Police Data Collection Request (2022)

Dear Samuel Sinyangwe:

Thank you for your interest in the public records of the Austin Police Department. Your request has been received and is being processed. Your request was received in this office on 8/8/2023 and given the reference number R111341-080823 for tracking purposes.
Please be advised that the Austin Police Department’s Central Records Division receives over 2500 requests for information a month. These requests are processed in the order received, and we strive to respond to each request promptly, as required by law.
Please know that, as a result of the large volume of requests received, the anticipated timeframe for responding to your request may take 10 business days if it is simply an offense report you're requesting.  If you are requesting body cam, dash cam, or other related records your request could take up to 30 days.
You will be contacted about the availability and/or provided with copies of the records requested. PLEASE NOTE: The Texas Public Information Act does not require a governmental body to create new information, to do legal research, or to answer questions.
You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below and you’ll receive an email when your request has been completed. Again, thank you for using the Austin Public Records Center.
Austin Police Department

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Re: Open Record Request of August 08, 2023, Reference # R111341-080823

Dear Samuel Sinyangwe,

The Austin Police Department (APD) received a Public Information request from you on August 08, 2023, to request copies of records pertaining to the following:
“To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. the total number of use of force incidents in 2022.

2. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by type of force, in 2022 (for example, information that specifies the number of taser incidents in 2022, baton incidents in 2022, etc.)

3. the total number of civilian complaints against law enforcement that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.

4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.

5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.

6. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.

7. the total number of officer-involved shootings in 2022, both fatal and non-fatal.

8. the total number of people who police used force against, broken down by race/ethnicity, in 2022.

When available, I would appreciate being sent individualized data in this request in spreadsheet format. If individualized data are unavailable, please send information that includes aggregate statistics for the item instead.

Note that my requests for civilian complaints are specifically for civilian complaints, please do not include complaints filed by one officer/the department against another officer.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Samuel Sinyangwe

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/

Your request has been referred to the City of Austin for response from the Office of Police Oversight. This request has been closed.

Thank you for contacting the Austin Police Department.

Open Records Unit
Austin Police Department

Dear Samuel Sinyangwe:
Thank you for contacting the City of Austin. Your request was received in this office on 8/11/2023 and given the reference number C192301-081123 for tracking purposes. Your request will be forwarded to the relevant City departments to locate the information you seek.
Records Requested: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. the total number of use of force incidents in 2022.

2. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by type of force, in 2022 (for example, information that specifies the number of taser incidents in 2022, baton incidents in 2022, etc.)

3. the total number of civilian complaints against law enforcement that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.

4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.

5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.

6. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.

7. the total number of officer-involved shootings in 2022, both fatal and non-fatal.

8. the total number of people who police used force against, broken down by race/ethnicity, in 2022.

When available, I would appreciate being sent individualized data in this request in spreadsheet format. If individualized data are unavailable, please send information that includes aggregate statistics for the item instead.

Note that my requests for civilian complaints are specifically for civilian complaints, please do not include complaints filed by one officer/the department against another officer.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Samuel Sinyangwe

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, you will receive communication from the City of Austin within 10 business days informing you of one or more of the following:
• The date the information will be available or a copy of the records sought
• A cost estimate/invoice
• A letter advising there is no responsive information for your request or that some/all the responsive information may or must be withheld by the City of Austin in accordance with the law
• The need for clarification from you.
Please note your request must ask for records that already exist. The Texas Public Information Act does not require a governmental body to create new information, perform legal research, or answer questions.
You can monitor the status of your request using the "My Request Center" menu option at the Austin Public Records Center.
You will receive an email once your request is complete.

--- Please respond above this line ---
Re: Public Information Request of August 11, 2023, Reference # C192301-081123 Dear Samuel Sinyangwe, The City of Austin received a Public Information request from you on August 11, 2023 Your Public Information Request Reference # C192301-081123 is still being processed.  The City of Austin will make the effort to ensure information you have requested is made available in a timely manner.  We anticipate completing your request on or before 09/07/2023. A request for copies of records pertaining to the following: “To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. the total number of use of force incidents in 2022.

2. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by type of force, in 2022 (for example, information that specifies the number of taser incidents in 2022, baton incidents in 2022, etc.)

3. the total number of civilian complaints against law enforcement that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.

4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.

5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.

6. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.

7. the total number of officer-involved shootings in 2022, both fatal and non-fatal.

8. the total number of people who police used force against, broken down by race/ethnicity, in 2022.

