Sheriff Data Collection Request (2016-2020)

Dear Samuel:

Thank you for your interest in public records of Mason County Sheriff’s Office. Your request has been received and is being processed. Your request was received in this office on July 10, 2023 and given the reference number W013510-071023 for tracking purposes.

Record Requested: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Washington Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by year, from 2016-2020 (for example, 302 use of force incidents in 2016, 287 use of force incidents in 2017, etc.)

2. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by type of force and year used from 2016-2020 (for example, information that specifies the number of taser incidents in 2016, baton incidents in 2016, etc.). Please include as part of this a breakdown of how many use of force incidents in each year were related to law enforcement operations and how many were related to correctional/custodial operations.

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.

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 5 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Samuel Sinyangwe

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--- Please respond above this line ---

Date: 07/14/2023
RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST of July 10, 2023, Reference # W013510-071023
Dear Samuel,
Mason County Sheriff's Office received a public information request from you on July 10, 2023, for the following records:
“To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Washington Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by year, from 2016-2020 (for example, 302 use of force incidents in 2016, 287 use of force incidents in 2017, etc.)

2. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by type of force and year used from 2016-2020 (for example, information that specifies the number of taser incidents in 2016, baton incidents in 2016, etc.). Please include as part of this a breakdown of how many use of force incidents in each year were related to law enforcement operations and how many were related to correctional/custodial operations.
The Sheriff's Office has reviewed its files and has located responsive records to your request.  The responsive documents are 2016-2020 Annual UOF Reports and a UOF Spreadsheet. Note that we do not house, use or retain a responsive document that separates ops/corrections by UOF type.
You can now retrieve the records via the Mason County Public Records Portal at the link below.
If you have never logged in before, you will need to create a password, "forgot password". Then after logging in "view my request" and click on "details". Toward the bottom of the page are attachments containing your responsive documents. Mason County Sheriff's Office Public Records Center
If you have any questions, or wish to discuss this further, please contact me at (360) 427-9670 Ext 314.
Sincerely,
Tami Beyer
Mason County Sheriff's Office