Police Data Collection Request (2016-2021)
| Tracking # |
VFOIA-70720 |
| Submitted | Dec. 18, 2022 |
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Communications
From: Samuel Sinyangwe
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
1. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by year, from 2016-2021 (for example, 302 use of force incidents in 2016, 287 use of force incidents in 2017, etc.)
2. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by type of force and year used for 2021 (for example, information that specifies the number of taser incidents in 2021, baton incidents in 2021, etc.)
3. the total number of civilian complaints alleging any form of law enforcement misconduct that were reported and the total number sustained from 2016; 2019-2021.
4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained from 2016; 2019-2021.
5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained from 2016; 2019-2021.
6. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained from 2016; 2019-2021.
When available, I would appreciate being sent individualized data for each item 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 alleging police misconduct, 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 5 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Tom Nash, a citizen of Virginia, in coordination with Samuel Sinyangwe.
From: Fairfax County Police Department
Tom Nash,
Thank you for submitting your Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA) request, which was received by the Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs on December 19, 2022. Please see attached.
As a preliminary matter, please note that the Fairfax County Police Department's Internal Affairs Bureau has published Administrative Investigation and Use of Force Data Reports and those reports are available online here<https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/chief/reports/iab>. OPA has forwarded your request to the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) for processing, and FCPD will respond to you directly. For reference, we have included contact information for FCPD below and online<https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/contact/AgencyList.aspx>.
Fairfax County Police Department<https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/fairfax-county-police-department>
12099 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, Virginia 22035
703-246-4561
FCPDFOIA@fairfaxcounty.gov<mailto:FCPDFOIA@fairfaxcounty.gov>
Please be advised that additional records you seek may be in the custody of the Fairfax County Police Civilian Review Panel. Contact information for the Fairfax County Police Civilian Review Panel is below and online<https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/contact/AgencyList.aspx>.
Fairfax County Police Civilian Review Panel<https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/policecivilianreviewpanel/>
12000 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, Virginia 22035
703-324-3459
PoliceCivilianReviewPanel@fairfaxcounty.gov<mailto:PoliceCivilianReviewPanel@fairfaxcounty.gov>
Regards,
Countywide FOIA Office
Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, Virginia 22035-0065
FOIA@fairfaxcounty.gov<mailto:FOIA@fairfaxcounty.gov> | 703-324-2639
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/publicaffairs/foia<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fairfaxcounty.gov%2Fpublicaffairs%2Ffoia&data=04%7C01%7Cfoia%40fairfaxcounty.gov%7C4e9e46bfcc94402ef92208d9537374e4%7Ca26156cb5d6f41729d7d934eb0a7b275%7C0%7C0%7C637632577962254818%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=kavoymujjG7tf3knQ7Xk3GizpScmdKD2HmaR4LAQ%2FPY%3D&reserved=0>
From: Fairfax County Police Department
Re: Use of force data for FCPD
Our Re: 22-FOIA-1912
Dear Tom Nash:
Your Virginia Freedom of Information Act request (VFOIA) was received by the FOIA Compliance Division on December 19, 2022. You requested the following information:
1. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by year, from 2016-2021 (for example, 302 use of force incidents in 2016, 287 use of force incidents in 2017, etc.)
1. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by type of force and year used for 2021 (for example, information that specifies the number of taser incidents in 2021, baton incidents in 2021, etc.)
3. the total number of civilian complaints alleging any form of law enforcement misconduct that were reported and the total number sustained from 2016; 2019-2021.
4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained from 2016; 2019-2021.
5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained from 2016; 2019-2021.
6. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained from 2016; 2019-2021.
The estimated cost to provide the requested materials is $238.01. A copy of the cost estimate is attached. No further processing of your request will be done until the full amount indicated on the attached estimate is received by our office.
Pursuant to Va. Code Ann. 2.2-3704(H), the County requires payment prior to the processing of your VFOIA request, because the estimated costs will exceed $200.00.
If you wish to continue with your VFOIA request, please pay the amount on the attached invoice. Payments are due by the listed due date and can be made with a credit/debit card through our new online payment portal here<https://ffxpayments.virginiainteractive.org/payments/FCPD-FOIA> or you may pay by check.
If you wish to pay by check, please make your check payable to the "County of Fairfax" and mail to my attention at the below listed address. Enclose a copy of your invoice and reference our control number on your check to ensure your payment is properly processed. Please note that payments must be paid in full and cannot be split.
If payment is not received within 30 days of this advance cost notice, then your request will be considered withdrawn pursuant to Va. Code § 2.2-3704(F).
If we can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at (703) 246-4561 or FCPDFOIA@fairfaxcounty.gov<mailto:FCPDFOIA@fairfaxcounty.gov>.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth K. Wilkins
Elizabeth K. Wilkins, Acting Manager
FOIA Compliance Division
EKW/jc
Fairfax County Police Department
FOIA Compliance Division
12099 Government Center Pkwy, 8th floor
Fairfax, VA 22035
(703) 246-4561
FCPDFOIA@fairfaxcounty.gov<mailto:FCPDFOIA@fairfaxcounty.gov>
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Estimate Invoice
From: Samuel Sinyangwe
To Whom It May Concern:
Please find enclosed a check for $238.01 to satisfy the fee associated with the attached public records request.
Thank you.
County of Fairfax
Countywide FOIA Office
Suite 551
12000 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
From: Fairfax County Police Department
Hi Mr. Nash,
We are working on pulling the requested data and we need a little clarification for #3 and #6. Are there specific allegations you're looking for since misconduct and criminal conduct are very broad terms? Thank you.
Fairfax County Police Department
FOIA Compliance Division
12099 Government Center Pkwy, 8th floor
Fairfax, VA 22035
(703) 246-4561
FCPDFOIA@fairfaxcounty.gov<mailto:FCPDFOIA@fairfaxcounty.gov>
From: Samuel Sinyangwe
Hi, for item 3, I’m looking for all civilian complaints against law enforcement. For item 6, it’s all complaints against law enforcement that involve a criminal allegation of any kind against the officer.
Thanks!
Sam
From: Fairfax County Police Department
Re: Use of force data
Our Re: 22-FOIA-1912
Dear Mr. Nash:
This letter is in response to your Virginia Freedom of Information Act request received by the Fairfax County Police Department on December 19, 2022.
Thank you for your payment of $238.01.
Attached to this email is the requested use of force data. Please be advised that since we have not heard back from you in reference to requests #3 and #6, it is unclear what specific records you are requesting.
Pursuant to Va. Code Ann. § 2.2-3704(B), VFOIA requires that requests for public records be made with reasonable specificity.
If we can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at (703) 246-4561 or FCPDFOIA@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth K. Wilkins
Elizabeth K. Wilkins, Acting Manager
FOIA Compliance Division
EKW/jc
From: Fairfax County Police Department
Hello Mr. Nash,
Please see the below requested data for questions 3 and 6.
Community Member Generated Investigations by Received date
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Allegation#
154
150
252
373
319
147
Sustained employee #
9
13
29
58
38
17
Community Member Generated Investigations for Criminal Allegation by Received date
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Allegation #
25
6
4
18
23
15
Sustained employee #
1
0
0
2
2
2
Fairfax County Police Department
FOIA Compliance Division
12099 Government Center Pkwy, 8th floor
Fairfax, VA 22035
(703) 246-4561
FCPDFOIA@fairfaxcounty.gov<mailto:FCPDFOIA@fairfaxcounty.gov>
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