Henderson, NV PD Citizen Complaints

Dear Alexander Cartwright,
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Dear Alexander Cartwright,
Thank you for your request received on 08/14/2017 regarding Records Requests>Media Request-Police Department. It has been assigned ID# efm 17-403946.
You will receive a response to your request within seven days. If you should have any further questions please feel free to contact us again and refer to the identification number above.
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Sincerely,
City of Henderson
http://www.cityofhenderson.com

Hello Mr. Cartwright,

Please find attached the City of Henderson's initial response to your public records request dated August 8, 2017.

Thank you,
Kathleen Richards
Reply to this email or use this link to add notes to the case:
https://clients.comcate.com/myfeedbackView.php?view=1250752&id=90
>>>> Attachments <<<<
Initial Response Download (https://clients.comcate.com/viewAttachment.php?id=elZoc3I5akkvRSthdG9Cb2l1a3BVMXpDQ2pkSHJIYUZwTnEyYzRIYktnTT0=)

Original Request
August 8, 2017
Henderson Police
223 Lead Street
Henderson, NV 89015
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Nevada Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
We are Economics Professors in the College of Business at Ferris State University, and are engaged in an empirical research project on police behavior and citizen complaints. This project requires us to request data from your department. If you have questions about this request or suggestions, we would be happy to discuss them with you.
I have reviewed your annual reports; there are a few bits of information I am looking for but only for a couple years. However, I am requesting the following information:
1. What is the total number of citizen complaints (allegations of misconduct) made against your department’s officers annually for the last 10 years? If your department logs complaints in a database, spreadsheet, or other log, a copy of those logs is fine instead.
Please include the type of complaint (i.e., use of force, abuse language, unwarranted search) and the result of complaint (i.e., sustained, exonerated).
2. What is the total number of complaints police officers made against their peer officers in department annually for the last 10 years? If your department logs complaints in a database, spreadsheet, or other log, a copy of those logs is fine instead.
Please include the type of complaint (i.e., use of force, abuse language, unwarranted search) and the result of complaint (i.e., sustained, exonerated).
3. What is the total number of calls for service your department received annually for the past 10 years? If your department logs calls for service in a database, spreadsheet, or other log, a copy of those logs is fine instead.
4. What is the annual number of officers involved in shootings in your department for the past 10 years? Any documentation or reports that detail the annual number of officer-involved shootings in your department for the past 10 years would be sufficient.
Please include documentation regarding how many of these officer-involved shootings involved disciplinary action. (Please list officer firearm discharge directed at a person separately from a shooting involving an animal and separately from accidental firearm discharges).
Please include the number of officer-involved shootings resulting in discipline.
5. Which of the above data are published publicly? Please provide a link to any and all publicly available reports containing the data above.
Collecting this information is very important to our research, so we would like to emphasize, if you have questions about my request or suggestions, we would be happy to discuss them with you.
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,
Alexander Cartwright and Jennifer Dirmeyer

Hi Mr. Cartwright,

In reference to your follow-up question on item number 1: yes, complaints are presently categorized as external and internal. We can provide the total annual number of external complaints for 2011-present but we would need to research individual records to determine the annual number of external complaints prior to 2011. Additionally, external complaints will include topics other than citizen complaints against officers, such as inmates in the Henderson Detention Center, other law enforcement agencies, etc.

In reference to your follow-up question on item number 2: yes, we can provide the total annual number of internal complaints for 2011-present but would need to research individual records to determine the annual number of internal complaints prior to 2011. Additionally, most of the records categorized as internal do not involve a complaint made by an officer against another officer. These could include discipline brought by a supervisor, collision investigations, etc. Anecdotally, complaints by one officer against another are very rare. A previous search showed a total of two in a three year period.

Please let me know what items you would like us to proceed with the additional research that is outlined here and in our original response.

Thank you,
Kathleen Richards
Reply to this email or use this link to add notes to the case:
https://clients.comcate.com/myfeedbackView.php?view=1250752&id=90

