FOIA - #BlackLivesMatter - PD comms during protests (Seattle Police Department)

At this time, the Seattle Police Department’s Legal Unit is operating under an extreme backlog of requests, staffing shortages, the redeployment of supporting units to SPD’s frontline COVID-19 response, and, pursuant to CDC recommendations and City direction, reassignment to remote access. For these reasons, our ability to process new requests is substantially limited; we are currently estimating minimum response timelines, depending on the volume and complexity of requests, in excess of 6-12 months. Current requests should likewise anticipate that it will take additional time to process records and respond. We apologize for any inconvenience, and deeply appreciate your understanding as we all pull together, in the face of this unprecedented, pandemic public crisis, to manage as best we can our business operations.

Dear J Ader:

Thank you for using the Seattle Police Public Records Request Center. (https://u8387795.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=nZGH0ylxadMp5hTpNkeAFs5-2B0tNFpOmK4x7yiv5okBWV7cNXawYhgRb15ZYq812sjosyu25jaqNbkhZ-2FlHCSr2hrOgTti4FxZ0mWrVq647Y-3Dtbdx_t5pvWvJxMKacDNO2PNm-2BFhnjJCIeq-2FC5ZNudZ5aP-2BZRH3XAss7dW8j9QP6r13KTZ2GoJpl2Mx3Zlw1tgJi3X6bi8DB2-2FMndGH3JuQZ7eGzi3gPl57d7oE8YOt8sQ2PKQ9GigniGCgMqLnVtMSb5kY9uo9WgAcio-2FI-2BOPdbZbDeiNPYE5EMHIEQzcJvMUSRG1G5qu0SpiDushZhIM2qdS2nnErPj96vXTu76XHhYxku-2BDuESQxNcLHlzUU381qgq3i4xwXiVla8c-2Bcy9c9mZtSkEiar-2FVqlOK7nhKWvwE8xpzdO3edRYFw8iCEAMdIN8ilGFYMdVGXdxTKY-2FbVDyq6Jct7nQhegEhw7wEiL9k94dxwyFPEiOnc4PzzU4He8wv)

Your request was received on June 15, 2020and the reference number is P059452-061520.

If the City's representative entered your request into the system and you didn't specifically register:

* Access the Police Public Records Request Center (https://u8387795.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=nZGH0ylxadMp5hTpNkeAFs5-2B0tNFpOmK4x7yiv5okBWV7cNXawYhgRb15ZYq812sjosyu25jaqNbkhZ-2FlHCSr2hrOgTti4FxZ0mWrVq647Y-3D_BxS_t5pvWvJxMKacDNO2PNm-2BFhnjJCIeq-2FC5ZNudZ5aP-2BZRH3XAss7dW8j9QP6r13KTZ2GoJpl2Mx3Zlw1tgJi3X6bi8DB2-2FMndGH3JuQZ7eGzi3gPl57d7oE8YOt8sQ2PKQ9GigniGCgMqLnVtMSb5kY9uo9WgAcio-2FI-2BOPdbZbDeiNPYE5EMHIEQzcJvMUSRG1G5qu0SpiDushZhIM2qdS2nnErPj96vXTu76XHhYxku-2BDuESQxNcLHlzUU381qgq3cIKz4GvujH7AUUJTG63Tyq0jVhaQsz8FHCtsSkLjMugl-2FvMPHroigefn4-2B-2FRj-2Fwshyg1MdGnp4keUcSNJyTyOOd3HIQXl2WtWJ9RuQF8EX9qkRky-2FAigxVRweVLr1b7i)
* Access the "My Records Request Center"
* Access the "View My Requests"
* Enter the E-Mail below (should be the E-Mail you gave the representative)
* At the login prompt click the forgotten password link
* You will be sent a temporary password to login and then change to a permanent password
Please use the center to track the progress of your requests, pay for your requests online, and download your records!

