Police data collection project (Kent Police Department)

Dear Samuel Sinyangwe: Thank you
for your interest in public records of the City of Kent. Your request has been
received and is being processed. Your request was received in this office on
7/6/2020 and given the reference number W025671-070620
for tracking purposes. Pursuant to RCW 42.56, this response acknowledges receipt of your request for
public records. The City estimates  it will provide a further response
within 5 business days with a determination regarding disclosure, denial, or if
an exemption to disclosure can be established. The City reserves the right to
extend this time frame if necessary.
Records Requested: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Washington Public Records Act, 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 5 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Samuel Sinyangwe

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/?url_auth_token=AAAU_EBsm5JvqMWU9Tfg_6vUwAc%3A1jsg85%3AyxxQHFcuc2VWGzP9b5sB5r6dLw8&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Fkent-police-department-9453%252Fpolice-data-collection-project-kent-police-department-97826%252F%253Femail%253Dehemmen%252540KentWA.gov Your
request will be forwarded to the relevant city department(s) to locate the
records you seek, and then determine the volume and any costs associated with
satisfying your request.  The City will contact you about the availability
of the records or provide copies of the records responsive to your request.
You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below.  You will
receive an email notification when your request has been completed. Again,
thank you for using the Public Records Center. City of Kent

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City Clerk Kimberley A. Komoto City Clerk 220 4th Avenue South Kent, WA 98032 Fax: 253-856-6725 PHONE:  253-856-5725
07/13/2020 Samuel Sinyangwe MuckRock News DEPT MR 97826 Somerville, MA 02144 Re: Public Records Request, dated 7/6/2020 File #W025671-070620 for Other Public Records Matter – Extension of Time Needed to Respond Dear Samuel Sinyangwe:
On 7/6/2020, you submitted a public records request to the City of Kent wherein you sought records for:
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 The City advised you it anticipated responding to your request within 5 business days. The City now needs  to extend this estimate; and currently estimates it will be able to provide responsive records, either on an installment basis or in total in approximately 20 business days or less.
This additional time is necessary due to current staffing levels, current volume of public record requests received; locating and assembling the requested records; if necessary notifying any third parties who may be affected by the request; and to determine whether any of the information contained within the requested records is exempt from disclosure, in whole or in part. If you have any questions, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 253-856-5725. Thank you. Sincerely, Tiffany Alcorn Tiffany Alcorn Public Disclosure Administrator City of Kent Administration
Derek Matheson, CAO

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City Clerk Kimberley A. Komoto City Clerk 220 4th Avenue South Kent, WA 98032 Fax: 253-856-6725 PHONE:  253-856-5725
08/10/2020 Samuel Sinyangwe MuckRock News DEPT MR 97826 Somerville, MA 02144 Re: Public Records Request, dated 7/6/2020 File #W025671-070620 for Other Public Records Matter – Installment # 1 - Records Available; Installment # - Additional Time Needed to Respond Dear Samuel Sinyangwe:
On 7/6/2020, you submitted a public records request to the City of Kent wherein you sought records for Other Public Records. The City of Kent has completed Installment #1 of records relating to the above-referenced public records request, subject to any subsequent clarification that may have been obtained.
The fee to obtain copies of the responsive records has been waived.
The records are available at the City’s on-line Public Records Center.  You may access the records by following the below link and instructions: 1. 2. Click on "My Request Center" 3. Click on "View My Requests" 4. Login to your account, click "Submit" 5. Click on the File # for this request. 6. The electronic records are available in the "Files" window. In accordance with the City's Public Records Request Policy located on the City's website; copied records, or records gathered for inspection, will be available to the requester for 30 calendar days from the date of the City's notification to the requester that the records are available.  If a requester fails to retrieve or inspect the responsive records within that 30-day period, the records request will be deemed abandoned, the records will be returned to the originating department, and the City will close the request. If the records were produced as an installment response under section 1.5.3.4.C, the requester's failure to retrieve or inspect an installment will result in the City discontinuing its search for any remaining records, closing the entire records request. We are continuing to process responsive records for Installment #2. The City currently estimates it will be able to provide responsive records, either on an installment basis or in total in approximately 25 business days or less. If you are not able to access the records at the Public Records Center, or if you have any questions, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 253-856-5725.
Thank you. Sincerely, Tiffany Alcorn Tiffany Alcorn Public Disclosure Administrator
City of Kent Administration
Derek Matheson, CAO

