Resources
Free Police Accountability Toolkit
Free tools, templates, and guides for police encounters, bodycam requests, evidence preservation, public records requests, and accountability research.
Free Download: Police Encounter Checklist
A quick reference guide for police encounters, filming, ID requests, searches, and protecting your rights without escalating the situation.
Free Download: Bodycam Footage Request Template
A simple public records request template viewers can use to request bodycam footage, incident reports, dispatch logs, 911 audio, dispatch notes, and related police records.
Free Download: Evidence Preservation Guide
A practical guide for preserving bodycam footage, screenshots, public records, emails, links, photos, videos, and other evidence connected to police accountability stories.
Free Download: Public Records Request Template
A flexible public records request template viewers can use to request incident reports, bodycam footage, dispatch logs, 911 audio, emails, policies, complaints, and related government records.
Free Download: Public Records Appeal Template
A practical template viewers can use when a public records request is denied, delayed, ignored, over-redacted, or met with excessive fees.
Thin Blue Lies is building a library of public records tools, civil rights resources, bodycam request templates, and accountability guides for viewers who want to understand the system — and push back when the system crosses the line.
Coming Soon
Know your rights pocket guide
Civil rights lawsuit basics
Section 1983 resources
State-by-state accountability tools
Have a resource you want added?
Send suggestions through the Contact page or submit story/resource leads through the tip form.
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