Dog (Barnstable County Sheriff's Office)

Dhruv Mehrotra filed this request with the Barnstable County Sheriff's Office of Barnstable County, MA.
Multi Request Dog
Status
Rejected

Communications

From: Dhruv Mehrotra

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:

According to the AP a robotic dog named RA robotic dog assisted Barnstable law enforcement in a high profile incident on March Sixth. The robot was controlled remotely by state troopers, it first checked the two main floors before finding someone in the basement. The person, armed with a rifle, twice knocked over the robotic dog before shooting it three times and disabling its communication.

I am looking for body camera footage from responding officers, footage from the robotic dog, incident reports, or any logs or records kept by the dog during the deployment - these additional dogs could be from the remote control system that operated the dog or from the robot itself.

I'd be happy to discuss this request over the phone if necessary. I know that MSP may hold some of these records, i've reached out to them as well.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, and is not made for commercial usage.

I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.

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, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Dhruv Mehrotra

From: Barnstable County Sheriff's Office

Dear Dhruv Mehrotra:

The Barnstable County Sheriff's Office ("BCSO") received the above-identified request, seeking "body camera footage from responding officers, footage from the robotic dog, [and] incident reports, or any logs or records kept by the dog during the deployment." Please be advised that he BCS does not employ or possess body camera footage and/or any robotic dog(s0. Accordingly, while the BCSO is not in custody of any records responsive to your request, the Massachusetts Department of State may possess responsive material. They may be contacted at Primary RAO, Massachusetts State Police, 50 Maple Street, Milford, MA 01757.
Please be advised that a person submitting a public records request may, in accordance with G.L. c. 66 ยง10A(a) & (c) and 950 C.M.R. 32.00, appeal a public record determination and/or seek judicial review of the same.
Sincerely,

Michael B. Halpin
General Counsel
Barnstable County Sheriff's Office
6000 Sheriff's Place
Bourne, MA 02532
Tel: (508) 563-4311
[EMAIL SIGNATURE LOGOS]

Files