Police data collection request (MA depts) (Oak Bluffs Police Department (Martha's Vineyard))
| Multi Request | Police data collection request (MA depts) |
| Submitted | July 7, 2021 |
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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 reported by the police department, separated by year and by type of force used from 2013-2020 (for example, "27 taser incidents in 2019, 3 baton incidents in 2020, etc.)
2. the total number of civilian complaints alleging any form of law enforcement misconduct that were reported and the total number sustained from 2013-2020, separated by year (for example, 8 complaints in 2016, 2 complaints sustained in 2016, 4 complaints in 2017, 1 complaint sustained in 2017, etc.)
3. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained from 2013-2020, 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 2013-2020, separated by year.
5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained from 2013-2020, separated by year.
6. all information reported to the FBI’s National Use-of-Force Data Collection program to date.
7. a list of all officer involved shootings that were directed at a person from 2013-20 (excluding shootings of animals and accidental discharges that are not directed at a person).
8. the total amount of money paid out in lawsuits and settlements relating to allegations of police misconduct per year from 2013-20. This includes copies of all reports, lists, databases, or individual documents that detail lawsuits brought against the city's police department and the outcome of lawsuits brought against the city's police department including any financial settlement occurring from 2013-20. It should also include any documents that your department submits to local, state, or federal agencies listing the number and/or status of lawsuits brought against the police department. This request includes any documents compiled quarterly, annually, or in other increments as well as any documents or databases that contain responsive information.
If only partial information is available responsive to one or more of these requests, please provide all of the information that is available.
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 July 7, 2021. 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: Oak Bluffs Police Department (Martha's Vineyard)
To whom it may concern,
I've compiled the data you have requested. It is as follows:
2013 we had 5 reported use of force incidents. 3 of them resulted in the use of OC/Pepper spray and 2 involved the use of warning with the Taser (Red-Dot). No complaints were filed as a result of any of these incidents and all were deemed justified after review by a sergeant or myself.
2014 we had 4 reported use of force incidents. 1 was open hand defensive tactics where no intermediate weapon was used. 1 OC/Pepper spray deployment. 1 OC/pepper spray deployment as well as Taser probe deployment. 1 baton strike to the leg. No complaints were filed as a result of any of these incidents and all were deemed justified after review by a sergeant or myself.
2015 we had 6 use of force incidents. 2 Open hand defensive tactics where no intermediate weapon was used. 2 Taser warning (Red-Dot). 1 Taser drive stun. 1 Taser probe deployment. No complaints were filed as a result of any of these incidents and all were deemed justified after review by a sergeant or myself.
2016 we had 1 use of force incident were open hand defensive tactics were utilized. No complaints were filed as a result of any of these incidents and all were deemed justified after review by a sergeant or myself.
2017 we had 2 use of force incidents. 1 Defensive tactics and Taser drive stun was utilized. 1 Taser probe deployment. No complaints were filed as a result of any of these incidents and all were deemed justified after review by a sergeant or myself.
2018 we had 4 use of force incidents. 1 open hand defensive tactics and Taser drive stun utilized. 3 Taser probe deployment utilized. No complaints were filed as a result of any of these incidents and all were deemed justified after review by a sergeant or myself.
2019 we had 1 use of force incident that involved open hand defensive tactics and Taser probe deployment. No complaints were filed as a result of any of these incidents and all were deemed justified after review by a sergeant or myself.
2020 we had no reports involving use of force.
During the period of 2013-2020 we had no complaints filed by civilians alleging biased policing or racial profiling.
During the period of 2013-2020 we had no civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct by any employees of this agency.
During the period of 2013-2020 we have not reported to the FBI's national use of force database.
During the period of 2013-2020 we had no officer involved shootings.
During the period of 2013-2020 we had no lawsuits or settlements relating to police misconduct.
If you have any questions or concerns let me know.
Sincerely,
Lt. Timothy P. Williamson
Files
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