 1991, 249 Kan. 163)✓A state hospital gave a certified union its employees' names but withheld home addresses; the Kansas Supreme Court held K.S.A. 45-221 does not prohibit disclosure but leaves it discretionary with the records custodian, so the agency could not refuse the disclosure order.
- Wichita Eagle & Beacon Publishing Co. v. Simmons (Supreme Court of Kansas 2002, 274 Kan. 194)✓A newspaper sought corrections records on parolees charged with murder; the Kansas Supreme Court held the K.S.A. 45-221(a)(20) exemption covers proposed policies, not actions already taken, and that subsection (d) required the agency to furnish redacted records.
- Harris Enterprises, Inc. v. Moore (Supreme Court of Kansas 1987, 241 Kan. 59)✓A newspaper sued for the Duffield murder investigation files; applying K.S.A. 45-221(a)(10), the Kansas Supreme Court put the public-interest burden on the requester and the other four findings on the agency, and affirmed the discretionary denial after in camera review.
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Kansas Police Body Camera Laws: Access & K.S.A. 45-254, Kansas Public Records Laws: The Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) Explained, Kansas Laws on Recording Police
§ 45-222Civil remedies to enforce act; attorney fees.In forcecited in 3 of our articles
(a) The district court of any county in which public records are located shall have jurisdiction to enforce the purposes of this act with respect to such records, by injunction, mandamus, declaratory judgment or other appropriate order, in an action brought by any person, the attorney general or a county or district attorney. The district court may require a defendant to complete training approved by the attorney general concerning the requirements of the open records act. (b) In any action hereunder, the court shall determine the matter de novo. The court on its own motion, or on motion of either party, may view the records in controversy in camera before reaching a decision. (c) In any action hereunder, or under K.S.A. 45-251, and amendments thereto, the burden of proof shall be on the public agency to sustain its action.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ksrevisor.gov
Cited in 19 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2025
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Wichita Eagle & Beacon Publishing Co. v. Simmons (Supreme Court of Kansas 2002, 274 Kan. 194)“…an in-camera inspection of five sample records pursuant to K.S.A. 45-222(b). After reviewing a sample of…”
- Telegram Publishing Co. v. Kansas Department of Transportation (Supreme Court of Kansas 2003, 275 Kan. 779)“…e district court in holding that a “denial of access” under K.S.A. 45-222(c) refers only to the agency’s prelitig…”
- Data Tree, LLC v. Meek (Supreme Court of Kansas 2005, 279 Kan. 445)“…Data Tree contends it was entitled to attorney fees under K.S.A. 45-222(c) because the denial of access by the…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 45-254Law enforcement recordings using body camera or vehicle camera; criminal investigation records; disclosure.In forcecited in 9 of our articles
(a) Every audio or video recording made and retained by law enforcement using a body camera or a vehicle camera shall be considered a criminal investigation record as defined in K.S.A. 45-217, and amendments thereto. (b) In addition to any disclosure authorized pursuant to the open records act, K.S.A. 45-215 et seq., and amendments thereto, a person described in subsection (c) may make a request in accordance with procedures adopted under K.S.A. 45-220, and amendments thereto, to listen to an audio recording or to view a video recording made by a body camera or a vehicle camera. The law enforcement agency shall allow the person to listen to the requested audio recording or to view the requested video recording within 20 days after making the request, and may charge a reasonable fee for such services provided by the law enforcement agency.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ksrevisor.gov
Cited in 1 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2022
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- McRoberts v. Overland Park, Kansas, City of (District Court, D. Kansas 2022)“…aintiff he would respond further by March 4, 2022.12 Under Kan. Stat. Ann. § 45-254(b), however, the custodian has twenty d…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Kansas Recording Laws (2026): One-Party Consent Rules, Idaho Public Records Laws: Title 74 and the Resident vs Non-Resident Clock, Georgia Public Records Laws: The Georgia Open Records Act Explained
§ 45-219Copies of public records; fees and costs for inspection or copies; remittance of fees and costs by agency.In forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) Any person may make abstracts or obtain copies of any public record to which such person has access under this act. If copies are requested, the public agency may require a written request and advance payment of the prescribed fee. A public agency shall not be required to provide copies of radio or recording tapes or discs, video tapes or films, pictures, slides, graphics, illustrations or similar audio or visual items or devices, unless such items or devices were shown or played to a public meeting of the governing body thereof, except that the public agency shall not be required to provide such items or devices that are copyrighted by a person other than the public agency. (b) Copies of public records shall be made while the records are in the possession, custody and control of the custodian or a person designated by the custodian and shall be made under the supervision of such custodian or person. Whenever practicable, copies shall be made in the place where the records are kept. If it is not practicable to do so, the custodian shall allow arrangements to be made for use of other facilities.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ksrevisor.gov
