Police Department Counter-Terrorism Training (Torrance Police Department)

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

Dear Requester,

This is confirmation that your Public Records Act request has been received on 8/20/2018 and is being processed. You requested Police records, which you described as “Torrance Police DepartmentPRA Office3300 Civic Center DriveTorrance, CA 90503-5056August 17, 2018To Whom It May Concern:Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:1) The metadata of all email correspondences with entities (including but not limited to organizations, companies, university programs, non-profits, individuals, and other entities) tasked with training officers or department members in counter-terrorism, countering violent extremism, or homeland/national security from April 1st 2013 to August 16th, 2018 (or the day this request is submitted)We are interested in the following metadata:a) from email address,b) to email addresses,c) cc email addresses,d) bcc email addressese) subject linef) titles of attached filesg) time, and date.2) The metadata of all email correspondences between the police department and other city departments [including, but not limited to, the mayor's office, Southern California fusion centers, the Joint Regional Intelligence Center (JRIC), Orange County Intelligence and Assessment Center (OCIAC) etc.] related to the above counter-terrorism trainings from April 1st 2013 to August 16th, 2018 (or the day this request is submitted)We are interested in the following metadata:a) from email address,b) to email addresses,c) cc email addresses,d) bcc email addressese) subject linef) titles of attached filesg) time, and date.NOTE: E-mail metadata already exists as part of the IT infrastructure of any modern e-mail archiving or data retention system like Google, Datacove, etc. All are exportable, and should be deliverable in a CSV, excel, or other machine readable format. E-mail metadata does not include the contents of the specified e-mails, thus do not need individual review for redaction.3) Any and all records regarding the monetary and logistical details for the above trainings, including but not limited to:a) The name and title of all department members who attended or participated in counter-terrorism training programsb) If participants were on paid work time, or were compensated in any way for participatingc) Any records regarding who the participants met with during the training, and regarding the process of selection of and compensation for the trainers or instructorsd) Any records of tools or metrics used to evaluate the trainings, including records of who created or provided the evaluation toolse) Any records of logistical information regarding transportation, locations, etc. for the above trainingsf) Any records detailing any department money or other public funding that went towards counter-terrorism training programs4) Any and all records containing policies, e-mails, syllabi, notes, promotional materials, presentations, powerpoint slides and any other materials regarding the educational content of the above trainings, including but not limited to:a) The stated goals and/or purpose for the trainingb) Who selected, assessed, oversaw, and approved the educational materials and/or paid for themc) Any records on what the participants were taught about Israeli counter-terrorism methods, policies, and techniquesd) Any records on what the participants were taught about monitoring social media for terrorism suspectse) Any records on what the participants were taught in regards to surveillancef) A detailed list of the specific technologies involved in the trainings (software and hardware) and the names of the entities providing, installing, maintaining, and operating them where applicable.g) Any records on what the participants were taught in regards to data, data collection, use of algorithms, machine learning, predictive analytics, or artificial intelligenceh) Any records of what the participants were taught on crowd control tactics, including the use of lethal and non-lethal weapons (e.g. rubber bullets, tear gas, and live ammunition).i) Any records on what the participants were taught in regards to radical/extremist Islam, Muslims, radical/extremist Muslims, radical/extremist Islamist terrorism, Hamas, Islam, mosques, etc.j) Statements or presentations provided by department participants to the entity conducting the training, the public, or other department members regarding what they learned5) Any and all records of monetary transactions, purchase agreements, purchase orders, invoices, MOUs, letters of intent, negotiations, consultation on product specifications, past or current contracts, and formal agreements between the department and above entities tasked with training officers or department members in counter-terrorism techniquesFor the purposes of this PRA, “counter-terrorism” is defined as practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies presumably used to combat terrorism, extremism, lone-wolf attackers, religiously or politically motivated violence, and threats to homeland security or national security etc., including but not limited to counter-insurgency and military-style tactics.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 calendar days, as the statute requires.Sincerely,Akhil GopalFiled via MuckRock.comE-mail (Preferred): 59543-88264619@requests.muckrock.comUpload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/accounts/agency_login/torrance-polie-department-5734/police-department-counter-terrorism-training-torrance-police-department-59543/?uuid-login=bc850fae-073d-46c9-ad7f-9ba58b7eeafd&email=CityClerk%40torranceca.gov#agency-replyIs this email coming to the wrong contact? Something else wrong? Use the above link to let us know.For mailed responses, please address (see note):MuckRock NewsDEPT MR 59543411A Highland AveSomerville, MA 02144-2516PLEASE NOTE: This request is not filed by a MuckRock staff member, but is being sent through MuckRock by the above in order to better track, share, and manage public records requests. Also note that improperly addressed (i.e., with the requester's name rather than "MuckRock News" and the department number) requests might be returned as undeliverable..”

Thank you for your interest in the City of Torrance. We will be contacting you with a prepared response in regards to your request. If you have any questions, or wish to discuss this further, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at (310) 618-2870 or cityclerk@torranceca.gov.

