Police and Data Privacy

What are your communities policies for Police. When they come in requesting information on a resident or want to check if somewhere lives there. How do you go about verifying the information, do you allow it?

As a board member for our local apartment police coalition I would usually be forthcoming with information; especially for my local LEO's. You do have to be careful especially with those posing as Federal agents. I had an instance where two guys came into my office, flipped a badge open and closed quickly proclaiming themselves feds. When I asked to inspect the badges more closely they were actual bounty hunters. I completely understand protecting a residents information, but I have an obligation to the rest of my residents to not knowingly have a criminal on my site. Not to mention I know a manager who refused to cooperate with LE;O they came back with a search warrant and she ended up with only a desk to sit at, no computers, files, anything they could legally take they did. I know they did it just to retaliate.....

Hello Luke,

Stephani is right on target and my two cents to this is when they come in, I ask can I have the number of the department that they are working for phone number and then I call there to see if it is legit. This way I am not telling them no, just verifying that they are who they say they are and everything is on the up and up.

Normally asking for that number and giving their badge numbers will tell you if they are or not. It also helps to know a person or two you can call at the local police station that can verify if everything is on the straight or not.

No one can fault you for asking and persuing verification. When my clients are asked by LEO's on Video Content, we support their efforts to verify. Because we are connected with the local LEO's.

If your property is a participant in a Crime Free Multihousing Program or have begun a Neighborhood Watch Program, then you will be working with local police agencies and there will be a casual exchange of information on a regular basis. When I worked a project based Section 8 property, the first night I worked late (it was 11:00 PM and I was running vouchers for 11 properties) I received a phone call. It was from the police officer who usually patroled in the area. I was completely new to that job, the neighborhood and the property. He told me to call him when I was ready to leave, so I did. He came to the door and walked me to my car. I noticed that there were patrol cars blocking the entrances and exits to my property - and it shocked me. The officer told me to NEVER be there at that hour alone again and if I found myself there alone to call and ask for an escort. That was the start of a beautiful relationship with the entire police department. However, when it comes to providing private information about a Resident, just to play Devil's Advocate, there is a line. How far do you go? Don't all residents have a right to some privacy?

I think one should really check your Company's policy on this topic, especially if you don't have a Crime Free program or Neighborhood Watch affiliation. You do not want to be held liable or your Owner/Management Company held liable for giving out information. I see no one has even said this, but I would not just give out information without at least checking your company's parameters.

You absolutely should check an Officer's credentials. This includes those who claim to be IRS agents, etc.

Mindy I agree completely. As to the IRS I wouldn't care if they were legit or not, I'm not talking!

Here in this DC suburb, we get lots of federal investigators who are doing background checks on our residents who are applying for jobs which require clearance. Most of them come with a copy of a form that was signed by the resident to release any information needed, but our policy is to confirm information that they already have (they pretend that they don't, but they usually do) rather than give them new information. I don't know what the policy might be for police doing investigations, but it would be a good idea to check with your company's legal counsel to see what you should or shouldn't share. I'd hate to be on the hook for sharing information that was privileged in some way.

The company I work for used to have a policy stating that we protect our residents right to privacy- so we didn't give any info to law enforcement without a warrant.

The company policy has recently changed and we are now required to cooperate with law enforcement.

My personal opinion is that I want to live in a safe community, so I'd prefer to cooperate with law enforcement to help keep it that way. I have formed working relationships with the officers that work in our neighborhood through attending the local citizens academy and landlord forums, so I know them. I know they would never ask me to do anything illegal.