Here is your login: requests@muckrock.com
Request Summary Incident Information (if provided):

* Incident Number:
* Incident Date:
* Incident Time:
* Incident Location:
* Investigating Officers:
Request Description and Details (as provided):

* Overall Description:
To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Washington Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:

All internal notes, memos, bulletins, alerts, and emails created and/or received from 5/27/2020 to 6/12/2020 containing/mentioning any of the following terms:

- #ICantBreathe
- Icantbreathe
- I Can't Breathe
- George Floyd
- #GeorgeFloyd
- Derek Chauvin
- #DerekChauvin
- #JusticeforFloyd
- Justice for Floyd
- #JusticeforGeorge
- #BlackLivesMatter
- #BLM
- Black Lives Matter

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 5 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

J Ader

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://www.muckrock.com/

06/16/2020

J Ader
requests@muckrock.com

RE: Public Disclosure Request #: P059452-061520

Dear J Ader,

This communication is in response to your public disclosure request.

The purpose of this correspondence is to provide you a status update. Your request status is: Assigned.

If you have any questions, you may send messages using the Police Records Request Center or call the Public Disclosure Desk at 206-684-5481.
Please add seattle@mycusthelp.net to your E-mail contacts/address book to ensure delivery of the record center E-mails to your Inbox. (mailto:seattle@mycusthelp.net)

This is an auto-generated email and has originated from an unmonitored email account. Please DO NOT REPLY.

SPD receives between 7000 and 8000 public records requests annually and is processing between 1400 to 1500 open requests at a time. This may result in a slower than anticipated response to your request. Thank you for your patience.

06/22/2020

J Ader
requests@muckrock.com

RE:  Public Disclosure Request#: P059452-061520

Dear J Ader,

This communication is in response to your public disclosure request.


The purpose of this correspondence is to provide you a status update.  Your request status is:  Being Researched/Reviewed.

If you have any questions, you may send messages using the Police Records Request Center or call the Public Disclosure Desk at 206-684-5481.


Please add seattle@mycusthelp.net to your E-mail contacts/address book to ensure delivery of the record center E-mails to your Inbox.

This is an auto-generated email and has originated from an unmonitored email account. Please DO NOT REPLY.

SPD receives between 7000 and 8000 public records requests annually and is processing between 1400 to 1500 open requests at a time. This may result in a slower than anticipated response to your request. Thank you for your patience.

--- Please respond above this line ---

06/22/2020

J Ader
requests@muckrock.com

RE: Public Disclosure Request#: P059452-061520

Dear J Ader,

This communication is in response to your public disclosure request received on June 15, 2020.
Dear J,
This is to update you regarding SPD’s response to your multiple public records requests. You currently have 5 open requests for records, reference numbers:

