If you’re interested in police reports, you should take a look at two news stories that followed the Pulse nightclub mass shooting in Orlando on June 12.

Orlando police have released the official incident narrative about the Pulse shooting. It’s a useful example of administrative writing that you should look at if you’re trying to learn more about advanced reports. Here’s the link: http://www.cityoforlando.net/cityclerk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2016/06/OPDPulseLIVECAD_June172016-by-narrativeandunitassignment_Redacted.pdf

The second news story focuses on the decision not to release recordings of the 911 calls made during the shootout. Florida laws take an exceptionally broad approach to public records, routinely making most government information – including 911 calls – available to the public. But Orlando police have decided not to release the 911 calls from the Pulse shootings, and there has been an outcry. You can read more about the story here: http://fw.to/YyJkPpR

Some journalists and concerned citizens are saying that holding back public records – despite laws to the contrary – is becoming more common. Similar demands for more transparency are common in many states. For example, the New York Police Department is blocking demands for information about its surveillance of Muslims. The federal government often hears complaints about its decisions to keep certain kinds of information secret.

Government agencies have responded that sometimes there are good reasons for withholding records. One issue is financial: Releasing public records costs money because someone must be paid to track down government records; often time-consuming redactions are needed as well. You can expect to see more news stories about the pros and cons releasing police records.