Missouri police data collection (Cape Girardeau Police Department)

Good afternoon Samuel,
This request will likely require several hours to separate and redact the exempt information as directed in section 610.024.1. Section 610.026.1(1) sets the fee structure at ten cents per page for copying and authorizes the charge for research time at the actual cost of personnel assigned to the task. Section 610.026.2 authorizes the governmental body to request payment in advance.

Also pursuant to 610.100 (3) law enforcement agencies are afforded discretion to withhold arrest, incident, or other reports or records if they contain information that is "reasonable likely to pose a clear and present danger to the safety of any victim, witness, undercover officer or other person." Law enforcement agencies may also withhold otherwise public records if disclosure would "jeopardize a criminal investigation", or would disclose the identity of a source wishing to remain confidential or of a suspect not in custody.

Before we would proceed with this request (which would require several hours to research) we would estimate time and cost and ask for the fee in advance. Please advise how you would like to proceed?

Respectfully,

Lt. Jeff Bonham
Auxiliary Services Division
Cape Girardeau Police Department
2530 Maria Louise Ln, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
573-335-6621, Ext. 1170 | Fax: 573-339-6361
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requests@muckrock.com<mailto:requests@muckrock.com>

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the The Missouri Sunshine Law, I hereby request the following records:

1. the total number of use of force incidents reported by the police department, separated by year and by type of force used from 2013-2020 (for example, "27 taser incidents in 2019, 3 baton incidents in 2020, etc.)
2. the total number of civilian complaints alleging any form of law enforcement misconduct that were reported and the total number sustained from 2013-2020, separated by year (for example, 8 complaints in 2016, 2 complaints sustained in 2016, 4 complaints in 2017, 1 complaint sustained in 2017, etc.)
3. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained from 2013-2020, separated by year.
4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained from 2013-2020, separated by year.
5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained from 2013-2020, separated by year.
6. all information reported to the FBI's National Use-of-Force Data Collection program to date.
7. a list of all officer involved shootings that were directed at a person from 2013-20 (excluding shootings of animals and accidental discharges that are not directed at a person).
8. the total amount of money paid out in lawsuits and settlements relating to allegations of police misconduct per year from 2013-20. This includes copies of all reports, lists, databases, or individual documents that detail lawsuits brought against the city's police department and the outcome of lawsuits brought against the city's police department including any financial settlement occurring from 2013-20. It should also include any documents that your department submits to local, state, or federal agencies listing the number and/or status of lawsuits brought against the police department. This request includes any documents compiled quarterly, annually, or in other increments as well as any documents or databases that contain responsive information.

If only partial information is available responsive to one or more of these requests, please provide all of the information that is available.

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 3 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Samuel Sinyangwe

Good Morning Sam,

After further careful review and consideration, the Cape Girardeau Police Department does not have any documents that summarizes or list (s) the following records request (no such records exist):

1. the total number of use of force incidents reported by the police department, separated by year and by type of force used from 2013-2020 (for example, "27 taser incidents in 2019, 3 baton incidents in 2020, etc.)
2. the total number of civilian complaints alleging any form of law enforcement misconduct that were reported and the total number sustained from 2013-2020, separated by year (for example, 8 complaints in 2016, 2 complaints sustained in 2016, 4 complaints in 2017, 1 complaint sustained in 2017, etc.)
3. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained from 2013-2020, separated by year.
4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained from 2013-2020, separated by year.
5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained from 2013-2020, separated by year.
7. a list of all officer involved shootings that were directed at a person from 2013-20 (excluding shootings of animals and accidental discharges that are not directed at a person).

As to the below request, the Cape Girardeau Police Department does not participate in that data collection system.

6. all information reported to the FBI's National Use-of-Force Data Collection program to date.

As to the below request, the Cape Girardeau Police Department does not have any documents that summarizes or list (s) the following records request:

8. the total amount of money paid out in lawsuits and settlements relating to allegations of police misconduct per year from 2013-20. This includes copies of all reports, lists, databases, or individual documents that detail lawsuits brought against the city's police department and the outcome of lawsuits brought against the city's police department including any financial settlement occurring from 2013-20. It should also include any documents that your department submits to local, state, or federal agencies listing the number and/or status of lawsuits brought against the police department. This request includes any documents compiled quarterly, annually, or in other increments as well as any documents or databases that contain responsive information.

You may reach out to the City of Cape Girardeau’s Custodian of Records @ 573-339-6320 to request information on the total amount paid in lawsuits and settlements relating to allegations of police misconduct.
Best Regards,

Jeff