Four LA County Sheriffs Officials Found Dead in Apparent Suicides
| Tracking # |
23-234481 23-2344 |
| Submitted | Nov. 8, 2023 |
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Communications
From: Christina L. Urso
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I am a journalist, and this request is made as part of news gathering and not for a commercial use.
I request that a copy of the following documents or documents containing the following information be provided to me:
- Any records related to the deaths of four current or former Los Angeles County sheriff's employees that occurred on November 6 and 7, 2023, and are being investigated as suicides, as reported by NBC News and other media outlets.
- Any records related to the identities, ranks, assignments, and years of service of the four deceased individuals.
- Any records related to the causes and circumstances of the deaths, including but not limited to autopsy reports, toxicology reports, suicide notes, incident reports, and investigation reports.
- Any records related to the mental health and wellness programs and resources available to the Los Angeles County sheriff's employees, and the utilization and effectiveness of such programs and resources.
- Any records related to the policies and procedures for preventing and responding to suicides among the Los Angeles County sheriff's employees, and the implementation and evaluation of such policies and procedures.
I request that the records be provided in electronic format, preferably as PDF files, and sent to my email address. If the records cannot be provided in electronic format, I request that they be mailed to my address.
I request a waiver of all fees for this request. Disclosure of the requested information to me is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the government and is not primarily in my commercial interest. The information I seek is of great public interest and concern, as it relates to the well-being and safety of the Los Angeles County sheriff's employees and the public they serve. The information I seek will shed light on the extent and nature of the suicide problem among the Los Angeles County sheriff's employees, and the actions taken by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to address it. The information I seek will also enhance the accountability and transparency of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and inform the public debate and policy making on this important issue.
If my request for a fee waiver is denied, please inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would appreciate your communicating with me by telephone or email, rather than by mail, if you have questions regarding this request.
Please provide the records as promptly as possible, and in any event not later than 20 business days after the date of this request. If access to the records I requested is going to take longer, please contact me so we can work out a reasonable date. If you choose to deny the request, then you are required to respond in writing and state the statutory exception authorizing the withholding of all or part of the public record and the name and title or position of the person responsible for the denial.
Thank you for your assistance on this matter.
Sincerely,
Christina Urso
Independent Journalist
(1) https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/4-current-former-los-angeles-sheriffs-officials-die-apparent-suicides-rcna124121.
(2) https://www.foxnews.com/us/four-los-angeles-sheriffs-officials-found-dead-apparent-suicides.
(3)https://www.aol.com/4-current-former-los-angeles-051317173.html.
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,
Christina L. Urso
From: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Good morning,
LASD Public Records Act Unit has received your PRA request. It has been assigned PRA number 23-2344.
Thank you,
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Public Records Act Unit
(323) 890-5050
DiscoveryUnitPRARequests@lasd.org<mailto:DiscoveryUnitPRARequests@lasd.org>
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From: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Hello,
Attached is an LASD letter regarding your request for records pursuant to the California Public Records Act.
Thank you,
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Public Records Act Unit
(323) 890-5050
DiscoveryUnitPRARequests@lasd.org<mailto:DiscoveryUnitPRARequests@lasd.org>
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From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following California Public Records Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 8, 2023. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #23-234481.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Hello,
Attached is a response from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department regarding your request pursuant to the California Public Records Act.
Thank you,
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Public Records Act Unit
(323) 890-5050
DiscoveryUnitPRARequests@lasd.org<mailto:DiscoveryUnitPRARequests@lasd.org>
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