Police data collection (Biddeford Police Department)
| Multi Request | Police data collection |
| Submitted | Feb. 5, 2024 |
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Communications
From: Samuel Sinyangwe
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Maine Freedom of Access Act, I hereby request the following records:
1. the total number of use of force incidents reported from 2017-2022, separated by year.
2. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by type of force and year, from 2017-2022 (for example, information that specifies the number of taser incidents in 2022, baton incidents in 2022, taser incidents in 2021, baton incidents in 2021, etc.)
3. the total number of civilian complaints against law enforcement that were reported and the total number sustained from 2017-2022, separated by year.
4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained from 2017-2022, separated by year.
5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained from 2017-2022, separated by year.
6. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained from 2017-2022, separated by year.
7. the total number of officer-involved shootings from 2017-2022, both fatal and non-fatal, separated by year.
8. the total number of people who police used force against in 2022, broken down by race/ethnicity.
When available, I would appreciate being sent individualized data 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, please do not include complaints filed by one officer/the department against another officer.
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 1 M.R.S.A. ยง 408(6). 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.
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 5 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Samuel Sinyangwe
From:
I have received your FOAA request via mail. At your request, I will provide an estimate of the fees associated with fulfilling your request in advance. That estimate of fees will be forwarded to this email address when completed.
[StevenGortonDeputyChiefBizCard-Amended 7-28-23]
The contents of this e-mail message and any attachments are confidential and are intended solely for addressee. The information may also be legally privileged. This transmission is sent in trust, for the sole purpose of delivery to the intended recipient. If you have received this transmission in error, any use, reproduction or dissemination of this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify the sender by reply e-mail or phone and delete this message and its attachments, if any.
Under Maine law, documents - including e-mails - in the possession of public officials or city employees about government business may be classified as public records. There are very few exceptions. As a result, please be advised that what is written in an e-mail could be released to the public and/or the media if requested.
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From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Maine Freedom of Access Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 7, 2024. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Biddeford Police Department
I have attached (below) the Biddeford Police Department Written Directive as it relates to fees for public records. For the information you requested, I estimate 6 hours of combined staff time to search for, retrieve, and compile multiple years of records in the format you requested.
Accordingly, the estimated fee for this request will be $125 and will need to be paid before any search, retrieval, or compiling of any information.
B. FEES FOR PUBLIC RECORDS (Return to TOC)
1. Except as otherwise specifically provided by law or court order, this agency, as the custodian of a public record, will charge the following fees to cover the cost of copying:
a. Offense/Crash reports - $10.00 for the first five (5) pages, $15.00 for 6-15 pages, $20.00 for 16-25 and .50 cents per page over 25 pages.
b. Dispatch logs - $5.00 for the first five (5) pages, $10.00 for 6-15 pages, $20.00 for 16- 25 pages and .50 cents per page over 25 pages. Effective Date: February 10, 2024 Page 3 of 8 Public Access to Records WD 01-11
c. Second discovery packet (1-5 pages) $10.00. (First discovery copy given at court without fee.)
d. Crash reconstruction reports - $150.00.
e. The fee to cover the actual cost of searching for, retrieving and compiling the requested public record is $25 per hour after the first hour of staff time per request. Compiling the public record includes reviewing and redacting confidential information. f. If translation is necessary, this agency will charge a fee to cover the actual cost of translation. g. There will not be a charge for inspection. 2. This agency shall provide to the requester an estimate of the time necessary to complete the request and of the total cost. If the estimate of the total cost is greater than $20, the department or official shall inform the requester before proceeding. If the estimate of the total cost is greater than $100 or if the requester has previously failed to pay a properly assessed fee in a timely manner, payment is required in advance of estimated costs to complete the request prior to the translation, search and retrieval, compiling and copying of the public record. This agency may waive part or the entire fee if the requester is indigent or release of the public record is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester
From: Samuel Sinyangwe
To Whom It May Concern:
Please find enclosed a check for $125.00 to satisfy the fee associated with the attached public records request.
Thank you.
Biddeford Police Department
FOAA Office
39 Alfred Street
Biddeford, ME 04005
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Maine Freedom of Access Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 7, 2024. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Biddeford Police Department
I have received your request and check for payment. I am in the process of compiling the requested information. I will respond when that process is complete.
From: Biddeford Police Department
Your request is being processed and will likely be transmitted via email on 04/01/2024.
From: Biddeford Police Department
The request is near completion and it has been necessary to involve several staff members. The information requested will likely be sent via email tomorrow(04-02). I apologize for the delay.
From: Biddeford Police Department
Attached is the FOAA information requested.
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