NDAs Etc with Grayshift and Magnet Forensics (Boston Police Department)

Dear Joseph Cox
Thank you for your interest in public records of Boston Police Department. Your request has been received and is being processed. Your request was received in this office on 5/13/2021 5:30:12 PM and given the reference number B000836-051321 for tracking purposes.
If this is a media request, please contact the Office of Media Relations directly at 617.343.4520.
To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:

- Copies of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs), and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) with Grayshift.
- Copies of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs), and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) between your agency and Magnet Forensics.

In order to help to determine my status to assess fees, you should know that I am a journalist writing for Motherboard, VICE's science and technology site, and that this request is being made as part of news gathering.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.

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,

Joseph Cox

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://www.muckrock.com/
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 Public Records Center.
Director, Public Information
Boston Police Department

May 25, 2021

Joe Cox

requests@muckrock.com

Re: *May 13, 2021 Public Records Request*

Dear Mr. Cox:

The BPD (Boston Police Department) has received your request for public
records. This response applies only to records that exist and are in the
custody of the City. See *A Guide to the Massachusetts Public Records Law*,
p. 32, n.115. It is expected that a custodian of records must use her
superior knowledge of her records with respect to responses to public
records requests. 950 CMR 32.04(5). Specifically, you stated:

*To Whom It May Concern:*

*Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, I hereby request the
following records:*

*- Copies of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), Memorandums of Agreement
(MOAs), and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) with Grayshift.*

*- Copies of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), Memorandums of Agreement
(MOAs), and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) between your agency and Magnet
Forensics.*

*In order to help to determine my status to assess fees, you should know
that I am a journalist writing for Motherboard, VICE's science and
technology site, and that this request is being made as part of news
gathering.*

*I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this
request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the
recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The
requested documents will be made available to the general public free of
charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed
by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of
news gathering and not for commercial usage.*

*I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for
screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read
print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for
example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.*

*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,*

*Joseph Cox*

Please find all responsive documents to your request attached in this email.

You may appeal this response to the Supervisor of Records in the Office of
the Secretary of the Commonwealth. G. L. c. 66, § 10A (c); G. L. c. 66, §
10(b)(ix); 950 CMR 32.08; 950 CMR 32.08(1)(h) (in petitioning the
Supervisor, the requester shall provide a copy of such petition to the
records access officer associated with such petition). You may also appeal
to the Superior Court. 950 CMR 32.06(3)(c).

Thank you,

Sgt Det. John Boyle
--
*Sergeant Detective John Boyle*
*Boston Police Department*
*Office of Media Relations*
*1 Schroeder Plaza*
*Boston, Massachusetts, 02120*
617-343-4520

--- Please respond above this line ---
Public Record Request of 5/13/2021 Reference No: B000836-051321 Dear Joseph Cox: The Boston Police Department (Department) received your  request for public records.  This letter shall act as the response to your request for public records. Please note this response will apply only to the records that exist and are in the custody of the Department. See A Guide to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, p. 32, n.115.  It is expected that a custodian of records must user her superior knowledge of her records with respect to responses to public records requests.  See 950 C.M.R. 32.04(5). Specifically, you requested: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:

- Copies of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs), and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) with Grayshift.
- Copies of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs), and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) between your agency and Magnet Forensics.

In order to help to determine my status to assess fees, you should know that I am a journalist writing for Motherboard, VICE's science and technology site, and that this request is being made as part of news gathering.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.

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,

Joseph Cox

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://www.muckrock.com/ In response to your request, a comprehensive search was conducted with the information you provided.  We were unable to find any records that would be responsive to this request. If you have been denied records by the Boston Police Department, you have the right to appeal this decision with the Supervisor of Public Records at the Public Records Division of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
To monitor the progress or update this request please log into the Public Records Center.