Records: Columbia Association of the Police Department, City of New York

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

All records of the Bureau mentioning or pertaining to the Columbia Association of the Police Department, City of New York, a fraternal organization of Italian-American police officers. The group is colloqually known as the NYPD Columbia Association and NYPD Columbia Society.

The present incarnation of the organization is an IRS registered nonprofit organization is a nonprofit with Employer Identification Number 11-3442815 since 1999. However, it was registered in New York State's Department of State (DOS) with DOS #36481 in 1932. It initially used the name "Columbia Association of Greater New York, Inc."

The time frame to search is therefore approximately 1932 to present. As this is a lengthy period, I consent in advance to a rolling release.

Please conduct a search of the Central Records System and FBI Data Warehouse System, including but not limited to the ELSUR Records System, the Microphone Surveillance (MISUR) Indices, the Physical Surveillance (FISUR) Indices, the Technical Surveillance (TESUR) Indices, and Counterdrug Information Indices System (CIIS), for both main-file records and cross-reference records for all relevant names, individuals, agencies and companies.

If any potentially responsive records have been destroyed and/or transferred to NARA, then I request copies of the destruction or transfer slips as well as any other documentation relating to, mentioning or describing said transfer or destruction, to include but not be limited to confirmation that the Bureau has no other copies of said records.

I specifically request that FOIA records be treated as a news media requester. The disclosed records will be analyzed for the sake for historical and journalistic study of the Bureau's relationships with New York City police organizations and the Italian-American community.

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 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

T. McElwee