MPIA Request for Information Re: Your Agency's Use of Facial Recognition Software (Howard County Sheriff)

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act, I am hereby requesting access to the records listed below and held by the Howard County Sheriff:

- A list of every instance in which the Howard County Sheriff has used facial recognition software – including but not limited to the Thales Cogent Mugshot System (CMS) – since January 1, 2022;

- A list of all Facial Recognition (FR) Record Numbers and/or CMS Transaction Numbers generated since January 1, 2022;

- A list of all facial recognition software systems used by the Howard County Sheriff since January 1, 2022;

- Contracts between the Howard County Sheriff and any facial recognition software companies;

- Users manuals for all facial recognition software used by the Howard County Sheriff;

- The total number of Facial Recognition Match Reports generated since January 1, 2022;

- The total number of positive facial recognition results generated since January 1, 2022;

- The total number of instances in which the Howard County Sheriff identified a suspect or person of interest using facial recognition software since January 1, 2022;

- A list of all social media platforms used by the Howard County Sheriff in conjunction with facial recognition software;

- All the Howard County Sheriff policies and procedures pertaining to the use of facial recognition software;

- Names of all individuals employed or contracted by the Howard County Sheriff who are trained in the use of facial recognition software;

- A description of the Howard County Sheriff's facial recognition training requirements.

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. Alternatively, please consider waiving any fees, pursuant to § 4-206(e)(2)(ii) of the General Provisions Article, as this request is on behalf of individuals served by the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, a state government agency, which solely serves indigent citizens of Maryland. As a result, my request for the above-listed public records is in the public interest. I would prefer the request be 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 calendar days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Deborah Katz Levi
Director of Special Litigation
Maryland Office of the Public Defender
(443) 272-1068