When available, I would appreciate being sent individualized data in this request in spreadsheet format. If individualized data are unavailable, please send information that includes aggregate statistics for the item instead.

Note that my requests for civilian complaints are specifically for civilian complaints, please do not include complaints filed by one officer/the department against another officer.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Samuel Sinyangwe

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/ Thank you for contacting the City of Austin. PIR Team City of Austin—Law Department (512) 974-2197

--- Please respond above this line ---
Re: Open Record Request of August 11, 2023, Reference # C192301-081123 Dear Samuel Sinyangwe, The City of Austin received a Public Information request from you on August 11, 2023 This request requires a response from the Austin Police Department and other City of Austin department(s). The Austin Police Department reference number is ____R111341______________. The reference number for other City Department(s) is C192301-081123. Correspondence will be received from both City of Austin departments and Austin Police Department separately. A request for copies of records pertaining to the following: “To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. the total number of use of force incidents in 2022.

2. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by type of force, in 2022 (for example, information that specifies the number of taser incidents in 2022, baton incidents in 2022, etc.)

3. the total number of civilian complaints against law enforcement that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.

4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.

5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.

6. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.

7. the total number of officer-involved shootings in 2022, both fatal and non-fatal.

8. the total number of people who police used force against, broken down by race/ethnicity, in 2022.

When available, I would appreciate being sent individualized data in this request in spreadsheet format. If individualized data are unavailable, please send information that includes aggregate statistics for the item instead.

Note that my requests for civilian complaints are specifically for civilian complaints, please do not include complaints filed by one officer/the department against another officer.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Samuel Sinyangwe

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/ Thank you for contacting the City of Austin. PIR Team City of Austin—Law Department (512) 974-2197

--- Please respond above this line ---

Re: Open Record Request of August 11, 2023, Reference # C192301-081123
Dear Samuel Sinyangwe,
The City of Austin received a Public Information request from you on August 11, 2023, to request copies of records pertaining to the following: “To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. the total number of use of force incidents in 2022.

2. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by type of force, in 2022 (for example, information that specifies the number of taser incidents in 2022, baton incidents in 2022, etc.)

3. the total number of civilian complaints against law enforcement that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.

4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.

5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.

6. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.

7. the total number of officer-involved shootings in 2022, both fatal and non-fatal.

8. the total number of people who police used force against, broken down by race/ethnicity, in 2022.

When available, I would appreciate being sent individualized data in this request in spreadsheet format. If individualized data are unavailable, please send information that includes aggregate statistics for the item instead.

Note that my requests for civilian complaints are specifically for civilian complaints, please do not include complaints filed by one officer/the department against another officer.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Samuel Sinyangwe

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/ Per Office of Police Oversight (OPO) - 3. the total number of civilian complaints against law enforcement that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022. -- This information is pending by OPO, it is in our annual report that has not been approved.

4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022. -- This information is pending by OPO, it is in our annual report that has not been approved.

5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022. -- This information is pending by OPO, it is in our annual report that has not been approved. The annual report will be published on atxpoliceoversight.org after approval.

6. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022. -- The OPO does not accept complaints alleging criminal conduct, only administrative.
Thank you for contacting the City of Austin.
PIR Team
City of Austin—Law Department
(512) 974-2197

--- Please respond above this line ---

Re: Public Information Request of August 08, 2023, Reference # R111341-080823;
Dear Samuel Sinyangwe,
The Austin Police Department received a Public Information request from you on August 08, 2023, to request copies of records pertaining to the following: “:To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. the total number of use of force incidents in 2022.

2. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by type of force, in 2022 (for example, information that specifies the number of taser incidents in 2022, baton incidents in 2022, etc.)

3. the total number of civilian complaints against law enforcement that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.

4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.

5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.

6. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.

7. the total number of officer-involved shootings in 2022, both fatal and non-fatal.

8. the total number of people who police used force against, broken down by race/ethnicity, in 2022.

When available, I would appreciate being sent individualized data in this request in spreadsheet format. If individualized data are unavailable, please send information that includes aggregate statistics for the item instead.

Note that my requests for civilian complaints are specifically for civilian complaints, please do not include complaints filed by one officer/the department against another officer.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Samuel Sinyangwe

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
The City of Austin has responsive information for your request.  Please log in to the Open Records Center at the following link to download the responsive records. Austin Police Department - R111341-080823 Please be advised the website only allows for two downloads of your files, once you have opened your files please save a copy for your records.
Thank you for contacting the City of Austin.
Open Records Unit
Austin Police Department