P059100-060920

P059452-061520

P059453-061620

P059454-061620

P059456-061620
The Washington Public Records Act (PRA) states that agencies shall adopt and enforce reasonable rules and regulations to provide full public access to public records, to protect public records from damage or disorganization, and to prevent excessive interference with other essential functions of the agency, the office of the secretary of the senate, or the office of the chief clerk of the house of representatives. Such rules and regulations shall provide for the fullest assistance to inquirers and the most timely possible action on requests for information. RCW 42.56.100. Consistent with the PRA, the City of Seattle has adopted Multi-Departmental Administrative Rule MDAR 17-0002, Citywide Policy on Processing Public Disclosure Requests: http://clerk.seattle.gov/~scripts/nph-brs.exe?s1=mdar&s3=&s2=&s4=&Sect4=AND&l=200&Sect2=THESON&Sect3=PLURON&Sect5=CFCF1&Sect6=HITOFF&d=CFCF&p=1&u=%2F~public%2Fcfcf1.htm&r=1&f=G (https://u8387795.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=NI-2FsZWLMXKc2GHHWcbjdseQ-2By21e1RgUfmcby0RBOrCrHB3AqZRurtlmESYB1dfD3m3ZcvKpIIE9-2BKJL5zfHfmkw0u5iw7Op-2FxidjCclTmzsGDpfqqGwm5NUl5BwHIN1gnBRyiFI9iWQFP1V-2Bd8VpmS9MTEBpHA0ckg74-2BHYE8gcw0waIKxp6wYsC0RV2u8UqTnHPwlmDyOddY8VMT-2BSlIWt8cB6wjTzHasrpsZsiwAklazFTAG0hHKaEeNxDIXtXRKJ_t5pvWvJxMKacDNO2PNm-2BFhnjJCIeq-2FC5ZNudZ5aP-2BZRH3XAss7dW8j9QP6r13KTZ2GoJpl2Mx3Zlw1tgJi3X6Q4KWjCP4k4LKDiGdqCh4a-2FVVT2F6oeVgG-2B449f22-2BKWIR0Uzh8FLFPAoUzSpatT-2FnplCo3pZGYjxrxYn11pswdZjAQLLul7cAwuu-2Fc-2BIfoVmTT8-2BmC8PJ8iwBevn-2FMiq3Biv-2BJMh6xY2UiY-2FZwpKRWYkrVH4DLXuoYcsQtHPf4rwGOak-2FQWSrip2Klhs4-2Bs-2B-2F97fGHY-2FM-2ByOCySguPgVSbQVc1IIeZg4E4j-2FVfjO9IOue9He9M9mi6mh3aiD2pW7g-2BTpxSysxrbWCiYY7xMQvu1zY9y1B8HYOODlpPH8cqT) In order to provide fullest assistance to all requesters, to prevent damage to or disorganization of City records or excessive interference with other essential City functions, or to assure that the appropriate amount of City time and resources will be fairly allocated among all requests and requesters, City rules give a Public Disclosure Officer (PDO) the discretion to group multiple requests received from the same requester or similar requests from multiple requesters and to process the requests together as a group. In addition, City rules allow a PDO to allocate specific amounts of time and resources to responding to a request, whether individual or grouped, and/or to a particular requester. This may include but is not limited to allocating a specific number of hours per week or month to be spent by PDO staff and/or employees for whom responding to records requests is not among their primary assigned duties.
SPD will group and process your requests as follows:

1. P059100-060920

2. P059452-061520

3. P059453-061620

4. P059454-061620

5. P059456-061620

If you submit additional requests, we will group them with any remaining open requests and handle them as a single request as well. We will finish processing P059100-060920, then we will continue processing P059452-061520, and so on until all your requests are complete. If you would like to re-prioritize your requests, please let me know within 7 calendar days.
At this time, we estimate that we will provide the 1st installment of records to P059100-060920 on or about 10/16/2020. All other grouped PDRs will be pushed out until 02/01/2021. We will update each grouped PDR due date as we begin processing it. The City may revise its estimate upon further review or changed circumstances. Please note: If an installment is not paid for within 30 days, the Department will consider all the requests in the group abandoned and will close all requests.
Thank you,
Larissa Malanca

If you have any questions, you may send a message using the Police Records Request Center or call the Public Disclosure Desk at 206-684-5481.

Sincerely,
Larissa Malanca
Seattle Police Department
Legal Unit

SPD receives between 7000 and 8000 public records requests annually and is processing between 1400 to 1500 open requests at a time. This may result in a slower than anticipated response to your request. Thank you for your patience.

As a reminder you can login at the Police Records Request Center where you can access Police online information, manage your profile, submit record requests, track your request status, receive and send messages, make payments, view frequently asked questions, and download your records.
Please add seattle@mycusthelp.net to your E-mail contacts/address book to ensure delivery of the record center E-mails to your Inbox. (mailto:seattle@mycusthelp.net)

--- Please respond above this line ---

10/28/2020

J Ader
requests@muckrock.com

RE: Public Disclosure Request#: P059452-061520

Dear J Ader,

This communication is in response to your public disclosure request received on June 15, 2020.
Dear J Ader,
SPD has completed your request PDR No. P059100-060920 and is beginning research and review of this request in your group of requests. Due to our department’s high volume of requests, staffing shortages, and remote reassignment due to Covid-19, requests may incur an unanticipated delay in response. Your next response, update, or installment is estimated to be ready on or about 12/15/2020.
The order of your group of open requests is as follows:
1. P059452-061520
2. P059453-061620
3. P059454-061620
4. P059456-061620

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.
Lara Malanca

If you have any questions, you may send a message using the Police Records Request Center or call the Public Disclosure Desk at 206-684-5481.

