Police Data Collection Request (2021)

Samuel Sinyangwe filed this request with the Whittier Police Department of Whittier, CA.
Status
Completed

Communications

From: Samuel Sinyangwe

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, 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 calendar days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Samuel Sinyangwe

From: Whittier Police Department

Good morning. My name is Sergeant Kevin Ramos at the Whittier Police Department (CA). My current assignment is within the Professional Standards Unit. One of my responsibilities as part of the Professional Standards Unit is to act as the department’s Custodian of Records where it relates to personnel matters. It is in that capacity that I write.

I am in receipt of the California Public Records Act Request: Police Data Collection Request (2021) dated October 16, 2022. Per your notice, it is understood the request was initially sent to jpiper@cityofwhittier.org<mailto:jpiper@cityofwhittier.org> in error. Please note: The request was initially sent to an inactive account. It belonged to Chief of Police Jeff Piper, now retired.

Any future requests should be sent to the City of Whittier City Clerk’s Office. Requests can be mailed to the attention of the City Clerk’s Office at 13230 Penn Street, Whittier, CA, 90602. You may also call (562)567-9850 or email the City Clerk, Rigo Garcia, at RGarcia@cityofwhittier.org<mailto:RGarcia@cityofwhittier.org>.

Your follow-up request was dated December 15, 2023. It was received by Whittier Police Records Bureau Supervisor Diana Garcia on December 27, 2023, and forwarded to me on the same date. Today, Tuesday, January 9, 2024, represents the tenth business day since receipt of your request.

The following are the raw responsive numbers to the data 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 number of use of force incidents: 69 (inclusive of all types of force used)
* Total number of Taser incidents: 15
2. The total number of Civilian Complaints alleging any form of law enforcement misconduct that were reported and the total number sustained in 2021.
* Total number of Civilian Complaints: 7
* Total number sustained: 3
3. The total number of Civilian Complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained in 2021.
* Total number of Civilian Complaints alleging excessive force: 3
* Total number sustained: 0
4. The total number of Civilian Complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained in 2021.
* Total number of Civilian Complaints alleging biased policing: 0
5. The total number of Civilian Complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained in 2021.
* Total number of Civilian Complaints alleging criminal conduct: 0
6. The total number of officer-involved shootings in 2021, both fatal and non-fatal.
* Total number of officer-involved shootings: 1

The information provided above represents the raw data relating to the requested item. The raw data is not maintained nor catalogued at the Whittier Police Department in spreadsheet format as you requested. As you know, California public agencies are not required to create documents that do not already exist to accommodate special requests.

If you have any questions, I can be contacted at this email address or by calling (562)567-9214. I appreciate your patience in this matter.

Thank you,

Sergeant Kevin Ramos
Whittier Police Department
Office of Professional Standards
13200 Penn Street | Whittier, CA 90602
562-567-9214

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