Original Request
August 8, 2017
Henderson Police
223 Lead Street
Henderson, NV 89015
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Nevada Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
We are Economics Professors in the College of Business at Ferris State University, and are engaged in an empirical research project on police behavior and citizen complaints. This project requires us to request data from your department. If you have questions about this request or suggestions, we would be happy to discuss them with you.
I have reviewed your annual reports; there are a few bits of information I am looking for but only for a couple years. However, I am requesting the following information:
1. What is the total number of citizen complaints (allegations of misconduct) made against your department’s officers annually for the last 10 years? If your department logs complaints in a database, spreadsheet, or other log, a copy of those logs is fine instead.
Please include the type of complaint (i.e., use of force, abuse language, unwarranted search) and the result of complaint (i.e., sustained, exonerated).
2. What is the total number of complaints police officers made against their peer officers in department annually for the last 10 years? If your department logs complaints in a database, spreadsheet, or other log, a copy of those logs is fine instead.
Please include the type of complaint (i.e., use of force, abuse language, unwarranted search) and the result of complaint (i.e., sustained, exonerated).
3. What is the total number of calls for service your department received annually for the past 10 years? If your department logs calls for service in a database, spreadsheet, or other log, a copy of those logs is fine instead.
4. What is the annual number of officers involved in shootings in your department for the past 10 years? Any documentation or reports that detail the annual number of officer-involved shootings in your department for the past 10 years would be sufficient.
Please include documentation regarding how many of these officer-involved shootings involved disciplinary action. (Please list officer firearm discharge directed at a person separately from a shooting involving an animal and separately from accidental firearm discharges).
Please include the number of officer-involved shootings resulting in discipline.
5. Which of the above data are published publicly? Please provide a link to any and all publicly available reports containing the data above.
Collecting this information is very important to our research, so we would like to emphasize, if you have questions about my request or suggestions, we would be happy to discuss them with you.
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,
Alexander Cartwright and Jennifer Dirmeyer

Hi Alexander,

I'm confirming that you modified your request on Aug. 24 for items 1 and 2 for us to now provide only the total annual number of external complaints, and total annual number of internal complaints, for 2007-2016. We anticipate being able to provide you these figures by Sept. 14.

I also wanted to follow up on item 4. I specified in my initial response that we would need to research each individual case to determine whether an officer involved shooting involved disciplinary action, was at a person or animal, or accidental. Did you want us to proceed with that research which we anticipate would take about one month?

Thank you,
Kathleen
Reply to this email or use this link to add notes to the case:
https://clients.comcate.com/myfeedbackView.php?view=1250752&id=90

Original Request
August 8, 2017
Henderson Police
223 Lead Street
Henderson, NV 89015
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Nevada Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
We are Economics Professors in the College of Business at Ferris State University, and are engaged in an empirical research project on police behavior and citizen complaints. This project requires us to request data from your department. If you have questions about this request or suggestions, we would be happy to discuss them with you.
I have reviewed your annual reports; there are a few bits of information I am looking for but only for a couple years. However, I am requesting the following information:
1. What is the total number of citizen complaints (allegations of misconduct) made against your department’s officers annually for the last 10 years? If your department logs complaints in a database, spreadsheet, or other log, a copy of those logs is fine instead.
Please include the type of complaint (i.e., use of force, abuse language, unwarranted search) and the result of complaint (i.e., sustained, exonerated).
2. What is the total number of complaints police officers made against their peer officers in department annually for the last 10 years? If your department logs complaints in a database, spreadsheet, or other log, a copy of those logs is fine instead.
Please include the type of complaint (i.e., use of force, abuse language, unwarranted search) and the result of complaint (i.e., sustained, exonerated).
3. What is the total number of calls for service your department received annually for the past 10 years? If your department logs calls for service in a database, spreadsheet, or other log, a copy of those logs is fine instead.
4. What is the annual number of officers involved in shootings in your department for the past 10 years? Any documentation or reports that detail the annual number of officer-involved shootings in your department for the past 10 years would be sufficient.
Please include documentation regarding how many of these officer-involved shootings involved disciplinary action. (Please list officer firearm discharge directed at a person separately from a shooting involving an animal and separately from accidental firearm discharges).
Please include the number of officer-involved shootings resulting in discipline.
5. Which of the above data are published publicly? Please provide a link to any and all publicly available reports containing the data above.
Collecting this information is very important to our research, so we would like to emphasize, if you have questions about my request or suggestions, we would be happy to discuss them with you.
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,
Alexander Cartwright and Jennifer Dirmeyer

Hello Mr. Cartwright,

Please find attached the City of Henderson's response to your modified public records request dated August 24, 2017. Withthis document we will consider your request fulfilled.

