Police Data Collection Request (2021)
| Submitted | Oct. 6, 2022 |
MuckRock users can file, duplicate, track, and share public records requests like this one. Learn more.
Communications
From: Samuel Sinyangwe
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:
1. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by type of force and year used in 2021 (for example, information that specifies the number of taser incidents in 2021, 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 2021.
3. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained in 2021.
4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained in 2021.
5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained in 2021.
6. the total number of officer involved shootings in 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.
I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.
I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.
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, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Samuel Sinyangwe
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Oct. 6, 2022. 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: Lowell Police Department
Good Morning,
I write in response to your October 6, 2022, public records request. You requested various items in regards to the Lowell Police Department's use of force data and civilian complaints data. Each request will be addressed individually.
1 . the total number of use of force incidents, separated by type of force and year used in 2021 (for example,
information that specifies the number of taser incidents in 2027 , baton incidents in 2021, etc.)
Please see the attached Yearly UOF Report for the total number of UOF incidents in 2021. For the type of force used, please see the attached monthly 2021 reports.
2. the total number of civilian complaints alleging any form of law enforcement misconduct that were
reported and the total number sustained in 2021.
Please see the attachment labeled PSD data 2021
3. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were
reported and the total number sustained in 2021.
Please see the attachment labeled PSD data 2021
4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and
the total number sustained in 2021.
Please see the attachment labeled PSD data 2021
5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total
number sustained in 2021.
Please see the attachment labeled PSD data 2021
6. the total number of officer involved shootings in 2021, both fatal and non-fatal
The Lowell Police Department did not have any officer involved shootings in 2021.
If you wish to appeal the City's response, you may petition the Supervisor of Records. The petition should be sent to the following address:
SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH
DIVISION OF PUBLIC RECORDS
1 ASHBURTON PLACE, RM. 1719
BOSTON, MA 02108
In addition, please be advised that you have the right to seek judicial review of an unfavorable decision by commencing a civil action in the Superior Court under MGL c. 66 section 10A, subsection (c).
Sincerely,
Renee Donohue
Administrative Assistant
Office of Professional Standards
50 Arcand Drive, Lowell, MA 01852
RDonohue@lowellma.gov<mailto:RDonohue@lowellma.gov>
[cid:image001.jpg@01D4FB62.B94F8470]
LOWELL Alive. Unique. Inspiring.
This message and the documents attached to it, if any, are intended only for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is PRIVILEGED and CONFIDENTIAL and/or may contain ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please delete all electronic copies of this message and its attachments, if any, and destroy any hard copies you may have created and notify the Sender via email or telephone.
There are too many files to display on this communication. See all files
Files
pages