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City Clerk Kimberley A. Komoto City Clerk 220 4th Avenue South Kent, WA 98032 Fax: 253-856-6725 PHONE:  253-856-5725
09/15/2020 Samuel Sinyangwe MuckRock News DEPT MR 97826 Somerville, MA 02144 Re: Public Records Request, dated 7/6/2020 File #W025671-070620 for Other Public Records Matter – Installment #2 - Records Available; Installment # 3 - Additional Time Needed to Respond Dear Samuel Sinyangwe:
On 7/6/2020, you submitted a public records request to the City of Kent wherein you sought records for: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Washington Public Records Act, 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 5 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Samuel Sinyangwe

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/?url_auth_token=AAAU_EBsm5JvqMWU9Tfg_6vUwAc%3A1jsg85%3AyxxQHFcuc2VWGzP9b5sB5r6dLw8&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Fkent-police-department-9453%252Fpolice-data-collection-project-kent-police-department-97826%252F%253Femail%253Dehemmen%252540KentWA.gov The City of Kent has completed Installment #2 of records relating to the above-referenced public records request, subject to any subsequent clarification that may have been obtained.
The fee to obtain copies of the responsive records has been waived.
The records are available at the City’s on-line Public Records Center.  You may access the records by following the below link and instructions: 1. https://www.kentwa.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/public-records-center 2. Click on "My Request Center" 3. Click on "View My Requests" 4. Login to your account, click "Submit" 5. Click on the File # for this request. 6. The electronic records are available in the "Files" window. In accordance with the City's Public Records Request Policy located on the City's website; copied records, or records gathered for inspection, will be available to the requester for 30 calendar days from the date of the City's notification to the requester that the records are available.  If a requester fails to retrieve or inspect the responsive records within that 30-day period, the records request will be deemed abandoned, the records will be returned to the originating department, and the City will close the request. If the records were produced as an installment response under section 1.5.3.4.C, the requester's failure to retrieve or inspect an installment will result in the City discontinuing its search for any remaining records, closing the entire records request. We are continuing to process responsive records for Installment #3 . The City currently estimates it will be able to provide responsive records, either on an installment basis or in total in approximately 25 business days or less.
If you are not able to access the records at the Public Records Center, or if you have any questions, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 253-856-5725.
Thank you. Sincerely, Tiffany Alcorn Tiffany Alcorn Public Disclosure Administrator
City of Kent Administration
Derek Matheson, CAO

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City Clerk Kimberley A. Komoto City Clerk 220 4th Avenue South Kent, WA 98032 Fax: 253-856-6725 PHONE:  253-856-5725
10/20/2020 Samuel Sinyangwe MuckRock News DEPT MR 97826 Somerville, MA 02144 Re: Public Records Request, dated 7/6/2020 File #W025671-070620 for Other Public Records Matter – Installment #3 - Records Available; Installment # 4 - Additional Time Needed to Respond Dear Samuel Sinyangwe:
On 7/6/2020, you submitted a public records request to the City of Kent wherein you sought records for Other Public Records. The City of Kent has completed Installment #3 of records relating to the above-referenced public records request, subject to any subsequent clarification that may have been obtained.
The fee to obtain copies of the responsive records has been waived.
The records are available at the City’s on-line Public Records Center.  You may access the records by following the below link and instructions: 1. https://www.kentwa.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/public-records-center 2. Click on "My Request Center" 3. Click on "View My Requests" 4. Login to your account, click "Submit" 5. Click on the File # for this request. 6. The electronic records are available in the "Files" window. In accordance with the City's Public Records Request Policy located on the City's website; copied records, or records gathered for inspection, will be available to the requester for 30 calendar days from the date of the City's notification to the requester that the records are available.  If a requester fails to retrieve or inspect the responsive records within that 30-day period, the records request will be deemed abandoned, the records will be returned to the originating department, and the City will close the request. If the records were produced as an installment response under section 1.5.3.4.C, the requester's failure to retrieve or inspect an installment will result in the City discontinuing its search for any remaining records, closing the entire records request. We are continuing to process responsive records for Installment #4 . The City currently estimates it will be able to provide responsive records, either on an installment basis or in total in approximately 15 business days or less.
If you are not able to access the records at the Public Records Center, or if you have any questions, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 253-856-5725.
Thank you. Sincerely, Tiffany Alcorn Tiffany Alcorn Public Disclosure Administrator
City of Kent Administration
Derek Matheson, CAO

