Police Data Collection Request (2021)
| Submitted | Oct. 14, 2022 |
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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, 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: Somerville Police Department
On behalf of the City of Somerville Records Access Officer, this will confirm our office has received your email dated 10/14/2022 and received on 10/17/2022.
Due to the magnitude of your request and the resources required to provide a complete response, the city will provide you with a supplemental response and provide you with the public records sought within 25 business days from the date of the receipt of your request.
The city has identified records and intends to produce same, and may redact or withhold records if any exemptions are identified under the Massachusetts Public Records Law or any other statutes. Any exemptions will be set out in the City's supplemental response to you.
Thank you for your cooperation in this regard.
Susan Tkaczuk
Paralegal
City Hall, Law Department
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville, MA 02143
publicrecords@somervillema.gov<mailto:publicrecords@somervillema.gov>
www.somervillema.gov<http://www.somervillema.gov>
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~WRD0000
From: Somerville Police Department
On behalf of the Records Access Officer and the Records Custodian(s), attached is the document you requested.
To the extent provided by law, you have the right to seek an administrative appeal to the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records under 950 CMR 32.08(1) and the right to seek judicial review by commencing a civil action in the superior court.
Contact information for the Records Access Officer is: David P. Shapiro, Acting City Solicitor, City Hall, 93 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143, Phone: (617) 625-6600 x4400, Email: publicrecords@somervillema.gov.
This completes the City of Somerville's response to your request.
Susan Tkaczuk
Paralegal
City Hall, Law Department
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 625-6600 x 4402
Fax: (617) 776-8847
stkaczuk@somervillema.gov<mailto:stkaczuk@somervillema.gov>
www.somervillema.gov<http://www.somervillema.gov/>
