October 21 , 2015 Mr. Robert J. Davis Counsel for the County of Collin Matthews, Shiels, Pearce, Knott, Eden & Davis, L.L.P. 8131 LBJ Freeway, Suite 700 Dallas, Texas 75251 OR2015-22157 Dear Mr. Davis: You ask whether certain information is subject to required public disclosure under the Public Information Act (the "Act"), chapter 552 of the Government Code. Your request was assigned ID# 584140 (File No. 1600/66703). The Collin County Sheriff's Office (the "sheriffs office"), which you represent, received five requests from different requestors for video recordings pertaining to the intake and booking of a named individual on a specified date. You claim the submitted information is excepted from disclosure under sections 552.108 and 552.119 of the Government Code. We have considered the exceptions you claim and reviewed the submitted information. Section 552.108(b )( 1) of the Government Code excepts from disclosure the internal records and notations of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors when their release would interfere with law enforcement and crime prevention. Gov't Code§ 552.108(b)(l); see also Open Records Decision No. 531 at 2 (1989) (quoting Ex parte Pruitt, 551 S.W.2d 706 (Tex. 1977) ). A governmental body claiming section 552.108(b )( 1) must reasonably explain how and why the release of the requested information would interfere with law enforcement. See Gov't Code§§ 552.108(b)(l), .301(e)(l)(A); see also Ex parte Pruitt, 551S.W.2d706. Section 552.108(b )( 1) is intended to protect "information which, if released, would permit private citizens to anticipate weaknesses in a police department, avoid detection, jeopardize officer safety, and generally undermine police efforts to effectuate the laws of this State." See City of Fort Worth v. Comyn, 86 S.W.3d 320 at 327 (Tex. App.-Austin 2002, no pet.). This office has concluded section 552.108(b )( 1) excepts from public disclosure information relating to the security or operation of a law enforcement agency. See, e.g., Open Records Decision Nos. 531 (release of detailed use of force guidelines would unduly interfere with POST OFF I CE B ox 1 2548 , AUSTIN , TEXAS 787 11 -2548 TE L :(5 1 2) 463 - 2 1 00 WEB : WWW . TEXASATTORNEYGENERAL . GOV An !:"qua/ l:"mployment Opportunity /:"mp/nyer Mr. Robert J. Davis - Page 2 law enforcement), 252 ( 1980) (section 552.108 of the Government Code is designed to protect investigative techniques and procedures used in law enforcement), 143 (1976) (disclosure of specific operations or specialized equipment directly related to investigation or detection of crime may be excepted). Section 552.108(b )(1) is not applicable, however, to generally known policies and procedures. See, e.g. , Open Records Decision Nos. 531 at 2-3 (Penal Code provisions, common law rules, and constitutional limitations on use of force not protected), 252 at 3 (governmental body failed to indicate why investigative procedures and techniques requested were any different from those commonly known). You state the submitted video recordings show the methods, techniques, and procedures regardingthe use of security cameras in the Collin County Detention Facility (the "facility"). You also state the video recordings show secured areas of the facility. You further state the video recordings reveal "blind spots" and where, when, and why security cameras move in the facility. You assert releasing this information to the public could allow private citizens to develop ways to circumvent the security cameras, and would jeopardize the safety and security of the jail, thereby interfering with law enforcement and crime prevention. Based on your representations and our review, we find the release of the submitted information would interfere with law enforcement. Accordingly, the sheriffs office may withhold the submitted information under section 552.108(b)(l) of the Government Code. 1 This letter ruling is limited to the particular information at issue in this request and limited to the facts as presented to us; therefore, this ruling must not be relied upon as a previous determination regarding any other information or any other circumstances. This ruling triggers important deadlines regarding the rights and responsibilities of the governmental body and of the requestor. For more information concerning those rights and responsibilities, please visit our website at http://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/open/ orl ruling info.sh tml, or call the Office of the Attorney General's Open Government Hotline, toll free, at (877) 673-6839. Questions concerning the allowable charges for providing public information under the Act may be directed to the Office of the Attorney General, toll free, at (888) 672-6787. Sincerely, /._/ v~ Fe::;~~r~~and Assistant Attorney General Open Records Division KJM/sdk 1 As our ruling is dispositive, we need not address your remaining arguments against disclosure of the submitted information. Mr. Robert J. Davis - Page 3 Ref: ID# 5 84140 Enc. Submitted documents c: 5 Requestors (w/o enclosures)