Eugene Police Quotes $2.48 Million and 44,816 Hours for One Officer's 2018-2026 Records

Double Sided Media sought records on Eugene Police officer Justin Peckels focused on complaints from 2018 through 2026, including a documented facial strike during a traffic stop. The department replied that it must search every city employee record, past and present, claiming no ability to limit custodians. A parallel request for former officer Eric Klinko received a $195,869.52 estimate, bringing the combined total near $2.7 million.

Oregon public records law permits reasonable fees but requires agencies to conduct searches in the locations most likely to hold responsive material. The city's blanket approach across all departments contradicts standard practice documented in state administrative rules and prior appellate decisions. Meanwhile, the same department executed a $342,000 contract for Flock license plate readers, demonstrating capacity for targeted data systems when acquisition rather than disclosure is the goal.

The fee structure functions as a barrier that disproportionately affects small outlets without litigation budgets. Similar cost inflation has appeared in other jurisdictions facing scrutiny over individual officer files, often resolved only after appeals or lawsuits. Double Sided Media now faces the choice of narrowing scope further, appealing internally, or seeking judicial review under ORS 192.311 to test whether the estimate meets statutory reasonableness standards.

Operational transparency requires searchable databases and defined custodian lists. Without those, agencies retain the ability to price out oversight regardless of statutory mandates.