New York Police Data (Suffolk County Sheriff's Department)

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:

1. All civilian and internal complaints against officers from 2000-2020, including the names and badge numbers of each officer involved (including witness officers if possible), the type/date/time/location and any other details and descriptions of the allegations, the demographics of each complainant and officer involved, the disposition of any investigation into the incident and any discipline that resulted. I’d prefer this information in spreadsheet form, if possible.
2. All use of force incidents by officers from 2000-2020, including the names and badge numbers of each officer involved, the date/time/location and any other details of each use of force incident, the demographics of the subjects of the force and the officers, the type of force used, any injuries that occurred as a result of the incident, any weapons the subjects were allegedly armed with, the disposition of any investigation into the incident and any discipline that resulted. I’d prefer this information in spreadsheet form, if possible.

Note that since 50-a has now been repealed, this information should be required to be provided to me as per NY law.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. 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.

I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.

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