By JAMES BROWN
Glasgow News 1
The Kentucky Attorney General’s Office has ruled that the Glasgow Police Department violated the state’s Open Records Act when it refused to provide a copy of requested body camera footage and instead offered only in-person viewing.
In a written decision issued May 14, Assistant Attorney General Zachary M. Zimmerer found that the department improperly denied an open records request from Samantha Jones for body-worn camera footage related to a Nov. 15, 2025 law enforcement incident.
The ruling was released publicly Wednesday and received by Glasgow News 1 on Thursday.
According to the opinion, Jones submitted her open records request on Jan. 7, seeking a copy of the body camera video.
The Glasgow Police Department responded that it would not provide a copy of the recording but would allow Jones to view the footage in person.
The department cited provisions of Kentucky’s Open Records Act that it argued did not require agencies to provide copies when in-person inspection was available.
The Attorney General’s Office rejected that interpretation, saying Kentucky law gives requesters the right to choose whether to inspect records in person or receive copies, as long as no specific statute limits that choice.
“That choice belongs to the requester,” the ruling said, adding that agencies cannot dictate the method of inspection unless a statute clearly gives them that authority.
The opinion also noted that Glasgow police cited statutes that govern body-worn camera footage, but the attorney general found the department did not show that any exception allowing only on-site viewing applied in this case.
Zimmerer further concluded that prior attorney general decisions cited by the department did not support its position and did not involve disputes over a requester’s right to obtain copies of records.
As a result, the Attorney General’s Office found that Glasgow police violated the Open Records Act by stating it would only permit in-person inspection of the requested footage instead of providing a copy.
Public Information Officer Maj. Terry Flatt said Friday that the police department “has a right to appeal, but the chief [Guy Howie] has not made a decision on that yet.”
He said the department acknowledges and respects the attorney general’s decision regarding the appeal.
“As the volume and scope of requests continue to evolve, including requests generated through AI tools, requests associated with large online publishing platforms, and limitations on verifying Kentucky residency under the Open Records Act, the process has become increasingly nuanced for agencies across the Commonwealth,” an email from the department stated. “Our department relies heavily on guidance from the Office of the Attorney General, Kentucky statutes, and prior open records decisions when evaluating requests. We appreciate the continued guidance and clarification provided by the Attorney General’s Office and will apply the direction outlined in this decision to future requests.”
The statement also said the department relies on guidance from the Attorney General’s Office, Kentucky statutes and prior open records rulings when evaluating how to respond to requests.
The Incident in Question
In November of 2025, the police department arrested 34-year-old Cody Vibbert, and a video of the arrest at Adams Place off Park Avenue was recorded by a bystander and posted to social media. Five days after the arrest, Chief Howie held a public review of officer body cam footage. Members of the media were invited to see the video at that event.
Howie used the video viewing to explain the use-of-force review policy for the police department.
“Anytime that we use any type of force — whether it’s actual hands-on force or the threat of force — there is a review of that use of force and a critical incident review is conducted,” Howie said in November. “That critical incident review takes place…in this case [by] a sergeant, a patrol lieutenant, the patrol division commander, the major and then myself.”
Key Facts
– Kentucky Attorney General’s Office says Glasgow Police violated the Open Records Act
– Ruling involves a request for body camera footage from a Nov. 15, 2025 incident
– Requester was offered only in-person viewing instead of a copy of the video
– Opinion says requesters may choose inspection or copies unless law limits that right
– Glasgow Police say they respect the ruling and will follow the attorney general’s guidance
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