Police Data Collection Request (2022)

Dear Tom Nash:
Thank you for your interest in public records of City of Hampton, Virginia. Your request has been received and is being processed in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.  Your request was received in this office on 10/17/2023 and given the reference number F012992-101723 for tracking purposes. Requests received after 4:30pm on a business day will be processed the following business day.  Requests received on weekends, holidays, or other days City offices are closed will be processed on the next business day. Records Requested: --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 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 5 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Tom Nash, a citizen of Virginia, in coordination with Samuel Sinyangwe.

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
Your request will be forwarded to the relevant department(s) to locate the records you requested and to determine if there are any costs associated with responding to your request. The city has 5 business days to respond to you, either by asking for more details about the request; filling the request; filling part of the request; denying the request; or letting you know that the city needs more time. If all or part of your request is denied, the city will state what parts of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act exempt that information from mandatory public release.  Note that FOIA does not require governments to create records that do not currently exist. Governments can charge the cost of locating, reviewing, and copying records, and can request a deposit if the cost is estimated to be more than $200.
You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below and you will receive an email when your request has been completed. Again, thank you for using the Hampton Public Records Portal.
City of Hampton, Virginia

--- Please respond above this line ---

RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST of October 17, 2023, Reference # F012992-101723
Dear Mr. Nash,
The City of Hampton, Virginia received a public information request from you on October 17, 2023. Your request mentioned: "--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 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 5 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Tom Nash, a citizen of Virginia, in coordination with Samuel Sinyangwe.

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
In response to Numbers 1 and 7 above, please be advised of the following:
1. Use of Force Incidents for 2022 = 71
7. Officer Involved Shooting Incidents for 2022 = 2
Please also be advised that the Hampton Police Division has no documentation responsive to Numbers 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 above.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Thank you for your attention.

Cheryl H. Mansfield
FOIA/Litigation Paralegal
Hampton City Attorney’s Office | 22 Lincoln Street, 8th floor | Hampton, VA  23669
Telephone: (757) 727-6127 | Fax: (757) 727-6788
cheryl.mansfield@hampton.gov