Police Liability payout record request from Sun Sentinel (South Miami Police Department)
| Multi Request | Police Liability payout record request from Sun Sentinel |
| Submitted | Jan. 29, 2021 |
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Communications
From: Mario Ariza
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Florida Sunshine Law, I hereby request the following records:
I hope this message finds you well. This is a public records request from a member of a media organization, pursuant to Florida Statute 119. In furtherance of an article investigating police misconduct payouts across the county over the past decades, we are seeking documents that show how much your municipal corporation, its legal representatives, or its liability insurance carriers have paid out in civil court since 01/01/2010 because of the actions of its police professionals.
To that end, we kindly request the electronic delivery of an excel spreadsheet with the following information:
- An identifying number for the claim
- The loss date
- An incident indicator description (such as “excessive force, k-9 bite, false arrest/imprisonment, etc.)
- Incurred expenses
- Incurred liability
- Incurred legal expenses
- Paid legal expenses
- Paid total
- Incurred total
This records pull should be interpreted to cover both federal and state court claims. If some of the above figures are not available because of your accounting practices, please endeavor to provide us with as full a picture as possible of the $$$ paid out by your municipality due to lawsuits against its police officers over the past ten years.
Upon request, we can provide a spreadsheet obtained from the BSO that can serve as an example and guide for what we are looking for. Please do feel free to reach out via email or phone should you have any questions.
Very Best
Mario Alejandro Ariza
Federal Courts Reporter
South Florida Sun Sentinel
786.210.6548
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 10 business days.
Sincerely,
Mario Ariza
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Florida Sunshine Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Jan. 29, 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: South Miami Police Department
Please note that we have no record of the original request, but regardless your request was forwarded to the Asst. City Manager Samantha Fraga-Lopez (SFraga-Lopez@southmiamifl.gov<mailto:SFraga-Lopez@southmiamifl.gov>) as the Police Department does not have the requested records!
Please Note: Florida has a very broad Public Records Law. Most written communications to or from State and Local Officials regarding State or Local business are public records available to the public and media upon request. Your email communications may therefore be subject to public disclosure.
Capt. John Barzola
South Miami Police Department
Administrative Division Commander
6130 Sunset Drive
South Miami, Fl. 33143
Office- 305-663-6313
jbarzola@southmiamipdfl.gov<mailto:jbarzola@southmiamipdfl.gov>
Looking for a career in law enforcement? Please view our current job opportunities by visiting our website at: https://fl-southmiami.civicplushrms.com/careers
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From: South Miami Police Department
Mr. Ariza,
I have requested the applicable loss runs from the City’s insurance carrier.
Best Regards,
Samantha Fraga-Lopez, Esq.
Assistant City Manager
City of South Miami
6130 Sunset Drive
South Miami, Florida 33143
Direct: 305-668-2515
Fax: 305- 668-3877
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From: South Miami Police Department
Mr. Ariza,
Please see attached provided by the City’s insurance carrier. I am working on having them send me prior years. The redactions are made pursuant to 119.071(1)(d).
Best Regards,
Samantha Fraga-Lopez, Esq.
Assistant City Manager
City of South Miami
6130 Sunset Drive
South Miami, Florida 33143
Direct: 305-668-2515
Fax: 305- 668-3877
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From: South Miami Police Department
I have confirmed the claims sent date back to 2011.
Best Regards,
Samantha Fraga-Lopez, Esq.
Assistant City Manager
City of South Miami
6130 Sunset Drive
South Miami, Florida 33143
Direct: 305-668-2515
Fax: 305- 668-3877
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