Cited in 12 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2024
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Data Tree, LLC v. Meek (Supreme Court of Kansas 2005, 279 Kan. 445)“…No attorneys fees are to be awarded. “6. Pursuant to K.S.A. 45-219, all costs of producing records includi…”
- Roe v. Phillips County Hospital (Supreme Court of Kansas 2023)“…1 4. The plain language of K.S.A. 45-219(a) requires a public agency, upon reque…”
- Attorney General Opinion No. (Kansas Attorney General Reports 2010)“…izes the rights belonging to a copyright owner by virtue of K.S.A. 45-219 (a) which provides that an agency " sha…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 45-230Unlawful use of names derived from public records.In force
(a) No person shall knowingly sell, give or receive, for the purpose of selling or offering for sale any property or service to persons listed therein, any list of names and addresses contained in or derived from public records except: (1) Lists of names and addresses from public records of the division of vehicles obtained under K.S.A. 74-2012, and amendments thereto; (2) lists of names and addresses of persons licensed, registered or issued certificates or permits to practice a profession or vocation may be sold or given to, and received by, an organization of persons who practice that profession or vocation for membership, informational or other purposes related to the practice of the profession or vocation; (3) lists of names and addresses of persons applying for examination for licenses, registrations, certificates or permits to practice a profession or vocation shall be sold or given to, and received by, organizations providing professional or vocational educational materials or courses to such persons for the sole purpose of providing such persons with information relating to the availability of such materials or courses; (4) lists of names, addresses and other…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ksrevisor.gov
Cited in 1 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2009
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Farmers Cooperative Co. v. United States (United States Court of Federal Claims 2009, 90 Fed. Cl. 72)“…rds except ... to the extent otherwise authorized by law.” Kan. Stat. Ann. § 45-230 (a)(6). It should be noted that plainti…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 45-215Title of act.In forcecited in 6 of our articles
K.S.A. 45-215 through 45-223 shall be known and may be cited as the open records act.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ksrevisor.gov
Cited in 69 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2024
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Myers (Supreme Court of Kansas 1996, 260 Kan. 669)“…e subject to the provisions of the Kansas Open Records Act, K.S.A. 45-215 et seq. Myers asserts,…”
- Wichita Eagle & Beacon Publishing Co. v. Simmons (Supreme Court of Kansas 2002, 274 Kan. 194)“…996 through 1999, under the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), K.S.A. 45-215 et seq. The district court…”
- Harris Enterprises, Inc. v. Moore (Supreme Court of Kansas 1987, 241 Kan. 59)“…e exempt from disclosure under the Kansas Open Records Act, K.S.A. 45-215 et seq. This case aros…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Public Records Laws by State: FOIA Guide for All 50 States (2026), Kansas Court Records: How to Search the District Court Public Access Portal
Kansas Statutes Annotated, Chapter 8: AUTOMOBILES AND OTHER VEHICLES
§ 8-1611Reports by law enforcement officers investigating accidents.In force
(a) Every law enforcement officer who: (1) Investigates a vehicle accident of which a report must be made as required in this article; or (2) otherwise prepares a written report as a result of an investigation either at the time of and at the scene of the accident or thereafter by interviewing the participants or witnesses, when such accident under paragraphs (1) or (2) results in injury or death to any person or total damage to all property to an apparent extent of $1,000 or more, shall forward a written report of such accident to the department of transportation within 10 days after investigation of the accident. (b) Such written reports required to be forwarded by law enforcement officers and the information contained therein shall not be privileged or held confidential. (c) The provisions of this section shall be deemed to be satisfied by the electronic submission of reports prepared by computer and containing the information required to be included in written reports. The format of such electronic reports and the frequency of submission must be acceptable to the secretary of transportation.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at ksrevisor.gov
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Sources and References
- K.S.A. 45-254, Law enforcement recordings using body camera or vehicle camera, criminal investigation records, disclosure(ksrevisor.gov).gov
- K.S.A. 45-221, Certain records not required to be disclosed(ksrevisor.gov).gov
- K.S.A. 8-1611, Reports by law enforcement officers investigating accidents(ksrevisor.gov).gov
- Kansas.gov, Kansas Highway Patrol Accident Reports(kansas.gov).gov
- K.S.A. 45-220(c)(2), Procedure for requesting access to public records; written certification against commercial use of name and address lists(ksrevisor.gov)
- K.S.A. 45-230, Prohibition on the sale of names and addresses obtained from public records; exceptions; civil penalty(ksrevisor.gov)
- K.S.A. 45-218, Requests for access to public records; response required by the end of the third business day(ksrevisor.gov)