Police Data Collection Request (2021)

Dear Samuel Sinyangwe:
Thank you for your interest in Washington County Sheriff’s Office public records. Your request has been received and is being processed in accordance with the Oregon Public Records Laws, ORS 192. Your request was received in this office on 8/14/2022 and given the reference number S020541-081422 for tracking purposes. Records Requested: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Oregon 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.

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,

Samuel Sinyangwe

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
Your request will be forwarded to the relevant department(s) to locate the information you seek and to determine the volume and any costs associated with satisfying your request. You will be contacted about the availability and/or provided with copies of the records in question. PLEASE NOTE: The Oregon Public Records Laws 192  does not require a governmental body to create new information, to do legal research, or to answer questions.
You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below and you'll receive an email when your request has been completed. Again, thank you for using the Public Records Center.


Washington County Sheriff’s Office
Criminal Records
215 SW Adams Ave, MS 32
Hillsboro, OR 97123
(503) 846-2524 | (503) 846-2719 fax

RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST of August 14, 2022, Reference # S020541-081422 Dear Samuel Sinyangwe:
Thank you for your interest in Washington County Sheriff's Office public records. Your request was received in this office on 8/14/2022 and given the reference number S020541-081422 for tracking purposes.
We understand that you are requesting: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Oregon 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.

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,

Samuel Sinyangwe

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/ In accordance with Oregon Public Records law (ORS 192.324(2)), the County is acknowledging receipt of your written request for records. Having reviewed your request, the County is able to inform you that:
The Sheriff's Office is still processing your request which requires contact with other departments for research or to determine if the record is releasable. We will contact you within thirty (30) business days with an update on your request.


Sincerely,
Washington County Sheriff’s Office
Criminal Records
215 SW Adams Ave, MS 32
Hillsboro, OR 97123
(503) 846-2700 | (503) 846-2719 fax

If you disagree with the County’s interpretation of ORS Chapter 192, including the applicability of one or more exemptions to the requested records, you may seek a review of this decision as provided in Oregon Revised Statutes 192.311 to 192.431. The County retains Public records in accordance with applicable retention schedule as provided by the Oregon Secretary of State's Office pursuant to OAR Chapter 166, Division 150.

--- Please respond above this line ---

RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST of August 14, 2022. Reference # S020541-081422
Dear Samuel Sinyangwe,
The Washington County Sheriff's Office received a public records request from you on August 14, 2022.  Below is a summary of the information requested.
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.)
Total distinct Use of Force incidents for 2021: 441
At this time, we are unable to provide more detail. In 2021, we switched to a new Use of Force tracking system. For many reasons and despite a lot of effort put into cleaning up the data, we are unable to rely on any automated counts out of this system. We have begun what amounts to a hand count of all uses of force that will involve reading all of the reports and attempting to properly categorize the uses of force. The results will not be available for some months.
2. the total number of civilian complaints alleging any form of law enforcement misconduct that were reported and the total number sustained in 2021. Nine (9) – none (0) sustained.
3. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained in 2021. One (1) – not sustained.
4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained in 2021. Three (3) – All three complaints were thoroughly investigated and determined to be unfounded
5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained in 2021. One (1) – not sustained
6. the total number of officer involved shootings in 2021, both fatal and non-fatal.
Zero (0)
If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact us at (503) 846-2700. We are open at all times.
Sincerely,
Douglas Price
Washington County Sheriff’s Office
Criminal Records
215 SW Adams Ave, MS 32
Hillsboro, OR 97123
(503) 846-2700 | (503) 846-2719 fax
If you disagree with the County’s interpretation of ORS Chapter 192, including the applicability of one or more exemptions to the requested records, you may seek a review of this decision as provided in Oregon Revised Statutes 192.311 to 192.431. The County retains Public records in accordance with applicable retention schedule as provided by the Oregon Secretary of State's Office pursuant to OAR Chapter 166, Division 150.