Sheriff data request (2016-2020) (Hays County Sheriff's Office)

Dear Samuel Sinyangwe:
Thank you for your interest in public records of Hays County. Your request has been received and is being processed in accordance with Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code (the Public Information Act). If your request was submitted after business hours or on a weekend or holiday, the next business day will be considered the date of receipt. Your reference number is R003731-103022 for tracking purposes. Records Requested: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by type of force and year used from 2016-2020 (for example, information that specifies the number of taser incidents in 2020, baton incidents in 2020, etc.). Please include as part of this a breakdown of how many use of force incidents in each year were related to law enforcement operations and how many were related to correctional/custodial operations.

2. the total number of civilian complaints alleging any form of law enforcement misconduct that were reported and the total number sustained from 2016-2020, separated by year.

3. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained from 2016-2020, 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 2016-2020, separated by year.

5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained from 2016-2020, separated by year.

6. the total number of officer involved shootings from 2016-2020, both fatal and non-fatal, separated by year.

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, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Samuel Sinyangwe

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
Your request will be forwarded to the relevant Hays County department(s) in order to diligently gather the information you seek. In addition, our office will review all information prior to disclosure and determine any costs that may be associated with satisfying your request.
If our review indicates that responsive information is privileged or non-disclosable, then a request for ruling will be sent to the Office of the Attorney General for a ruling on the matter. The due date for a request for ruling is ten (10) business days from the date your request is considered received by Hays County. (Clarifications and fee requirements may change the date a request is considered received by Hays County.) All information that is not the subject of a request for ruling will be provided to you as soon as reasonably possible. You will be contacted about the availability of records and/or provided with copies of the records in question.

PLEASE NOTE: Chapter 552 of Texas Government Code (the Public Information Act) does not require a governmental body to create new information, to perform legal research, or to answer general questions. Your request must seek records or information already in existence at the time of your request.
You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below and you'll receive an email when your request has been completed. Again, thank you for using the Hays County Public Information Request System.
Hays County
Office of General Counsel

--- Please respond above this line ---

November 15, 2022Samuel Sinyangwe
MuckRock News, DEPT MR135809
Boston, MA 02115

RE: Public Records Information Request Reference No.: R003731-103022

Dear Samuel Sinyangwe,

We are still in the process of gathering the information responsive to your request and should have the responsive information to you by the end of next week. Thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,

Jordan Powell
Assistant General Counsel
Hays County Office of General Counsel

--- Please respond above this line ---

November 21, 2022
RE: PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUEST submitted October 30, 2022, Reference # R003731-103022.
Dear Samuel Sinyangwe,
Hays County officially received a public information request from you on October 30, 2022. Your request sought:
“To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by type of force and year used from 2016-2020 (for example, information that specifies the number of taser incidents in 2020, baton incidents in 2020, etc.). Please include as part of this a breakdown of how many use of force incidents in each year were related to law enforcement operations and how many were related to correctional/custodial operations.

2. the total number of civilian complaints alleging any form of law enforcement misconduct that were reported and the total number sustained from 2016-2020, separated by year.

3. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained from 2016-2020, 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 2016-2020, separated by year.

5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained from 2016-2020, separated by year.

6. the total number of officer involved shootings from 2016-2020, both fatal and non-fatal, separated by year.

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, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Samuel Sinyangwe

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
Hays County has reviewed its files and has located responsive records to your request.  Please log in to the Hays County Public Information Request System at the following link to retrieve the responsive documents.
Public Information Request - R003731-103022
If you have any questions, or wish to discuss this further, please contact our office at (512) 393-2219.
Sincerely,
Jordan Powell
Assistant General Counsel
Hays County Office of General Counsel