Sincerely,

Office of the City Clerk
City of Torrance
Track the issue status and respond at:
https://mycusthelp.com/TORRANCECA//_cs/RequestEdit.aspx?rid=3444 (https://mycusthelp.com/TORRANCECA//_cs/RequestEdit.aspx?rid=3444)

8/20/2018
Akhil Gopal 411 A Highland Ave Somerville MA 02144-2516
Dear Requester:
In response to your records request received on 8/20/2018 3:05:28 PM for Police records, the City of Torrance needs additional time to search for your records.
The City Clerk's Office will contact you within fourteen (14) days as to whether the City of Torrance is in possession of records responsive to your request.
Thank you for your interest in the City of Torrance. If you have any questions, or wish to discuss this further, please contact the City Clerk's Office at (310) 618-2870.
Sincerely,

City Clerk's Office City of Torrance

Attachments:
W003444-082018_TPD_Declaration_Letter.pdf (https://mycusthelp.com/TORRANCECA/_cs/DownloadItemFile.aspx?iid=9QHE/j5dFUo=&fid=boVLvpXsI4iA3a0TxJUNLZNaYll2EoLCaDXWKdGZopw=&cid=h3M6G3t7Qm8=)
--- Please respond above this line ---
10/18/2018
Akhil Gopal
411 A Highland Ave
Somerville MA 02144-2516
RE: Public Records Act Request W003444-082018
Date Submitted: 8/20/2018
Dear Requester,
The City of Torrance received a public information request from you on 8/20/2018. You requested Police records, which you described as
“Torrance Police Department PRA Office 3300 Civic Center Drive Torrance, CA 90503-5056 August 17, 2018 Subject: California Public Records Act Request: Police Department Counter-Terrorism Training (Torrance Police Department) To Whom It May Concern: Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records: 1) The metadata of all email correspondences with entities (including but not limited to organizations, companies, university programs, non-profits, individuals, and other entities) tasked with training officers or department members in counter-terrorism, countering violent extremism, or homeland/national security from April 1st 2013 to August 16th, 2018 (or the day this request is submitted) We are interested in the following metadata: a) from email address, b) to email addresses, c) cc email addresses, d) bcc email addresses e) subject line f) titles of attached files g) time, and date. 2) The metadata of all email correspondences between the police department and other city departments [including, but not limited to, the mayor's office, Southern California fusion centers, the Joint Regional Intelligence Center (JRIC), Orange County Intelligence and Assessment Center (OCIAC) etc.] related to the above counter-terrorism trainings from April 1st 2013 to August 16th, 2018 (or the day this request is submitted) We are interested in the following metadata: a) from email address, b) to email addresses, c) cc email addresses, d) bcc email addresses e) subject line f) titles of attached files g) time, and date. NOTE: E-mail metadata already exists as part of the IT infrastructure of any modern e-mail archiving or data retention system like Google, Datacove, etc. All are exportable, and should be deliverable in a CSV, excel, or other machine readable format. E-mail metadata does not include the contents of the specified e-mails, thus do not need individual review for redaction. 3) Any and all records regarding the monetary and logistical details for the above trainings, including but not limited to: a) The name and title of all department members who attended or participated in counter-terrorism training programs b) If participants were on paid work time, or were compensated in any way for participating c) Any records regarding who the participants met with during the training, and regarding the process of selection of and compensation for the trainers or instructors d) Any records of tools or metrics used to evaluate the trainings, including records of who created or provided the evaluation tools e) Any records of logistical information regarding transportation, locations, etc. for the above trainings f) Any records detailing any department money or other public funding that went towards counter-terrorism training programs 4) Any and all records containing policies, e-mails, syllabi, notes, promotional materials, presentations, powerpoint slides and any other materials regarding the educational content of the above trainings, including but not limited to: a) The stated goals and/or purpose for the training b) Who selected, assessed, oversaw, and approved the educational materials and/or paid for them c) Any records on what the participants were taught about Israeli counter-terrorism methods, policies, and techniques d) Any records on what the participants were taught about monitoring social media for terrorism suspects e) Any records on what the participants were taught in regards to surveillance f) A detailed list of the specific technologies involved in the trainings (software and hardware) and the names of the entities providing, installing, maintaining, and operating them where applicable. g) Any records on what the participants were taught in regards to data, data collection, use of algorithms, machine learning, predictive analytics, or artificial intelligence h) Any records of what the participants were taught on crowd control tactics, including the use of lethal and non-lethal weapons (e.g. rubber bullets, tear gas, and live ammunition). i) Any records on what the participants were taught in regards to radical/extremist Islam, Muslims, radical/extremist Muslims, radical/extremist Islamist terrorism, Hamas, Islam, mosques, etc. j) Statements or presentations provided by department participants to the entity conducting the training, the public, or other department members regarding what they learned 5) Any and all records of monetary transactions, purchase agreements, purchase orders, invoices, MOUs, letters of intent, negotiations, consultation on product specifications, past or current contracts, and formal agreements between the department and above entities tasked with training officers or department members in counter-terrorism techniques For the purposes of this PRA, “counter-terrorism” is defined as practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies presumably used to combat terrorism, extremism, lone-wolf attackers, religiously or politically motivated violence, and threats to homeland security or national security etc., including but not limited to counter-insurgency and military-style tactics. 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 calendar days, as the statute requires. Sincerely, Akhil Gopal Filed via MuckRock.com E-mail (Preferred): requests@muckrock.com Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/accounts/agency_login/torrance-polie-department-5734/police-department-counter-terrorism-training-torrance-police-department-59543/?uuid-login=bc850fae-073d-46c9-ad7f-9ba58b7eeafd&email=CityClerk%40torranceca.gov#agency-reply Is this email coming to the wrong contact? Something else wrong? Use the above link to let us know. For mailed responses, please address (see note): MuckRock News DEPT MR 59543 411A Highland Ave Somerville, MA 02144-2516 PLEASE NOTE: This request is not filed by a MuckRock staff member, but is being sent through MuckRock by the above in order to better track, share, and manage public records requests. Also note that improperly addressed (i.e., with the requester's name rather than "MuckRock News" and the department number) requests might be returned as undeliverable.”
The Torrance Police Department has reviewed their files and have determined that this information is exempt from disclosure under Government Code § 6255. Please see the declaration letter attached to this email.
Thank you for your interest in the City of Torrance. Your request is now closed. If you have any questions, or wish to discuss this further, please contact me at (310) 781-7562.
Sincerely,
Daniel Baker
Deputy City Clerk II