Police Data Collection Request (2020-2021)

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 7/2/2022 and given the reference number P005565-070222 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 2020 and 2021 (for example, information that specifies the number of taser incidents in 2020, the number of taser incidents in 2021, baton incidents in 2020, baton incidents in 2021, etc.)

2. the total number of civilian complaints alleging any form of law enforcement misconduct that were reported and the total number sustained in 2020 and 2021.

3. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained in 2020 and 2021.

4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained in 2020 and 2021.

5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained in 2020 and 2021.

6. the total number of officer involved shootings in 2020 and 2021, both fatal and non-fatal.

When available, I would appreciate being sent individualized data for each item in this request in spreadsheet format. If individualized data are unavailable, please send information that includes aggregate statistics for the item instead.

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.

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.

--- Please respond above this line ---

Dear Samuel Sinyangwe, RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST of July 02, 2022, Reference # P005565-070222. e have reviewed your request submitted pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act received by Kalamazoo County as: “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 2020 and 2021 (for example, information that specifies the number of taser incidents in 2020, the number of taser incidents in 2021, baton incidents in 2020, baton incidents in 2021, etc.)

2. the total number of civilian complaints alleging any form of law enforcement misconduct that were reported and the total number sustained in 2020 and 2021.

3. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained in 2020 and 2021.

4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained in 2020 and 2021.

5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained in 2020 and 2021.

6. the total number of officer involved shootings in 2020 and 2021, both fatal and non-fatal.

When available, I would appreciate being sent individualized data for each item in this request in spreadsheet format. If individualized data are unavailable, please send information that includes aggregate statistics for the item instead.

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.

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/ In order to determine the extent of any responsive records, we are extending the time for responding to your request by ten (10) business days, as permitted under MCL 15.235, Section 5(2)(d). Therefore, our response will be sent to you on or before July 27, 2022. Sincerely, Kam Holtz FOIA Coordinator Office of the Sheriff

--- Please respond above this line ---

Dear Samuel Sinyangwe, RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST of July 02, 2022, Reference # P005565-070222. We have reviewed your request submitted pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act received by Kalamazoo County as: “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 2020 and 2021 (for example, information that specifies the number of taser incidents in 2020, the number of taser incidents in 2021, baton incidents in 2020, baton incidents in 2021, etc.)

2. the total number of civilian complaints alleging any form of law enforcement misconduct that were reported and the total number sustained in 2020 and 2021.

3. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained in 2020 and 2021.

4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained in 2020 and 2021.

5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained in 2020 and 2021.

6. the total number of officer involved shootings in 2020 and 2021, both fatal and non-fatal.

When available, I would appreciate being sent individualized data for each item in this request in spreadsheet format. If individualized data are unavailable, please send information that includes aggregate statistics for the item instead.

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.

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/ Regarding your request #1-#4, your request is GRANTED. To access the requested record(s), 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 record(s) are available there to be viewed and/or downloaded. This email completes your request. CERTIFICATION: The undersigned certifies that the records released are a true copy of the originals. 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. Sincerely, Kam Holtz FOIA Coordinator Office of the Sheriff To monitor the progress or update this request please log into the Public Records Center