Police data collection project (High Point Police Department)

Samuel Sinyangwe filed this request with the High Point Police Department of High Point, NC.
Multi Request Police data collection project
Submitted July 5, 2020
Est. Completion None
Status
No Responsive Documents

Communications

From: Samuel Sinyangwe

Subject: North Carolina Public Records Law Request: Police data collection project (High Point Police Department)

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To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the North Carolina Public 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: High Point Police Department

Subject: Re: North Carolina Public Records Law Request: Police data collection project (High Point Police Department)

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Dear Mr. Sinyangwe:

The High Point Police Department does not maintain a record which tallies the "total number of use of force incidents, separated by year and by type of force used." We also do not keep a record containing statistical tallies of the number of civilian complaints whether for misconduct (to include racial profiling) or for excessive force. Public records law does not require an agency to create a record that does not already exist.

In addition, use of force reports, citizen complaint reports, and documentation created by this agency for both are not a public record under N.C. General Statute 160A-168 because they are created for the purpose of evaluating employees' performance, compliance with the policies of the agency, and if necessary, correction or discipline.

As a result, there are no public records held by this agency meeting your request.

BRIAN T. BEASLEY
POLICE ATTORNEY
[HIGH POINT PATCH]
CITY OF HIGH POINT
POLICE DEPARTMENT

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1009 Leonard Avenue,| High Point, NC 27260

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