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City Clerk Kimberley A. Komoto City Clerk 220 4th Avenue South Kent, WA 98032 Fax: 253-856-6725 PHONE:  253-856-5725
11/06/2020 Samuel Sinyangwe MuckRock News DEPT MR 97826 Somerville, MA 02144 Re: Public Records Request, dated 7/6/2020 File #W025671-070620 for Other Public Records Matter – Installment (#4)/Final - Full Response Completed, Fees Due Dear Samuel Sinyangwe:
On 7/6/2020, you submitted a public records request to the City of Kent wherein you sought records for: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Washington Public Records Act, 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.
As of 11/06/2020 the City has made available the final installment of records responsive to your request. In producing these records, the City made a reasonable search to locate responsive records based on the description you provided in your request. There is no year end report for 2016 on file, copies of each use of force form and all supervisor citizen contact summaries are being provided in lieu of the year end report provided for the other years requested. The fee to obtain copies of the responsive records is:

Fee Description
Cost
Quantity
Total

Scanning per page (Supervisor Citizen Contact Summaries were in paper format)
.10
134
$13.40

Total Due
$13.40 You may make your payment by check, payable to the “Kent City Treasurer,” or by credit card. Credit card payments must be made in person or over the phone to City of Kent customer service at 253-856-5201; please note a fee may be added to credit or debit card payments.  If mailing payment, please address your envelope to my attention in the City Clerk’s Office. Payment must be received within 30 calendar days from the date of this letter. If payment is not received within 30 calendar days, the City will close your request. Once the fee is paid and responsive records have been sent, the City will be closing its file. If you have any questions, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 253-856-5725. Thank you. Sincerely, Tiffany Alcorn Tiffany Alcorn Public Disclosure Administrator City of Kent Administration
Derek Matheson, CAO

Attachments:
iNovah_Receipt.pdf (https://u8387795.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=nZGH0ylxadMp5hTpNkeAFmPDkQ8qtzWCtL0A-2FLQAdazelv1Xs77vYwzoMexntWa-2BNqq3Yiq-2Fr92AtTUt26MRrChXXV8Sm2oblqTSod8dTcJP13Qtzxj4WopjGOV49LCyN82JsmQxhY6539iOqCFvsS0B8jwwCSlBfmWu5QW7rFfbV6G79yRymdvykaYG3s4ij14mUzDc5UScWYLAJlHdNvu9yu-2BZ2-2BjHn0VP0JEudpM-3DAmJM_ijmHzW-2FE8-2BI21LwpdeHOrZtFQ0pza3i81Z9rxXoBKmUVc5WZskf7qotLuYCLHzixlNCeJ9s0W1S5LIk-2Ff5hQNIOFreqDdLx10-2FgCUC8stTGJj1oj6bjvXP0-2By-2FNy4qKCbrhf0Ec2t1r2uc9MQdrGk-2BnxwkIF66FgKH571NsYMo1aW52Iptth7BMvkufnwlosF5Iychanv0LjKAw5qQPfqzpKGAal7HAxsQuhqA3-2BxZQGReq6e66FiKG7nu0jPfT5jodAySd-2FL0Orc6gigTC80Ev6kaw2zqqjZZWJ-2FAzAXTvNmhsmLbt9-2FF0i2ZPfsdwIQGbEAg7kgKCbHzgJUGZIi4WD7sI4Z6dMCMlIbILAUdJErSqb8UoikqlYf6w0hyurWMABOQYp7qV7AMxp5qxyzg-3D-3D)

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11/17/2020 Dear Samuel Sinyangwe: Thank you for payment; the responsive records for File #W025671-070620 are now available at the City’s on-line Public Records Center.  You may access the records by following the below link and instructions: 1. https://www.kentwa.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/public-records-center 2. Click on "My Request Center" 3. Click on "View My Requests" 4. Login to your account, click "Submit" 5. Click on the File # for this request. 6. The electronic records are available in the "Files" window If you are not able to access the records at the Public Records Center, or if you have any questions, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 253-856-5725. Thank you. Tiffany Alcorn Tiffany Alcorn, Public Disclosure Administrator