Sheriff data collection (2017-2022) (Linn County Sheriff)
It is a clone of this request.
| Multi Request | Sheriff data collection (2017-2022) |
| Submitted | June 30, 2024 |
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Communications
From: Samuel Sinyangwe
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Iowa Open Records Law, I hereby request the following records:
1. the total number of use of force incidents from 2017-2022, separated by year. Please include as part of this a breakdown of how many use of force incidents in 2022 were related to law enforcement operations and how many were related to correctional/custodial operations.
2. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by year and type of force, from 2017-2022 (for example, information that specifies the number of taser incidents in 2022, baton incidents in 2022, 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 the sheriff’s department used force against, broken down by race/ethnicity, in 2022.
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 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Samuel Sinyangwe
From: Linn County Sheriff
We are in receipt of your Open Records request.
We did not begin tracking the use of force incidents until the late part of 2020 and can easily provide this information to you (12/2020 to present). However, for any records dating back before December of 2020, we will need to research this information through examining the case files. It will likely take us at least 10 hours (1/1/2017 to 12/1/2020) to examine the case files and compile the data you are requesting. Under Iowa code we are able to charge for this work for any time beyond the first 30 minutes. Our hourly rate is $25/hour to do this research and compile data, so it will cost you a minimum of around $250 to complete this portion of the records request.
Additionally, we do not track the civilian complaints through a spreadsheet or other electronic means, so again we will need to review each compliant and compile the data you have requested, this may be an additional 5 hours of work or approximately $125.
So, for the total I am estimating that this will take us approximately 15 hours to complete ($375), but until the work is done, this is only an estimate.
If you would like just the easily obtainable information, I can fulfill that request today at no charge, however if you are still requesting all the data in your open records request, we will need to compile it and then would need payment from you prior to us releasing this information. Please let us know how you would like us to proceed.
Thanks
DAVE BEUTER #57-9
Lieutenant, Criminal Division
LINN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
A Credible Leadership Organization
310 2nd Ave. SW | Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Ph: 319-892-6199 | Fax: 319-892-6242
LinnCountyIowa.gov
From: Linn County Sheriff
you can email me direct at dave.beuter@linncountyiowa.gov with your response to the previous message.
From: Samuel Sinyangwe
Hi, thanks I'd like to proceed with this request and can pay the obtain the data prior to December 2020. Please let me know the total cost associated with obtaining all the records I requested so I can pay the fee.
Thanks,
Sam
From: Linn County Sheriff
Prior to starting the process, we will require at least 50% up front and full payment upon completion. Our estimate for this work is $375 for 15 hours of work to compile the records. This amount may be more or less, as this is only an estimate of time. You will need contact us at 319-892-6250 to arrange for payment prior to beginning this process. The upfront cost is a minimum of $187.50. I will let my staff know you will be in contact to pay prior to beginning, once payment is received, we will then start this process. Please reach out if you have any questions.
DAVE BEUTER #57-9
Lieutenant, Criminal Division
LINN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
A Credible Leadership Organization
310 2nd Ave. SW | Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Ph: 319-892-6199 | Fax: 319-892-6242
LinnCountyIowa.gov | @LinnIASheriff
From: Samuel Sinyangwe
To Whom It May Concern:
Please find enclosed a check for $375.00 to satisfy the fee associated with the attached public records request.
Thank you.
LINN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Lieutenant, Criminal Division
310 2nd Ave. SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Iowa Open Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 1, 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: Linn County Sheriff
We have received your payment on Friday, July 26, 2024, and will process with your requested records. I am hoping to have this information compiled and released to you by August 9, 2024.
From: Linn County Sheriff
See attached Spreadsheet for your requested information.
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Open_Records_Request_Muckrock_News.xlsx