Oxford AL Police Department PredPol

Algorithmic Transparency filed this request with the Oxford Police Department of Oxford, AL.
Submitted Oct. 21, 2016
Est. Completion None
Status
Fix Required

Communications

From: Michael Morisy

Subject: None

Mail

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a public records request concerning the software and algorithm used in the PredPol Predictive Policing Software. For reference and help retrieving responsive documents, this program was publicly discussed in the following news articles and segments:

http://www.al.com/news/anniston-gadsden/index.ssf/2015/05/forecasting_felonies_how_oxfor.html

Pursuant to Alabama's Public Records Law, I am requesting the following documents related to the above program:

* Any software and algorithms developed for the implementation of the program. I'm particularly interested in any algorithms that have a public policy outcome, such as providing guidance on a policy or an assessment of an individual. However, I would like any software that was developed by or with, given to, used by, purchased or licensed to this agency for the above implementation of the above referenced program. This would include original source code, any compiled binaries (also known as executables), spreadsheets, program scripts, and other digital materials used to calculate any data in the above program. Collectively, these responsive materials will be referred to as "the software" in the following paragraphs.

* All instructional materials, presentations and presentation materials (including recorded video and audio, PowerPoint files, prepared remarks, and slides formats), and other guidance on the use of "the software." This includes any notes taking during meetings that discussed the use of the software, any explanations (whether internally or externally generated) of how the software works, and any other document that has been used to help explain the use of "the software" to any party, including internal documentation, public relations materials, and executive summaries.

* A copy of any privacy impact assessments, use policies, standard operating procedures, data retention policies, legal opinions, warranties, non-disclosure agreements, contracts, liability waivers, insurance agreements, Requests for Proposals, Responses to Requests for Proposal, Memorandums of Understanding, Letters of Interest, usage policies, or informal agreements that reference "the software" or otherwise guide it use or the relationship between this agency and the provider or developer of the software.

* A copy of any funding opportunity announcements, grant applications and grantor status/progress reports, reports to legislative bodies, annual reports that mention the use of the Software, as well as audit documents, including but not limited to security audits of the software, misuse reports, and reports to oversight bodies.

* For the aspects of the software that require an input, for example, to compute a value, we request a copy of the five most recent sets of data that were used for input, as well as the five most recent outputs of the software, in whatever their native format is. If these inputs or outputs include exempt information, we ask that you exempt only that information which is specifically exempted from law, and provide the other material.

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 would request your response within ten (10) business days.

Sincerely,

Michael Morisy

From: Oxford Police Department

Subject: None

Mail (Postmarked Dec. 6, 2016)

A no responsive documents response.

From: Michael Morisy

Subject: MR#28647-315222 - RE: Public Records Request: Oxford AL Police Department PredPol

Fax

Dear Mr. Allen:

Thank you for your reply to our request under the Alabama Public Records Law for documents concerning the Oxford Police Department's use of PredPol Predictive Policing Software. We understand from your reply that the Police Department does not have any actual software or algorithms. We know that our original request was pretty broad, and perhaps we can helpfully narrow it. What we're really most interested in are any:
- contracts and proposals (but not price information, which can be redacted);
- training data, that is data that the Oxford Police Department provides to PredPol for purposes of developing the algorithm for predict where police services will be needed;
- validity studies;
- correspondence, including emails and other correspondence (a) between the agency and vendor concerning development and implementation of the software and related processes, (b) within the agency concerning the efficacy, reliability, and accuracy of the software and related processes, and c) any other concerns related to the use of the software and related processes; and
- sample output.

All of the above are with respect to PredPol Predictive Policing Software, to assist us in understanding the government policies concerning, and implementation of, this form of policing. If the Oxford Police Department is using PredPol, as we believe it is, see, for example, http://www.al.com/news/anniston-gadsden/index.ssf/2015/05/forecasting_felonies_how_oxfor.html, then it would seem that some of the above documents would be available. Thank you very much with any assistance that you may be able to provide.

Happy Holidays,
Robert Brauneis (working with Michael Morisy)

From: Oxford Police Department

Subject: None

Mail (Postmarked Nov. 29, 2023)

A fix is required to perfect the request. Postmark: November 29, 2023

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