U.S. Department
of Justice
CRS Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
FOIA Contact
Tiffanie Tinsley
FOIA/Privacy Act (PA) Coordinator
Community Relations Service
145 N Street, NE, Suite 5E.300
Washington, DC 20530
crs.foia@usdoj.gov
CRS FOIA Requestor Service Contact
202.307.5116
Conventional Reading Room
Department of Justice
Community Relations Service
145 N Street, NE, Suite 5E.300
Washington, DC 20530
FOIA Library
The FOIA Library includes frequently requested records, opinions, policy statements, and staff manuals/instructions to staff, created by Community Relations Service after November 1, 1996.
The Community Relations Service (CRS) provides many documents to the public without the need for a FOIA request. These documents are part of our proactive disclosures, meaning they are made available online to improve transparency and provide easy access to key information. You can find these documents on the Community Relations Service Resource Page.
FOIA-Processed Documents
These documents have been disclosed, either in full or with redactions, in response to previous FOIA requests. CRS posts frequently requested records—those released three or more times—along with other documents that may be of public interest.
Operational Documents
This category includes annual reports, strategic plans, program brochures and training brochures, etc. These documents are available without the need for a FOIA request and provide insight into the day-to-day operations of the CRS. Accessing these records helps you quickly find important information related to the services we provide.
Visit the Community Relations Service Resource Page to explore these documents.
Component Description
CRS is a component of DOJ. As America’s Peacemaker, CRS provides facilitation, mediation, training and consultation services to communities in conflict — enhancing their ability to independently prevent and resolve future conflicts. Since 1964, CRS has served as a force for conciliation and peace in communities fraught with racial tension and discord. Over the years, the scope of CRS’s work has expanded to address discrimination and hate crimes based on actual or perceived race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion and disability. CRS is the only component within DOJ dedicated to assist State and local units of government, private and public organizations, and community groups with preventing and resolving conflicts based on race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, and religion. As such, CRS does not investigate nor prosecute allegations of crimes. Neither does it enforce laws, nor have jurisdiction to respond to cases that do not involve a community conflict.
DOJ Reference Guide
The DOJ Reference Guide is a comprehensive guide to the FOIA that serves as a handbook for obtaining information from the Department. Furthermore, FOIA.gov provides additional details about the FOIA, including a description of the FOIA's Exemptions and Exclusions.
How to File a FOIA Request
To file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the Community Relations Service (CRS), please follow the steps outlined below:
Submit Your Request
All FOIA requests must be directed to the CRS FOIA Officer, Tiffanie Tinsley, who serves as the FOIA/Privacy Act Coordinator and is part of the CRS legal team. Requests must be submitted in writing—either by mail, email, or through the FOIA.gov website. Please note that oral requests will not be processed as FOIA requests.
Provide a Clear Description
Your request must reasonably describe the records you are seeking to obtain.
Send Your Request
You can send your FOIA request to the following contact information:
- Email: crs.foia@usdoj.gov
- Mail: 145 N Street, NE, Suite 5E.300, Washington, DC 20530
- Online: Submit via FOIA.gov
Processing Requests
- Immediate Forwarding
Upon receipt, all FOIA requests are promptly forwarded to the FOIA Officer for processing. - Review and Sanitization
The FOIA Officer reviews the requested records and sanitizes them by removing any personal, pre-decisional, or exempt information before they are released. - Records Management
Each request is assigned a unique CRS FOIA number and stored in designated folders. Responsive documents are carefully organized and paginated, with separate folders for both redacted and unredacted records. - Processing Time
Requests are typically processed in the order they are received. The time required to respond to a request may vary depending on its complexity and any backlog of requests currently pending at the agency.
Disclosure and Notifications
- Response Time
Agencies are required to respond to written FOIA requests within 20 days. However, response times may vary depending on the complexity of the request. - Disclosure
The FOIA Officer will send copies of the responsive records to relevant employees for review and comment before they are shared with the requester. An explanation will accompany the released records, detailing any information that has been disclosed or withheld. - Notification
To prevent misunderstandings, the FOIA Officer may notify individuals or organizations mentioned in the disclosed records prior to their release.
Processing Protocols
The FOIA Officer is responsible for gathering, reviewing, and sanitizing records in response to FOIA requests. Any portions of the records that are personal, confidential, or exempt under FOIA will be redacted before disclosure.