Writing on DOJ-mandated police reform by guild president Rich O'Neill

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to RCW Ch. 42.56 (Public Records Act), I hereby request the following records:

1. Drafts and published versions of writings by Richard F. "Rich" O'Neill #4451, Guild President, Seattle Police Department, for the monthly publication _The Guardian_, since the Department of Justice Investigation of the department was opened in March, 2011. This should include but not be limited to those articles referenced by Steve Miletich and Lynn Thompson of _Seattle Times_ in their [April 23, 2013 article, "City of Seattle wants to stop paying police union head's salary,"][1] wherein they wrote, "O'Neill and union Vice President Sgt. Ty Elster have sharply criticized the Justice Department's finding in the union's newspaper, The Guardian, even as O'Neill has maintained the guild is not opposed to reform."

[1]: <http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020845337_guildsalaryxml.html>

2. All written correspondence (e.g., memos, e-mails, etc.) from Rich O'Neill since March, 2011, that includes any of the following phrases: Department of Justice, DOJ, Thomas Perez, pattern and practice, excessive force, biased policing, Pete Holmes, consent decree, Merrick Bobb, reform, 20/20

3. All e-mail to and from Rich O'Neill between April 18, 2013 and the date of processing of this request

4. All metadata from the above

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

In the event that fees cannot be waived, 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,

Phil Mocek

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on April 25, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.

Thank you for your help.

RE: my public records request of April 25, 2013 (your identifier: P2013-1550)

Dear Sir or Madam:

I appeal. Mr. Oneill is a public employee. Documents authored by him on the job that are not specifically exempted from the PRA are public record.

Cordially,
Phil Mocek

August 8, 2013

RE: my public records request of April 25, 2013 (your identifier: P2013-1550)

Dear Sir or Madam:

I appeal. Mr. Oneill is a public employee. Documents authored by him on the job that are not specifically exempted from the PRA are public record.

Cordially,
Phil Mocek

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On July 19, 2013:

As this file failed to email due to size a second time - I will burn a CD and send it via USPS today.

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On July 19, 2013:

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On July 19, 2013:

Had to break email 2 of 2 into two additional emails as it was returned undeliverable - see attached.

Bonnie Voegele, Records Manager
206.684.5446

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On July 19, 2013:

RE: Public Disclosure Request # P2013-1550 email 1 of 2

Dear Mr. Mocek,

This letter is in response to your public disclosure request dated May 15, 2013 for records related to SPD Guild President Richard F. O'Neill #4452.

1. . As the Guardian is a private union newspaper and not owned or operated by the Seattle Police Department, SPD has no responsive records. Additionally the Guardian get sent to the home address of the recipients, and copies are not maintained by the department in any official capacity.

2. Please see responsive document titled "Terms" - A search of emails from 03-01-11 to present for the following terms:
Department of Justice
DOJ
Thomas Perez
pattern and practice
excessive force
biased policing
Pete Holmes
consent decree
Merrick Bobb
Reform
20/20

3a. Please see responsive document titled "From O'Neill" - List of emails from 04-18-13 to May 23, 2013 sent from Richard O'Neill
3b. Please see responsive document titled "To O'Neill" - List of emails from 04-18-13 to May 23, 2013 sent to Richard O'Neill.

You may file a written appeal with the Chief of Police within ten (10) business days from the date of this letter. Please include your name and address and a copy of this letter together with a brief statement identifying the basis of the appeal. Please mail or deliver your appeal to:

Chief of Police
Seattle Police Department
PO Box 34986
Seattle, WA 98124-4986

If you have any questions, please contact the Public Disclosure Desk at 206-684-5481.

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On June 19, 2013:

RE: Public Disclosure Request # P2013-1550

Dear Mr. Mocek,

This letter is in response to your public disclosure request dated May 15, 2013 for records related to SPD Guild President Richard F. O'Neill #4452.

We still need additional time to process your request. We anticipate a response to you on or about July 26, 2013.

This additional time is used to research this request, collect responsive records, and/or prepare records for dissemination. Please note: Seattle Police Department currently receives approximately 5,000 public disclosure requests annually.

If you have any questions or need further assistance with this request, please contact the Public Disclosure Desk at 206-684-5481.

Sincerely,

Jim Pugel
Chief of Police

Tracy Whitlatch
Administrative Specialist II
Public Disclosure Unit

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On May 15, 2013:

RE: Public Disclosure Request # P2013-1550

Dear Mr. Mocek,

This letter is in response to your public disclosure request dated April 25, 2013 and received by Seattle Police Department’s Public Disclosure Unit on April 25, 2013 for records related to Richard O'Neill. We still need additional time to respond to your request and apologize for the delay. We anticipate a response to you on or about June 21, 2013.

This additional time is used to research this request, collect responsive records, and/or prepare records for dissemination. Please note: Seattle Police Department currently receives approximately 4,000 public disclosure requests annually. The current volume of Public Disclosure Requests combined with SPD staffing and City-wide budget cuts requires this additional time.

If you have any questions, please contact the Public Disclosure Desk at 206-684-5481.

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On May 15, 2013:

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on April 25, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.

Thank you for your help.

---

On April 25, 2013:

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to RCW Ch. 42.56 (Public Records Act), I hereby request the following records:

1. Drafts and published versions of writings by Richard F. "Rich" O'Neill #4451, Guild President, Seattle Police Department, for the monthly publication _The Guardian_, since the Department of Justice Investigation of the department was opened in March, 2011. This should include but not be limited to those articles referenced by Steve Miletich and Lynn Thompson of _Seattle Times_ in their [April 23, 2013 article, "City of Seattle wants to stop paying police union head's salary,"][1] wherein they wrote, "O'Neill and union Vice President Sgt. Ty Elster have sharply criticized the Justice Department's finding in the union's newspaper, The Guardian, even as O'Neill has maintained the guild is not opposed to reform."

[1]: <http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020845337_guildsalaryxml.html>

2. All written correspondence (e.g., memos, e-mails, etc.) from Rich O'Neill since March, 2011, that includes any of the following phrases: Department of Justice, DOJ, Thomas Perez, pattern and practice, excessive force, biased policing, Pete Holmes, consent decree, Merrick Bobb, reform, 20/20

3. All e-mail to and from Rich O'Neill between April 18, 2013 and the date of processing of this request

4. All metadata from the above

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

In the event that fees cannot be waived, 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,

Phil Mocek

Filed via MuckRock.com
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