Texas Public Information Act Request Leads to Dash Camera Release While Body Camera Remains Under Review
The Brazoria County Criminal District Attorney’s Office released the dash camera recording in response to my Texas Public Information Act request. The responding deputy’s body camera recording remains under review by the Texas Attorney General.
Page one of the Brazoria County Criminal District Attorney’s Office response confirming my public information request, payment, and the release of the dash camera recording while the requested body camera recording remains under review by the Texas Attorney General.
By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
Transparency matters. That is why I filed a Texas Public Information Act request after an encounter with a woman connected to the Rebecca Beard investigation.
The request resulted in sheriff’s reports, dispatch records, redacted documents, and dash camera video. However, one important record remains unavailable. The Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office has asked the Texas Attorney General to decide whether the responding deputy’s body camera can be withheld.
This article explains what happened, what the released records show, and why I continue to seek the body camera recording.
Why I Went to the Property
As an investigative reporter, I believe everyone deserves an opportunity to comment before publication.
I went to Cherie “Rio” Starr’s residence to request an interview about statements she has made regarding the Rebecca Beard investigation.
She declined to comment.
According to the incident report, Starr told deputies she was a protected witness and wanted to know how I obtained her personal information.
The report also states she believed someone had sent me to her property.
I Returned to My Jeep
After Starr declined to comment, I walked back to my Jeep because I intended to leave.
According to the sheriff’s report, I told deputies that Starr and Kenneth Cadenhead prevented me from leaving the property.
The dashcam video released by Brazoria County contains no audio. Therefore, it cannot capture the conversations that occurred during the encounter.
However, the video does show Starr standing near my driver’s side while Cadenhead remained behind my Jeep during part of the incident.
According to my recollection, both were asking me to identify my confidential source.
I declined.
Why I Would Not Reveal My Source
The incident report notes that I refused to identify my source.
That decision was intentional.
Protecting confidential sources is a long-standing practice in investigative journalism. Sources often provide information only because they trust reporters to keep their identities confidential.
My purpose that day was to request an interview. It was not to disclose who provided information for my reporting.
A Detail Not Included in the Report
One part of the encounter is not reflected in the written incident report.
According to my recollection, while standing near my driver’s side door, Starr told me she would agree to an interview “when this is all over.”
She also indicated that the Rebecca Beard investigation remained an active case that had never been closed.
Because the released dashcam has no audio, viewers cannot hear that conversation.
For that reason, I continue to seek release of the responding deputy’s body camera recording.
What the Public Records Show
My Texas Public Information Act request produced several records, including:
Sheriff’s incident reports
Dispatch and CAD records
Dashcam video
Redacted documents
The only major record that has not been released is the deputy’s body camera.
The District Attorney’s Office has asked the Texas Attorney General to determine whether that recording may be withheld under the Texas Public Information Act.
Receiving a request for an Attorney General ruling does not automatically mean the recording will never be released. The Attorney General will determine whether any exceptions to disclosure apply under Texas law.
How I Obtained the Records
Many people ask how to request police records in Texas.
In my case, I submitted a Texas Public Information Act request to Brazoria County.
After receiving a cost estimate, I paid the required fee at the Brazoria County Treasurer’s Office inside the courthouse.
The courthouse is beautiful, although locating the correct office can be a little confusing for first-time visitors.
After payment was processed, I went to the District Attorney’s Office to pick up the responsive records.
Everyone I dealt with during the process was courteous and helpful.
I also received more records than I expected.
Part Two Is Coming Soon
In Part Two, I will explain the Texas Public Information Act process step by step.
I will also show:
How to submit an open records request
Where to pay the required fees
How to pick up responsive records
Why some records are released immediately while others require a ruling from the Texas Attorney General
Understanding the process can help anyone request public records in Texas.
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Related Investigations
- Why I Tracked Down Witness Cherie “Rio” Starr
- Rebecca Beard Investigation: Early Police Reports Reveal the First Days of the Case
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Equipment I Use
For field reporting and investigative journalism, I rely on equipment that performs well in demanding conditions.
- Shure MV88+ Video Kit for interviews and mobile reporting
- Bose A30 Aviation Headset for helicopter reporting
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