Former Otterbein360 editor Anna Schiffbauer has won a case in the Ohio Supreme Court over the release of university police records against Otterbein.
In a 4-3 decision, the Court decided to order the release of police records withheld from the public by the Otterbein Police Department (OPD) since the department was commissioned in 2011.
The majority opinion of the court held that the OPD serves the governmental function of enforcing criminal laws and therefore it fits the definition of a public office, and is subject to produce records.
A dissenting opinion of the court stated that OPD does not count as a public office since it is not an established part of state government.
Schiffbauer's case, filed in early 2014, was aided by financial assistance provided by the Society for Professional Journalists and the Ohio Coalition for Open Government.
The case was filed in response to a refusal by OPD, which employs officers who are allowed to carry weapons and make arrests of students and non-students, to release detailed records of incidents in which they are involved.
In a statement to the Columbus Dispatch, Jenny Hill, Otterbein's director of Marketing and Communications, said, "We believe the split decision clearly establishes a new precedent related to private university police departments throughout Ohio,"
As a result of the decision, Otterbein will now release police records to the public.
