Los Angeles Police Department v. Superior Court

Government Code, sections 6250 through 6261, comprise the California Public Records Act (Act). Section 6250 recites in part: “ ... the Legislature, mindful of the right of individuals to privacy, finds and declares that access to information concerning the conduct of the people’s business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in this state.” (Italics added.) Act is a group of integrated sections which generally define public records and the rights of any person to inspect, copy and receive copies of such records. (§§ 6250, 6252, 6253, 6253.5, 6254.7, 6254.8.)

Section 6254, however, lists 14 separate types of records which are by legislative fiat exempt from disclosure. Section 6254, as is relevant here, recites: “ . . . nothing in this chapter [Act] shall be construed to require disclosure of records that are:...

“(f) Records of complaints to or investigations conducted by, or records of intelligence information or security procedures of, . . . any . . . local police agency,. ..” (referred to herein as Exemption (f)).

Real party in interest. Church of Scientology (Church) instituted this action against petitioner, Los Angeles Police Department…