After police shot and killed her son, mother uses open records laws to find answers, spark change

From “A mother’s quest for openness provides map for spurring change,” published March 1, 2022 in The Journal: A Civic Issues Magazine.

“When Sheila Albers, of Kansas, couldn’t get answers to the questions she had after her 17-year-old son was shot and killed by an Overland Park police officer while the teen was in the midst of a mental health crisis, she didn’t give up. 

“Instead, she kept pushing, using open records laws to unearth information that shed new light on aspects of the case, mobilized residents and helped change the ways that the city responds to incidents involving people facing mental health challenges. Her story shows how everyday people, not just journalists, can leverage public records to shape communities for the better.” 

“I want inspire people to do open records and hold government accountable.  I am not an attorney or a journalist. NFOIC and the Brechner Center have inspired and educated me.”

— Sheila Albers told the NFOIC.