Police data collection project (Somerville Police Department)

Samuel Sinyangwe filed this request with the Somerville Police Department of Somerville, MA.
Multi Request Police data collection project
Submitted July 20, 2020
Status
Completed

Communications

From: Samuel Sinyangwe

Subject: Massachusetts Public Records Law Request: Police data collection project (Somerville Police Department)

Email


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 year and by type of force used from 2016-2019 (for example, "27 taser incidents in 2016, 3 baton incidents in 2017, etc.)
2. the total number of civilian complaints alleging any form of law enforcement misconduct that were reported and the total number sustained, separated by year (for example, 8 complaints in 2016, 2 complaints sustained in 2017, 4 complaints in 2018, 1 complaint sustained in 2019, etc.)
3. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained from 2016-2019, 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 2016-2019, separated by year

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: Somerville Police Department

Subject: RE: Massachusetts Public Records Law Request: Police data collection project (Somerville Police Department)

Email

Dear Mr. Sinyangwe:

On behalf of the Records Access Officer and the Records Custodian(s), I write to acknowledge receipt of your request. Please note, our records show your request was originally submitted on July 29, 2020.

A supplemental response is forthcoming in accordance with the Massachusetts Public Records Law.

Please let us know if you have any questions in this regard.

Thank you.

Susan Tkaczuk
Paralegal
City Hall, Law Department
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 625-6600 x 4402
Fax: (617) 776-8847

This message and any attached documents contain information which may be confidential, subject to privilege or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. These materials are intended only for the use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient of this transmission, you are hereby notified that any distribution, disclosure, printing, copying, storage, modification or the taking of any action in reliance upon this transmission is strictly prohibited. Delivery of this message to any person other than the intended recipient shall not compromise or waive such confidentiality, privilege or exemption from disclosure as to this communication. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify the sender and delete the message from your system. Thank you.

From: Somerville Police Department

Subject: RE: Massachusetts Public Records Law Request: Police data collection project (Somerville Police Department)

Email

Good morning:

On behalf of the City of Somerville Public Records Access Officer, this email confirms receipt of your public records request on July 29, 2020.

In response to this request, please find the attached information produced by the Somerville Police Department. I have been informed that the category of "misconduct" listed in the attached, includes any and all complaints made by civilians other than those categories of complaints listed separately.

Please let me know should you have any questions. Thank you.

Shannon T. Phillips, Esq.

Assistant City Solicitor

City of Somerville

93 Highland Avenue

Somerville, MA 02143

617-625-6600, ext.4403<tel:(617)%20625-6600>

This message and any attached documents contain information which may be confidential, subject to privilege or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. These materials are intended only for the use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient of this transmission, you are hereby notified that any distribution, disclosure, printing, copying, storage, modification or the taking of any action in reliance upon this transmission is strictly prohibited. Delivery of this message to any person other than the intended recipient shall not compromise or waive such confidentiality, privilege or exemption from disclosure as to this communication. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify the sender and delete the message from your system. Thank you.

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