Sustained findings since 2017 (Internal Affairs Division Of The Office Of Professional Standards (ops) Of The South Fulton Police, South Fulton)

Ananya Tiwari filed this request with the Internal Affairs Division Of The Office Of Professional Standards (ops) Of The South Fulton Police, South Fulton of Georgia.
Multi Request Sustained findings since 2017
Submitted Nov. 14, 2022
Est. Completion None
Status
Payment Required

From: Ananya Tiwari

Subject: Georgia Open Records Act Request: Sustained findings since 2017 (Internal Affairs Division Of The Office Of Professional Standards (ops) Of The South Fulton Police, South Fulton)

Mail

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act, I hereby request the following records:

To whomsoever it may concern:

Under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50.18.70 et seq.,I am requesting copies of records related to cases of sustained findings of police misconduct at the Internal Affairs Division of the Office of Professional Standards (OPS) of the South Fulton Police, between 2017 and 2022. This includes, but is not limited to, documents, reports, multimedia, body-worn camera footage, arrest filings, and so on. It also includes all documents, notes, correspondence and memoranda evidencing sustained findings reports and investigations, and all communication and correspondence in whatever tangible medium between the officials, the victims and the overseeing agency.

I am requesting digital copies of all responsive 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.

Here, misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

Excessive (unreasonable) force – beatings, manhandling of people in handcuffs, improper use of Tasers, injuries inflicted by police dogs, improper use of deadly force, and other police brutality or disregard for the safety of suspects. It also includes, but is not limited to: physical and verbal abuse, restraints happening unreasonably, coerced or forced confessions, and sexual abuse and assault.

False arrests – pulling over, detention, questioning and searches conducted without any probable cause whatsoever, including cases of planted evidence, racial profiling and trumped-up charges of resisting arrest.

Georgia law clearly provides that, except as otherwise specifically provided, “All public records … shall be open for a personal inspection by any citizen of this state at a reasonable time and place; and those in charge of such records shall not refuse this privilege to any citizen.” O.C.G.A. Moreover, investigative records of a government agency relating to the suspension, firing, or investigation of complaints against a public employee are subject to the Act’s disclosure requirements 10 days after the investigative record is submitted to the agency for action or the investigation is otherwise concluded or terminated.

If this request is denied in whole or in part, we ask that you cite in writing the specific statutory exemption upon which you have relied, as required by law. We also ask that you release all separate portions of otherwise exempt material. Please waive any costs associated with this request, or first inform us about such costs as required by Georgia law.

As you know, the Act requires a response by you within three business days of your receipt of this letter and provides sanctions for non-compliance. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 415-769-8210 or ananyatiwarijournalism@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Ananya Tiwari

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 3 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Ananya Tiwari

From: Dilcia Mercedes

Subject: RE: Georgia Open Records Act Request: Sustained findings since 2017 (Internal Affairs Division Of The Office Of Professional Standards (ops) Of The South Fulton Police, South Fulton)

Mail

To the Internal Affairs Division Of The Office Of Professional Standards (ops) Of The South Fulton Police, South Fulton:

We sent you a records request related to cases of sustained findings of police misconduct at your agency from years 2017-2022.
We have not gotten an acknowledgement that the request was received. We will resubmit the request via other means if this is not the best way to reach you all.
But, if it is, send an answer about our request so that we can receive those records.

Thank you!

From: Internal Affairs Division Of The Office Of Professional Standards (ops) Of The South Fulton Police, South Fulton

Subject: Mailed ORR Sustained findings since 2017 of the SFPD

Email

Good Afternoon,

I received your ORR on 1/30/2024. Due to technical software difficulties within the open records system, there will be a delay in the completion of your open records request. Please allow a minimum of 12 days for us to respond to your request.

Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience this may have caused.
You may reach out to me anytime if you have any questions.

Thank you,
Amber

Amber Manuel
Records Administrator
City of South Fulton Police Department| 100 Hartsfield Center Pkwy Ste. 200 Atlanta, GA 30354
Amber.Manuel@cityofsouthfultonga.gov
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From: Internal Affairs Division Of The Office Of Professional Standards (ops) Of The South Fulton Police, South Fulton

Subject: Re: Georgia Open Records Act Request: Sustained findings since 2017 (Internal Affairs Division Of The Office Of Professional Standards (ops) Of The South Fulton Police, South Fulton)

Email

Good Afternoon,

Can you please provide me with the Open records request (P) number?

Thanks!

Amber Manuel
Records Administrator
City of South Fulton Police Department| 100 Hartsfield Center Pkwy Ste. 200 Atlanta, GA 30354
Amber.Manuel@cityofsouthfultonga.gov
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From: Internal Affairs Division Of The Office Of Professional Standards (ops) Of The South Fulton Police, South Fulton

Subject: Re: Georgia Open Records Act Request: Sustained findings since 2017 (Internal Affairs Division Of The Office Of Professional Standards (ops) Of The South Fulton Police, South Fulton)

Email

Good Afternoon,

I am responding to your ORR. Please read the response carefully below:

Please be advised that this request will require substantial time for Internal Affairs (IA) to complete. IA Personnel indicates that there are approximately 4, 078 files and documents and 1, 180 electronic records that will need to be retrieved, reviewed for redactions, and produced from 2017 to 2022. IA personnel estimates that it will take approximately 3, 700 hours to perform this request.

The hourly rate of the lowest paid Police Department personnel who is capable of such task is $22.12. The City will incur an estimated labor cost of $81, 844 (3700 x $22.12). Because the cost will exceed $500.00, we will require pre-payment of the estimated costs before completing the request . Please see O.C.G.A. §50-18-71(d))

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,
Amber

Amber Manuel
Records Administrator
City of South Fulton Police Department| 100 Hartsfield Center Pkwy Ste. 200 Atlanta, GA 30354
Amber.Manuel@cityofsouthfultonga.gov
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