Mobile Police Department FOIA

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Alabama Open Records Law, I hereby request the following records:

Subject: Public Records Request Under Alabama Open Records Law – Racial Profiling, Discriminatory Policing, and Civil Rights Compliance

Dear Records Custodian,

This is a formal request for public records under Alabama’s Open Records Law (Ala. Code § 36-12-40) regarding racial profiling, discriminatory policing, and systemic disparities in law enforcement practices conducted by the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) from January 2022 – Present.

This request is submitted on behalf of Alabama Times, a new organization conducting an in-depth analysis of law enforcement bias, civil rights violations, and potential unconstitutional practices in Mobile County.

Given the significant public interest in racial disparities in policing, discriminatory law enforcement tactics, and civil rights compliance, any refusal to provide these records in full and without unnecessary delay may raise serious concerns with federal oversight agencies, civil rights organizations, and national media outlets. If patterns of racial bias or suppression of these records emerge, this matter may warrant escalation to the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and other oversight bodies for potential federal intervention.

1. Racial Disparities in Traffic Stops, Arrests, and Policing of Minority Communities

I request all data, reports, and internal analyses regarding racial disparities in law enforcement actions, including but not limited to:
• Full statistical breakdowns of all traffic stops from January 2022 – Present, categorized by:
• Race, ethnicity, and gender of the driver and passengers.
• Reason for the stop (e.g., speeding, equipment violation, “suspicious behavior”).
• Whether a search was conducted and the stated justification (probable cause, consent, K9 alert, etc.).
• Outcome of the stop (e.g., citation, arrest, release, or vehicle impoundment).
• Whether the individual was a local resident or an out-of-state visitor.
• GPS or precise location data of each stop.
• Racial and demographic breakdowns of all arrests from January 2022 – Present, including:
• Percentage of arrests involving Black, Hispanic, and other minority individuals versus White individuals.
• Arrests for nonviolent offenses (e.g., disorderly conduct, loitering, resisting arrest without violence).
• Arrests related to marijuana possession and other drug-related offenses.
• Arrests resulting from “pretextual stops” (i.e., minor infractions used as justification for deeper searches).
• Statistical analysis of use-of-force incidents, including:
• Deployment of Tasers, pepper spray, batons, and physical force by race of the suspect.
• K9 deployments, including bite reports and injuries sustained.
• Officer-involved shootings, including victim demographics.
• Any internal MCSO investigations into racial bias in use-of-force incidents.

2. Predictive Policing, Surveillance, and Targeting of Minority Communities
• Records related to “predictive policing” technologies used by MCSO, including:
• Any use of AI-based crime forecasting or facial recognition software.
• Deployment of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) in predominantly Black or Hispanic neighborhoods.
• All agreements with private vendors or third-party data analytics firms contracted to analyze crime patterns in Mobile County.
• Any records of gang database inclusion criteria, including:
• Racial and demographic breakdown of individuals entered into gang watchlists.
• Policies governing how individuals are added or removed from gang databases.
• Any warnings or advisories issued by state or federal agencies regarding misuse of these databases.

3. Internal Complaints, Disciplinary Actions, and Investigations into Racial Profiling
• All complaints filed by citizens or deputies against MCSO officers for racial profiling or discriminatory policing from January 2022 – Present.
• Copies of Internal Affairs investigations related to allegations of racial bias.
• Any audits or internal reviews assessing racial disparities in policing practices.

4. Collaboration with Federal, State, and Private Entities on Policing & Surveillance
• Any Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) or contracts between MCSO and:
• The Mobile Real-Time Crime Center or Alabama Fusion Center.
• Private security firms, data analytics vendors, or technology providers used for surveillance.
• Any federal agencies (FBI, DHS, ICE) regarding information-sharing agreements that include racial or ethnic identifiers.
• Any federal or state grants received by MCSO for “crime reduction” programs that target specific demographic groups.

5. Racial Profiling & Civil Rights Compliance Reports
• All correspondence between MCSO and the U.S. Department of Justice regarding civil rights investigations, racial profiling concerns, or law enforcement oversight.
• Any legal settlements or pending lawsuits involving racial discrimination by MCSO deputies.
• Any reports or studies analyzing disparities in MCSO’s treatment of different racial or ethnic groups.

Legal Compliance & Transparency

Under Alabama’s Open Records Law, these documents are presumed public unless a specific statutory exemption applies. If any portion of this request is denied, please:
1. Provide the non-exempt portions of the records.
2. Cite the specific exemption(s) under Alabama law that justify withholding information.
3. Explain why the exemption applies to these particular records.

Failure to provide these records in a timely manner may be viewed as an attempt to obstruct public oversight and could result in:
• A formal complaint to the Alabama Attorney General’s Office for noncompliance.
• Legal action for failure to comply with Alabama Open Records Law.
• Federal scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division if racial disparities are suspected.
• Extensive media coverage highlighting a lack of transparency in Mobile County law enforcement.

Request for Fee Waiver & Electronic Format

I request a fee waiver as this request is made on behalf of Alabama Times, a news organization working in the public interest. If fees cannot be waived, please provide a detailed breakdown of anticipated costs before processing.

I also request that records be provided in electronic format (CSV, PDF, or other machine-readable formats) whenever possible.

Response Deadline & Compliance Reminder

Please confirm receipt of this request and provide an estimated timeline for fulfillment. Alabama law requires prompt access to public records, and I expect an initial response within ten (10) business days.

Failure to comply within a reasonable timeframe will escalate this matter to appropriate oversight authorities.

Thank you for your time and cooperation.

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.

Sincerely,

André Natta, a citizen of Alabama, in coordination with Alabama Times.