Police Data Collection Request (2022)

Dear Samuel Sinyangwe:
Thank you for your interest in public information of the City of Odessa.

Your request has been received and is being processed in accordance with Chapter 552 of Texas Government Code, the Public Information Act.
Your request was received in this office on 10/15/2023 and given the reference number P014304-101523 for tracking purposes.
Records Requested: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. the total number of use of force incidents in 2022.
2. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by type of force, in 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 for 2022.
4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.
5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.
6. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.
7. the total number of officer-involved shootings in 2022, both fatal and non-fatal.
8. the total number of people who police used force against, broken down by race/ethnicity, in 2022.

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.

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

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
Your request will be forwarded to the relevant City departments for processing. You will be contacted about the availability of the records in question.
PLEASE NOTE: The Texas Public Information Act does not require a governmental body to create new information, to do legal research, or to answer questions.
You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below, and you'll receive an email when your request has been completed.
Thank you,
City of Odessa

--- Please respond above this line ---

RE: Public Information Act Request of October 15, 2023, Reference # P014304-101523
Dear Mr. Samuel Sinyangwe,
The City of Odessa has received your public information request dated 10/15/2023 for the following: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. the total number of use of force incidents in 2022.
2. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by type of force, in 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 for 2022.
4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.
5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.
6. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.
7. the total number of officer-involved shootings in 2022, both fatal and non-fatal.
8. the total number of people who police used force against, broken down by race/ethnicity, in 2022.

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.

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

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
Our current recording system does not allow for the analytical reporting you are requesting.
We have determined that complying with your request will result in the imposition of a charge that exceeds $40.  Therefore, we are providing you with this cost estimate as required by Texas Government Code § 552.2615.  In order to comply with your request as written, I estimate that it will cost $480.00. An itemized cost estimate is available for you to download via the Public Records Center.
Because the estimated charges exceed $100.00, Section 552.263(a) allows the City to require a deposit of 20% before starting work on any portion of your request.  After the deposit is paid and the work is completed, an updated statement will be prepared showing actual final costs to satisfy your request.  If the actual costs are more than $10 higher than your deposit, then you will be required to pay the full balance of costs owed before you receive the copies.  (Balance owed of less than $10 will be waived.)  If the actual costs are less than your deposit, then the unused amount will be refunded to you.
There is a less expensive way for you to obtain this information.  You may narrow the scope of your request, or view the information in person at our offices.  If you choose to view the information in person, please provide me with three dates and times when it will be convenient for you to come.  Please respond in writing using one of the following methods so that there is a record of your response:
* by responding to this email;
* via the Public Records Center;
* via regular mail to Public Information Coordinator, P.O. Box 4398, Odessa, TX  79761; or
* in person at Odessa Police Department, Odessa, TX  79761.
Your request will be considered automatically withdrawn if you do not notify us in writing within ten business days from the date of this letter that you:
(a) accept the charges;
(b) wish to modify your request; OR
(c) have sent to the Open Records Division of the Office of the Attorney General a complaint alleging that you are being overcharged for the information you have requested.
Thank you for your patience in awaiting this information.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Reynier
Public Information Coordinator
432-335-3229

RE: Public Information Act Request of October 15, 2023, Reference# P014304-101523

Dear Mr. Samuel Sinyangwe,

The City of Odessa received your public information request dated 10/15/2023 for the following:
To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. the total number of use of force incidents in 2022.
2. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by type of force, in 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 for 2022.
4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.
5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.
6. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.
7. the total number of officer-involved shootings in 2022, both fatal and non-fatal.
8. the total number of people who police used force against, broken down by race/ethnicity, in 2022.

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.

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

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/

Your request for records has been in "Cost Estimate Sent" status for 10 business days. The City of Odessa considers this request withdrawn in accordance with section 552.2615(b) of the Texas Government Code. If you would still like the records, please submit another Police Records Request.

This is an auto-generated email and has originated from an unmonitored email account. Please DO NOT REPLY

--- Please respond above this line ---

RE: Public Information Act Request of October 15, 2023, Reference # P014304-101523
Dear Mr. Samuel Sinyangwe,
The City of Odessa has received your public information request dated 10/15/2023 for the following: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. the total number of use of force incidents in 2022.
2. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by type of force, in 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 for 2022.
4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.
5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.
6. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained for 2022.
7. the total number of officer-involved shootings in 2022, both fatal and non-fatal.
8. the total number of people who police used force against, broken down by race/ethnicity, in 2022.

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.

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

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
The City of Odessa departments have located the records responsive to your request, and those records are available in the Public Records Center.  Please log in to your online account and retrieve the records.
Thank you for your patience in awaiting this information.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Reynier
Public Information Coordinator
432-335-3229 **Please note that requested records will be disposed at the expiration of the retention period, in accordance with the retention schedule for records of public safety agencies (13 TAC §7.125(a)(5))**