Sheriff Data Collection Request (2021)
| Submitted | Oct. 21, 2022 |
MuckRock users can file, duplicate, track, and share public records requests like this one. Learn more.
Communications
From: Samuel Sinyangwe
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Louisiana 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.). Please include as part of this a breakdown of how many use of force incidents in each year were related to law enforcement operations and how many were related to correctional/custodial operations.
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.
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 3 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Samuel Sinyangwe
From: Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office
Dear Mr. Sinyangwe :
Your request was forwarded to me to look into and respond to same. It is a very large request and will take some time to review and then forward the data to you if we have all of same.
I will be in touch when we have responded as fully as possible.
Bill Dodd
Attorney For Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office
William F. Dodd
DODD LAW FIRM
P. O. Box 950
Houma, Louisiana 70361
*(985) 876-2427
*wfdodd@doddlawfirm.com
PRIVILEGED & CONFIDENTIAL
ATTORNEY-CLIENT COMMUNICATION / ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT
This email message is intended solely for the individual(s) named above. It contains confidential information protected by attorney-client communication privilege and/or the attorney work product privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, copy or distribute it or any information it contains. Please immediately delete it and notify the sender by return mail.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Louisiana Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Oct. 21, 2022. 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: Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office
Dear Samuel :
Over the past several weeks the Sheriff’s staff has tried to locate/identify the topics you have requested information about .The Sheriff’s office simply does not have any type of tracking system to find and produce the vast majority of records you have requested as such topics are not routinely tracked. I am sure that you are aware that the Public records act does not require our custodian of records to create such records if they do not exists. see Nungesser v. Brown , 95-3005, 667So.2d 1036( La. 2/16/1996 ).
That said we ( Sheriff’s Office ) , do have what we call a “ Use of Force “ incident report that indicates when a type of force is utilized by an officer. Such records are being copied for the year 2021 and I will inform you of the costs for same.
However , items number 2, 3 , 4 , and 5 cannot be produced.
With respect to item # 6 , be advised that the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office had three (3) officer involved shootings in 2021.
I will be in touch regarding the specified documents as they are being prepared.
Bill Dodd
From: Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office
Dear Samuel :
Per my e-mail to you below , please find attached the “ Use of Force “ incidents we ( Sheriff’s Office ) had in 2021.
Bill Dodd
-
Use of Force Statistical Data 2021