Police data collection request (2016-19)

Dear Samuel Sinyangwe:
Your request has been received. Pursuant to MCL 15.235, we will respond to your request within five business days with the first business day beginning the day after the request was submitted.  Your request was submitted to this office on 7/27/2022 and given the reference number P005834-072722 for tracking purposes. Records Requested: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of 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 in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 (for example, information that specifies the number of taser incidents in 2016, the number of taser incidents in 2017, baton incidents in 2016, 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 in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

3. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

6. the total number of officer involved shootings in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, both fatal and non-fatal.

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,

Samuel Sinyangwe

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
Your request will be forwarded to the relevant department(s) to locate the information you seek and to determine the volume and any costs associated with satisfying your request. You will be contacted about the availability and/or provided with copies of the records in question. PLEASE NOTE: The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq, does not require a governmental body to create new information, to do legal research, or to answer questions.

You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below and you will receive an email when your request has been completed.

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August 03, 2022 Re: P005834-072722 Samuel Sinyangwe, Your request made under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was received by the County of Kalamazoo as follows: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of 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 in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 (for example, information that specifies the number of taser incidents in 2016, the number of taser incidents in 2017, baton incidents in 2016, 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 in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

3. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

6. the total number of officer involved shootings in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, both fatal and non-fatal.

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,

Samuel Sinyangwe

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/ Your request is GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART Regarding your request #1-#4, your request is GRANTED. Regarding your request #5, your request is DENIED The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office has searched all applicable documents to complete your request. Regarding your request, your request is DENIED under authority of MCL 15.233 (4) [the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office has no duty to create a new record] for the reason that the Michigan Freedom of Information Act is limited to request for documents. You have not requested documents or you have asked a question for which we do not have documents for. A public body under the Act is not required to create records or answer questions. Regarding your request #6, y our request is DENIED under authority of MCL 15.235(5)(b) [ Records Do Not Exist ] for the reason that the public records do not exist under the name given or by another name reasonably known to the Kalamazoo County.  We recommend you contact the State of Michigan for this report, as it occurred within their jurisdiction. To access the requested report, log in to your account on the public portal. Under "My Request Center" click on "View My Requests."  Then click on "View Files." The released report(s) are available there to be viewed and/or downloaded. This email completes your request. Michigan law provides you the ability to appeal the denial of your request.  Section 10 of the Michigan Freedom of Information Act found at http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-15-240 includes options for appeal of this decision. CERTIFICATION: The undersigned certifies that the records released are a true copy (with redactions where allowed by law) of the originals. Sincerely,
Kam Holtz FOIA Coordinator Office of the Sheriff To monitor the progress or update this request please log into the Public Records Center