Police Data Collection Request (2022)

Dear Kent Hoover,


Your public information request has been received in the City of Chattanooga Open Records office on 10/17/2023 and given the reference number W038965-101723 for tracking purposes.

Records Requested: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records 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 7 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Kent Hoover, a citizen of Tennessee, in coordination with Samuel Sinyangwe.
Your request will be forwarded to the relevant City department(s) to locate the information you seek and to determine the volume and any costs associated with satisfying your request.
You will be contacted within seven (7) business days regarding the status of your request and/or the availability of the records requested.
You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below and you'll receive an email when your request has been completed. Thank you for using the Open Records Center.
City of Chattanooga Open Records Office of the City Attorney (423) 643-8223

--- Please respond above this line ---

RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST of October 17, 2023, Reference # W038965-101723.
Dear Kent,
The City received a public information request from you on October 17, 2023. Your request mentioned: “To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records 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 7 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Kent Hoover, a citizen of Tennessee, in coordination with Samuel Sinyangwe.”
The City has reviewed its files and has located responsive records to your request.  Please log in to the Chattanooga Public Records Center at the following link to retrieve the appropriate responsive documents. Police Department Records Request - W038965-101723
If you have any questions, or wish to discuss this further, please contact our office.
Sincerely, City of Chattanooga Open Records Office of the City Attorney (423) 643-8223