Palantir Technologies reports and documents

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the California Public Records Act (California Government Code §§ 6250), I hereby request the following records:

A copy of all contracts with Palantir Technologies Inc, aka Palantir.
Any research, interviews, reports or analysis generated prior to Los Angeles Police Department selecting Palantir as a vendor.
Any audits, progress statements, performance assessments, or internal or external reports concerning Palantir’s software, hardware or services for Los Angeles Police Department.
Any summary documents detailing annual payments to Palantir.

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 calendar days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Mark Harris

Dear Mr Clifton,

Thank you for this partial response.

From the response, it appears that LAPD does not, and did not, have any contracts with Palantir.

However, the LAPD does and did use the system, as evidenced by public documents from within the department (eg http://www.lapdpolicecom.lacity.org/031213/BPC_13-0088.pdf http://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2013/13-0605_misc_11-4-2014.pdf) and promotional videos featuring department personnel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ-u7yDwC6g )

In 2013, over 1500 officers had been trained to use the system http://www.smartpolicinginitiative.com/sites/all/files/webinars/SPI%20Smart%20Policing%20Officer%20Webinar%20Oct%202013%20FINAL.pdf

So, I would request that you continue with the other half of my request - namely " any audits, progress statements, performance assessments, or internal or external reports concerning Palantir's software, hardware or services for LAPD"

Separately, I will try to discover how LAPD can use Palantir's software, hardware and services without having a contract with the company.

best

Mark

Also, I note this proposed budget for 2017/8, sent on November 16, 2016 from Chief Beck to the Honorable Board of Police Commissioners

http://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2013/13-0605_misc_11-4-2014.pdf

Palantir Contractual Commitment: Funding in the amount of $3,300,000 is requested to increase the base budget appropriated to meet the contractual commitment with Palantir. LAPD officers, investigators, and decision makers utilize the Palantir platform to quickly find connections ....

Which explicitly states a contractual commitment between the department and Palantir.

best

Mark

Also, I note this proposed budget for 2017/8, sent on November 16, 2016 from Chief Beck to the Honorable Board of Police Commissioners

http://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2013/13-0605_misc_11-4-2014.pdf

Palantir Contractual Commitment: Funding in the amount of $3,300,000 is requested to increase the base budget appropriated to meet the contractual commitment with Palantir. LAPD officers, investigators, and decision makers utilize the Palantir platform to quickly find connections ....

Which explicitly states a contractual commitment between the department and Palantir.

best

Mark

Thank you for the partial response.

From the response, you claim that LAPD does not, and did not, have any contracts with Palantir.

However, the LAPD does and did use the system, as evidenced by public documents from within the department (eg http://www.lapdpolicecom.lacity.org/031213/BPC_13-0088.pdf http://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2013/13-0605_misc_11-4-2014.pdf) and promotional videos featuring department personnel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ-u7yDwC6g )

In 2013, over 1500 officers had been trained to use the system http://www.smartpolicinginitiative.com/sites/all/files/webinars/SPI%20Smart%20Policing%20Officer%20Webinar%20Oct%202013%20FINAL.pdf

So, I would request that you continue with the other half of my request - namely " any audits, progress statements, performance assessments, or internal or external reports concerning Palantir's software, hardware or services for LAPD"

Also, note this proposed budget for 2017/8, sent on November 16, 2016 from Chief Beck to the Honorable Board of Police Commissioners

http://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2013/13-0605_misc_11-4-2014.pdf

Palantir Contractual Commitment: Funding in the amount of $3,300,000 is requested to increase the base budget appropriated to meet the contractual commitment with Palantir. LAPD officers, investigators, and decision makers utilize the Palantir platform to quickly find connections ....

Which explicitly states a contractual commitment between the department and Palantir.

I am thus appealing the department's response.

best

Mark

To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following request, copied below. 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.