Protest equipment logs
It is a clone of this request.
| Submitted | Aug. 24, 2020 |
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Communications
From: Todd Feathers
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Wisconsin Open Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
1) Copies of all department documents--such as equipment request forms, inventory logs, etc.--detailing the number of chemical gas canisters (tear gas, pepper spray, etc.), rubber bullets, bean bag guns, long range acoustic devices (often known as sound cannons), riot gear (helmets, shields, etc.), flash bang grenades, stun grenades, and other non-lethal projectiles distributed to department personnel between the dates of August 20, 2020 and August 31, 2020.
2) Copies of all department documents detailing the number of chemical gas canisters (tear gas, pepper spray, etc.), rubber bullets, bean bag projectiles, flash bang grenades, stun grenades, and all other lethal and non-lethal projectiles expended between the dates of August 20, 2020 and August 31, 2020.
3) Copies of all use of force reports filed between August 20 and August 31, 2020.
I ask that all fees be waived as I am a journalist (evidence of my work can be found at toddfeathers.com) and I intend to use the requested records to publish articles in the public interest.
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,
Todd Feathers
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Wisconsin Open Records Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 24, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From:
Dear Todd Feathers,
Please let this email serve as acknowledgement that we have received your request for records from our department. We are working on processing each request as quickly as possible.
If you should have any further questions about your records request, please contact Sgt. Jeremy DeWitt at jdewitt@kenosha.org<mailto:jdewitt@kenosha.org> or by telephone, at (262)605-5147.
Sincerely,
Renee Richling
Office Associate II
Kenosha Police Department
(262)605-5212
From: Kenosha Police Department
Dear Todd Feathers,
I am in receipt of your public records request, dated August 24th, 2020. Your request is attached, for reference. Also attached are responsive records related to the request.
Your requests includes a request for all department documents related to non-lethal projectiles and "riot gear" distributed to department personnel between the dates of August 20 and August 31, 2020, all non-lethal projectiles expended between the dates of August 20 and August 31, 2020 and copies of all use of force reports filed between August 20 and August 31, 2020.
A balancing test was conducted in respect to your requests numbered one (1) and two (2) to determine whether permitting full release of information related to the Kenosha Police Department's non-lethal equipment on hand and the number used between the aforementioned dates was completed. After conducting this balancing test it was determined that release of this information will be denied due to the potential of these records being used to impact the safety of law enforcement officers in Kenosha County. The Wisconsin Court of Appeals has indicated that officer safety is of paramount importance and the public's "right to know does not extend to jeopardizing the lives and safety of its police officers".
In regards to request number three (3), copies of all use of force reports filed between August 20 and August 31, 2020, will be located attached to this email.
In accordance with Section 19.35(4) of the Wisconsin Statutes, you are advised that if you consider any portion of this letter to constitute a denial of your request, the denial is subject to review by mandamus pursuant to the provisions of section 19.37(1) of the Wisconsin Statutes, or upon application to the Attorney General or the District Attorney's Office.
Thank you,
Sergeant Jeremy DeWitt
Kenosha Police Department
262-605-5147
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