Unmarked Vehicle Data, Policies, Reporting, Use (West Richland Police Department)
| Multi Request | Unmarked Vehicle Data, Policies, Reporting, Use |
| Submitted | Aug. 14, 2020 |
MuckRock users can file, duplicate, track, and share public records requests like this one. Learn more.
Communications
From: Beryl Lipton
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Washington Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
Materials regarding the use and reporting of use of unmarked vehicles by representatives and employees of this agency:
POLICY
All policies, statutes, and guidance used to govern the use of unmarked vehicles or any other vehicle used or in the possession of this agency that is not clearly and obviously marked as a law enforcement vehicle.
Please include all policies regarding access to such vehicles, use of the vehicles, internal reporting requirements when such vehicles are used, and external reporting requirements.
FORMS and GUIDANCE
A blank version of all forms and logs used by this agency in relation unmarked vehicles, including all those used to track use, damage, and the inventory of vehicles.
DATA
All available data, reports, audits, and other aggregated information regarding this agency’s inventory and use of unmarked vehicles for the period from January 1, 2015 through July 31, 2020.
OTHER
In the initial acknowledgement letter from your agency, if you could please include an indication of whether your agency does use unmarked vehicles in some form, that would be appreciated.
For reference, here are examples of the kinds of materials that would be responsive to this request:
• Pennsylvania state statute (http://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pabull?file=/secure/pabulletin/data/vol35/35-2/55.html);
• opinion of the Wisconsin Attorney General (https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/misc/oag/archival/_293/_1/_16);
• Orlando Police Department policy (https://www.orlando.gov/files/sharedassets/public/documents/opd/policies-and-procedures/police-operations/1132.3-response-to-calls-traffic-stops-by-unmarked-police-vehicles.pdf);
• Howard County, Maryland Internal Audit Report of Police Take-Home Vehicle Program Audit - May 2018 (https://cc.howardcountymd.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=xwqgv-M7q9g%3D&tabid=132&portalid=0)
• Minneapolis’s Daily Activity Report (MP-3006) and Equipment Work Order Log (MP-5400)
If any portion of materials responsive to this request should be deemed unavailable or non-disclosable, please specifically identify the portions of the records or the specific information that is unavailable and the reason for the unavailability.
If any portion of this request is unclear or if this request could be modified to reduce the burden of producing responsive documents or provide them more efficiently or expeditiously, please reply with a request for clarification or a proposed modification.
This request is being made by a reporter as part of a journalistic investigation. It is being submitted to your agency at the request of a member of your community as part of a project to better understand policing agencies nationwide.
In the event that there are fees appropriately assessed in association with this request, 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 5 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Beryl Lipton
From: West Richland Police Department
Dear Ms. Lipton,
Pursuant to RCW 42.56.520, this letter is to acknowledge receipt of your records request received August 17, 2020.
Please consider this official notification that 30 additional business days from the date of this letter is needed to determine whether any or all of the information requested is exempted from public disclosure and/or to compile the requested documentation. Please be aware that the response time being provided is an approximation only and this office will make every reasonable effort to respond as promptly as possible to your public records request.
Understand that the West Richland Police Department may impose a reasonable charge .15 cents a page for requested documents as authorized by state law. I will notify you in advance of the cost.
Sincerely,
Tammy Davenport, Police Records Supervisor
West Richland Police Department
3805 W Van Giesen
West Richland, WA 99353
509-967-3425 or 509-967-7110 (Direct Line)
509-967-2251 (fax)
Please Note: This message and any attached files might contain confidential information protected by federal and state law. The information is intended only for the use of the individual or entities originally named as addressees. The improper disclosure of such information may be subject to civil or criminal penalties. If this message reached you in error, please contact the sender and destroy this message. Disclosing, copying, forwarding, or distributing the information by unauthorized individuals or entities is strictly prohibited by law.
From: West Richland Police Department
Dear Ms. Lipton,
As requested, the West Richland Police Department has identified the public records that are responsive to your August 17, 2020 request you made via email. Please see the response below.
WEST RICHLAND UNMARKED CARS INVENTORY
* Detective-Unmarked SUV
* Detective-Unmarked Sedan
* Chief-Unmarked Sedan
* Captain-Unmarked Sedan
* Admin Sergeant-Unmarked Sedan
WEST RICHLAND POLICY
306.4 PURSUIT VEHICLES
When involved in a pursuit, unmarked Department emergency vehicles should be replaced by
marked emergency vehicles whenever practicable. Vehicle pursuits should be limited to three
Department emergency vehicles.
702.3.2 UNMARKED VEHICLES
An employee driving unmarked department vehicles shall ensure that the minimum following
equipment is present in the vehicle:
* 20 Emergency road flares
* 2 Sticks yellow crayon or chalk
* 1 Roll barricade tape
* 1 First aid kit
* 1 Fingerprint kit
* 1 Fire extinguisher
* Personal Protective Equipment per the Personal Protective Equipment policy.
WASHINGTON STATE STATUTE
RCW 46.08.065(3)
ATTACHMENT
Sample Excel Spread sheet used to track West Richland Vehicle Inventory. We do not have a form or log to track use or damage.
DATA
The City of West Richland conducts a yearly audit on all fixed assets within the city. This document is an excel spreadsheet listing every fixed asset the police department has in their possession. The inventory columns are Present (meaning do we still have the asset) asset tag number (assigned by the city), location of the asset (what department has the asset), description, original cost, make, model, serial number/license number, employee in possession of the asset and when it was purchased. See sample below.
FIXED ASSETS
Department:
POLICE
INVENTORY COMPLETED BY:
Tammy Davenport
Present
Asset
Location
Description
Grant
Orig Cost
Make
Model
Serial
Employee
License#
Comment
This letter is to confirm the completion or your request. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact my office at 509-967-3425.
Sincerely,
Tammy Davenport, Police Records Supervisor
West Richland Police Department
3805 W Van Giesen
West Richland, WA 99353
509-967-3425 or 509-967-7110 (Direct Line)
509-967-2251 (fax)
Please Note: This message and any attached files might contain confidential information protected by federal and state law. The information is intended only for the use of the individual or entities originally named as addressees. The improper disclosure of such information may be subject to civil or criminal penalties. If this message reached you in error, please contact the sender and destroy this message. Disclosing, copying, forwarding, or distributing the information by unauthorized individuals or entities is strictly prohibited by law.
Files
pages