Police data collection project (Fargo Police Department)
| Multi Request | Police data collection project |
| Submitted | July 5, 2020 |
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Communications
From: Samuel Sinyangwe
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the North Dakota Open Records Law, I hereby request the following records:
1. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by year and by type of force used from 2016-2019 (for example, "27 taser incidents in 2016, 3 baton incidents in 2017, etc.)
2. the total number of civilian complaints alleging any form of law enforcement misconduct that were reported and the total number sustained, separated by year (for example, 8 complaints in 2016, 2 complaints sustained in 2017, 4 complaints in 2018, 1 complaint sustained in 2019, etc.)
3. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained from 2016-2019, 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 2016-2019, separated by year
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 10 business days.
Sincerely,
Samuel Sinyangwe
From: Fargo Police Department
Hello Samuel,
Before I begin working on your inquiry I want to let you know about our fees associated with open records requests. North Dakota Law states law enforcement agencies are able to collect $25.00 per hour (the first hour is free) of work to compile requested information. In looking at your request I estimate a total of 3 hours will be spent to search for, collect and redact. North Dakota Law also requires redaction of specific material for open records releases, I have attached a redaction cover sheet as an example of what will be removed from the data you requested. If you would like to continue with your request you will need to pay a total of $50.00 before we begin on this inquiry. If the time spent on your request is less than my estimate you will be refunded, if the time spent is more than my estimate you will need to pay the difference before it's released to you. Please let me know if you would like to proceed and I can facilitate the payment for you by phone/email.
Have a good day,
Sgt.Tom Shaw
Fargo Police Dept.
Ph: 701-241-1416
[Patch_FPD][Red River SWAT]
Fide et Fortitudine
From: Samuel Sinyangwe
To Whom It May Concern:
Please find enclosed a check for $50.00 to satisfy the fee associated with the attached public records request.
Thank you.
Fargo Police Department
North Dakota Open Records Law Office
105 25 St. N.
Fargo, ND 58102
From: Fargo Police Department
Hello,
In regards to your open records request I have included statistics on our use of force incidents and civilian initiated complaints. I've included the number/type of use of force incidents broken down by the year from 2016 - 2019 below. As for the citizen initiated complaints, there was one citizen initiated complaint for misconduct in 2018 that was not sustained. In 2019, there was one citizen initiated complaint for misconduct that was sustained. There were zero citizen initiated complaints for excessive force between 2016 and 2019. Also, there were zero citizen initiated complaints for racial profiling or biased policing between 2016 and 2019.
Use of Force Incidents:
2016
Physical
41
Taser
25
OC
3
K9
4
Firearm
4
2017
Physical
46
Taser
20
OC
2
Firearm
7
K9
4
2018
Physical
28
Taser
14
OC
0
K9
1
Firearm
9
2019
Physical
52
Taser
22
OC
0
40mm
2
Pepperball
2
K9
2
Firearm
3
2018 Use of Force Incidents
Sgt.Tom Shaw
Fargo Police Dept.
Ph: 701-241-1416
[Patch_FPD][Red River SWAT]
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