Local level SAEC policies/data (Dover)

Vanessa Nason filed this request with the police department of Dover, DE.
Tracking #

2018-137
Submitted Jan. 15, 2018
Est. Completion None
Status
Payment Required

Communications

From: Vanessa Nason

Subject: Freedom of Information Act Request: Local level SAEC polices/data (Dover)

Fax

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to Delaware's Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

Any and all statistics, data, reports, audits, policies, and procedures pertaining to the following items regarding sexual assault evidence collection (SAEC) kits (also known as "rape kits") and processing:

• all standard operating procedures regarding the SAEC process

• any written policies or procedures regarding department practices on the acquisition of or handling of rape kit evidence, including protocols for its collection, testing, and delegation and transfer to all other possibly relevant locations, laboratories, or agencies

• the number of kits collected and booked into evidence from the period of January 1, 2000 through the date this request is processed

• the number of kits that have been processed by a public or private crime or forensic laboratory or equivalent processing location from the period of January 1, 2000 through the date this request is processed

• the number of unprocessed kits in any storage facilities currently under the department’s jurisdiction and control, including those held by medical personnel or at external laboratory locations

• any materials regarding the status or ultimate disposition of cases in which a kit was collected. Please include all available segregable data.

• all audits involving this agency regarding the collection or backlog of SAEC kits

• all proposed alterations or yet-to-be-implemented changes to the policies and procedures regarding the collection, testing, and use of SAEC kits

If there any questions about this request, please feel free to call us at the MuckRock office at 617-299-1832.

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 15 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Vanessa Nason

From: police department

Subject: FOIA 2018-137 - Nason - Local level SAEC Polices and Data (Dover)

Email

Ms. Nason:

We are in receipt of your request for information in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Please be advised that the City Clerk’s Office did not receive your original FOIA request dated January 15, 2018. I spoke with a MuckRock representative and was informed the original request was faxed to the City of Dover Police Department Dispatch. It is the intent of the City of Dover to perform business in an open and public manner and to grant reasonable access to public records. The City of Dover FOIA policy complies with requirements set forth in the Delaware Code which state:

“All public records shall be open to inspection and copying during regular business hours by the custodian of the records for the appropriate public body. Reasonable access to and reasonable facilities for copying of these records shall not be denied to any citizen.”

Please note that production and administrative costs may be incurred if staff time is required to gather information to respond to your request. Prior to fulfilling your request, we will advise you of an estimate of the costs involved (if any). It is to your benefit that your request be stated as specifically as possible in order to avoid unnecessary expense.

The City of Dover FOIA Policy and General FOIA information regarding the processing of FOIA requests (including the FOIA Fee Structure) are available on the City of Dover website (www.cityofdover.com/FOIA<https://www.cityofdover.com/FOIA>).

Please address all follow up correspondence regarding this matter to cityclerk@dover.de.us<mailto:cityclerk@dover.de.us.>. Please feel free to contact me if I can provide you with any additional information regarding your FOIA request.

Thank you,
Janella Tauchus
Administrative Assistant
City Clerk’s Office- City of Dover
City Hall - 15 Loockerman Plaza
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 736-7008

From: police department

Subject: FOIA 2018-137 - Nason - Local level SAEC Polices and Data (Dover)

Email

Ms. Nason:

I am writing in response to your request for information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) for any written polices or procedures regarding department practices on the acquisition of or handling of rape kit evidence, including protocols for its collection, testing, and delegation and transfer to all other possibly relevant locations, laboratories, or agencies and all proposed alterations or yet-to-be-implemented changes to the policies and procedures regarding the collection, testing, and use of SAEC kits. Attached please find an invoice that lists the estimated cost of responding to the aforementioned portion of your request. If you wish to proceed, please remit payment to the City of Dover. Contact information is included on the attached invoice. Upon receipt of your payment, we will move forward with processing your request.
In response to the remaining portion of your request, section 3.1(F) of the City of Dover Freedom of Information Act Policy - Public Records Access states that “This policy does not require the City to make a compilation, summary, or report of information, or otherwise create a document that did not previously exist.” The City of Dover has no existing documents that are responsive to the remaining portion of your request.

Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (302) 736-7008 if you have any questions regarding your FOIA request.

Thank you,
Janella Tauchus
Administrative Assistant
City Clerk’s Office- City of Dover
City Hall - 15 Loockerman Plaza
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 736-7008

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