Needle Pricks while on Call
| Tracking # |
B000431-071417 |
| Submitted | July 10, 2017 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Cynthia Fernandez
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L. c.66, §10, I hereby request the following records:
Any data, including logs or paperwork filed by police, that describes policemen or policewomen being accidentally pricked by needles while on duty.
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,
Cynthia Fernandez
From: Media Relations
Clarification required.
14 June 2017
*via email*
*requests@muckrock.com
<requests@muckrock.com>*
Re: June 10, 2017 Public Records Request #B000431-071417
Dear Cynthia,
The Boston Police Department (BPD) received your July 10, 2017 request for
public records. This letter shall act as the response to your request for
public records. A response to a public records request must be provided
within ten (10) business days from the business day a written request was
received. G. L. c. 66, § 10 (a); 950 CMR 32.06(2)(b). It is expected that
all public records responsive to a request will be provided within
twenty-five business days from the business day a written request was
received. G. L. c. 66, § 10(b)(vi); 950 CMR 32.06(2)(i). This response
applies only to records that exist and are in the custody of the BPD. *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 requested: Any data, including logs or paperwork filed by
police, that describes policemen or policewomen being accidentally pricked
by needles while on duty.
*Please specify a particular date range for this request. *
Pursuant to the Massachusetts law a municipal records custodian is
permitted to assess fees for the provision of public records. G. L. c. 66,
§ 10 (d); 950 CMR 32.07. There is a presumption under the Massachusetts
Public Records Law that government records are public; however, government
records custodians are permitted to redact or withhold portions of public
records. See G. L. c. 4, § 7 (26).
After a determination regarding the existence of any public records the BPD
will provide a supplemental response to your request. Any exemptions to
the Public Records Law that apply to permit or require redaction or
withholding will be described at that time, along with any applicable fees.
Under Massachusetts law you may appeal this response to the Supervisor of
Records in the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. G. L. c. 66, §
10A; 950 CMR 32.08. If you have any questions or concerns, please call
617.343.4520 <(617)%20343-6660>.
Respectfully,
Lieutenant Detective Michael McCarthy
Director, Media Relations
From: Cynthia Fernandez
Hello Lt. McCarthy,
Please provide the data beginning January 1, 2010, through the date this request is processed.
Thank you,
Cynthia Fernandez
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 10, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #B000431-071417.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Media Relations
August 1, 2017
via email only
Request #B000431-071417
Dear Ms. Fernandez,
This email is being sent pursuant to your July 10, 2017 public records
request to the Boston Police Department and subsequent clarification
request and response. Specifically you have requested: Any data, including
logs or paperwork filed by police, that describes policemen or policewomen
being accidentally pricked by needles while on duty.
The Boston Police Department does not track records of police officers
being accidentally stuck by needles. Records of exposures of any kind are
maintained as part of an individual's medical file and, therefore,
protected from disclosure under the HIPPA Law.
As such the department has no records responsive to your request.
Under Massachusetts law you may appeal this response to the Supervisor of
Records in the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. G. L. c. 66, §
10A; 950 CMR 32.08. If you have any questions or concerns, please call
617.343.4520 <(617)%20343-4520>
Sincerely,
Lt. Det. Michael McCarthy
Files
There are no files associated with this request.