Thank you,
Kathleen Richards
Reply to this email or use this link to add notes to the case:
https://clients.comcate.com/myfeedbackView.php?view=1250752&id=90
>>>> Attachments <<<<
Public Records Request efm 17-403946-2 Download (https://clients.comcate.com/viewAttachment.php?id=WW51aXYvazR1S3l1SGVRNnNidEcvalZLL01YbVp5T2xybXNyS0hFN3lsTT0=)

Original Request
August 8, 2017
Henderson Police
223 Lead Street
Henderson, NV 89015
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Nevada Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
We are Economics Professors in the College of Business at Ferris State University, and are engaged in an empirical research project on police behavior and citizen complaints. This project requires us to request data from your department. If you have questions about this request or suggestions, we would be happy to discuss them with you.
I have reviewed your annual reports; there are a few bits of information I am looking for but only for a couple years. However, I am requesting the following information:
1. What is the total number of citizen complaints (allegations of misconduct) made against your department’s officers annually for the last 10 years? If your department logs complaints in a database, spreadsheet, or other log, a copy of those logs is fine instead.
Please include the type of complaint (i.e., use of force, abuse language, unwarranted search) and the result of complaint (i.e., sustained, exonerated).
2. What is the total number of complaints police officers made against their peer officers in department annually for the last 10 years? If your department logs complaints in a database, spreadsheet, or other log, a copy of those logs is fine instead.
Please include the type of complaint (i.e., use of force, abuse language, unwarranted search) and the result of complaint (i.e., sustained, exonerated).
3. What is the total number of calls for service your department received annually for the past 10 years? If your department logs calls for service in a database, spreadsheet, or other log, a copy of those logs is fine instead.
4. What is the annual number of officers involved in shootings in your department for the past 10 years? Any documentation or reports that detail the annual number of officer-involved shootings in your department for the past 10 years would be sufficient.
Please include documentation regarding how many of these officer-involved shootings involved disciplinary action. (Please list officer firearm discharge directed at a person separately from a shooting involving an animal and separately from accidental firearm discharges).
Please include the number of officer-involved shootings resulting in discipline.
5. Which of the above data are published publicly? Please provide a link to any and all publicly available reports containing the data above.
Collecting this information is very important to our research, so we would like to emphasize, if you have questions about my request or suggestions, we would be happy to discuss them with you.
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,
Alexander Cartwright and Jennifer Dirmeyer

Hello Mr. Cartwright,

Henderson Police Department defines an officer-involved shooting (OIS) as a situation where an officer intentionally discharges their firearm in the performance of their duty, regardless of whether they strike or miss their intended target. The exception would be a situation where an officer used a firearm on an animal, for humanitarian reasons or to defend themselves or another person from an attack. The negligent/unintentional discharge of a firearm is not considered an OIS and would not be included in data on officer-involved shootings.

Regards,
Kathleen Richards
Reply to this email or use this link to add notes to the case:
https://clients.comcate.com/myfeedbackView.php?view=1250752&id=90

Original Request
August 8, 2017
Henderson Police
223 Lead Street
Henderson, NV 89015
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Nevada Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
We are Economics Professors in the College of Business at Ferris State University, and are engaged in an empirical research project on police behavior and citizen complaints. This project requires us to request data from your department. If you have questions about this request or suggestions, we would be happy to discuss them with you.
I have reviewed your annual reports; there are a few bits of information I am looking for but only for a couple years. However, I am requesting the following information:
1. What is the total number of citizen complaints (allegations of misconduct) made against your department’s officers annually for the last 10 years? If your department logs complaints in a database, spreadsheet, or other log, a copy of those logs is fine instead.
Please include the type of complaint (i.e., use of force, abuse language, unwarranted search) and the result of complaint (i.e., sustained, exonerated).
2. What is the total number of complaints police officers made against their peer officers in department annually for the last 10 years? If your department logs complaints in a database, spreadsheet, or other log, a copy of those logs is fine instead.
Please include the type of complaint (i.e., use of force, abuse language, unwarranted search) and the result of complaint (i.e., sustained, exonerated).
3. What is the total number of calls for service your department received annually for the past 10 years? If your department logs calls for service in a database, spreadsheet, or other log, a copy of those logs is fine instead.
4. What is the annual number of officers involved in shootings in your department for the past 10 years? Any documentation or reports that detail the annual number of officer-involved shootings in your department for the past 10 years would be sufficient.
Please include documentation regarding how many of these officer-involved shootings involved disciplinary action. (Please list officer firearm discharge directed at a person separately from a shooting involving an animal and separately from accidental firearm discharges).
Please include the number of officer-involved shootings resulting in discipline.
5. Which of the above data are published publicly? Please provide a link to any and all publicly available reports containing the data above.
Collecting this information is very important to our research, so we would like to emphasize, if you have questions about my request or suggestions, we would be happy to discuss them with you.
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,
Alexander Cartwright and Jennifer Dirmeyer