Police misconduct records are notoriously difficult to pry from law enforcement agencies. We’re trying a different approach and requesting the files from district attorney offices, not police agencies.

In criminal court cases in the United States, all “material” evidence that undermines the credibility of a police officer who testifies must be shared during the case. Sharing relevant disciplinary files keeps corrupt cops from affecting the integrity of a case, but these files also serve as public records that expose police misconduct when police themselves won’t hand over disciplinary files.

Using this approach, a team of reporters working with MuckRock and New York Focus has obtained over 27,000 pages of police disciplinary files in New York state. Our goal is to expand this work to police departments across the country with your help.