Sincerely,
Larissa Malanca
Seattle Police Department
Legal Unit

SPD receives between 7000 and 8000 public records requests annually and is processing more than 2000 open requests at a time. This may result in a slower than anticipated response to your request. Thank you for your patience.

As a reminder you can login at the Police Records Request Center where you can access Police online information, manage your profile, submit record requests, track your request status, receive and send messages, make payments, view frequently asked questions, and download your records.
Please add seattle@mycusthelp.net to your E-mail contacts/address book to ensure delivery of the record center E-mails to your Inbox. (mailto:seattle@mycusthelp.net)

--- Please respond above this line ---

12/24/2020

J Ader
requests@muckrock.com

RE: Public Disclosure Request#: P059452-061520

Dear J Ader,

This communication is in response to your public disclosure request received on June 15, 2020.
Dear J Ader,
Additional time is needed to process your request. Due to our department’s high volume of requests, staffing shortages, and remote reassignment due to Covid-19, requests may incur an unanticipated delay in response. Your next response, update, or installment is estimated to be ready on or about 01/22/2021.
Thank you,
Lara

If you have any questions, you may send a message using the Police Records Request Center or call the Public Disclosure Desk at 206-684-5481.

Sincerely,
Larissa Malanca
Seattle Police Department
Legal Unit

SPD receives between 7000 and 8000 public records requests annually and is processing more than 2000 open requests at a time. This may result in a slower than anticipated response to your request. Thank you for your patience.

As a reminder you can login at the Police Records Request Center where you can access Police online information, manage your profile, submit record requests, track your request status, receive and send messages, make payments, view frequently asked questions, and download your records.
Please add seattle@mycusthelp.net to your E-mail contacts/address book to ensure delivery of the record center E-mails to your Inbox. (mailto:seattle@mycusthelp.net)

This email is in further response to your public disclosure records request P059452-061520. The Seattle Police Department has records ready to be released pending payment.

You have 30 days from today's date to pay for your records. If the City does not receive your payment within this time period, your request will be considered abandoned, and you will need to submit a new request.
SPD strongly encourages online payments during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

To pay online, please follow these steps:

* Navigate to the Public Records Request Center.
* Select 'My Records Request Center'.
* Select 'View My Requests'. You may be asked to login.
* Find this request: P059452-061520.
* Select the 'View Invoices' button.

* Opens a pop-up window showing your invoice: INV21-P059452-1.
* Click on the invoice and then the 'Pay Now' button.
* Continue processing your payment.
* Select 'Done'.
* Once the payment process is done, you are returned to the Public Records Request Center.
* After your payment is successful you will receive an email from our payments center. After we receive your payment through the Police Records Request Center Secure Payments, the Public Disclosure Unit will release your records within one to two business days and send you a notice with instructions on how to download the records.
Please add seattle@mycusthelp.net to your E-mail contacts/address book to ensure delivery of the record center E-mails to your Inbox. (mailto:seattle@mycusthelp.net)

This is an auto-generated email and has originated from an unmonitored email account. Please DO NOT REPLY.

--- Please respond above this line ---

03/16/2021

J Ader
requests@muckrock.com

RE: Public Disclosure Request#: P059452-061520

Dear J Ader,

This communication is in response to your public disclosure request received on June 15, 2020.
Hello,
We have not received payment for your last installment for P059452-061520 which was due 03/12/21. Due to this failure to pay, your group of requests will also be closed.
Thank you,
Lara

If you have any questions, you may send a message using the Police Records Request Center or call the Public Disclosure Desk at 206-684-5481.

Sincerely,
Larissa Malanca
Seattle Police Department
Legal Unit

SPD receives between 7000 and 8000 public records requests annually and is processing more than 2000 open requests at a time. This may result in a slower than anticipated response to your request. Thank you for your patience.

As a reminder you can login at the Police Records Request Center where you can access Police online information, manage your profile, submit record requests, track your request status, receive and send messages, make payments, view frequently asked questions, and download your records.
Please add seattle@mycusthelp.net to your E-mail contacts/address book to ensure delivery of the record center E-mails to your Inbox. (mailto:seattle@mycusthelp.net)