Body camera footage and reports
Dear Records Custodian:
Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq.) and the New Jersey common law right of access, I hereby request access to and copies of all records relating to an incident that occurred on June 5, 2025, in the parking lot of the Oakland Police Department involving myself, Colleen Bishop, and a friend.
This request includes, without limitation:
1. All body-worn camera footage from all Oakland Police Department officers present.
2. All audio recordings, including dispatch audio, radio transmissions, and telephone calls made or received in relation to this incident.
3. All written documentation, including but not limited to incident reports, investigation notes, memos, call logs, and internal communications.
4. All communications to and from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office concerning this incident, including emails, telephone call records, notes, and correspondence.
5. Any surveillance or security camera footage from the Oakland Police Department property capturing the incident.
⸻
Legal Basis Under OPRA
• OPRA requires broad disclosure of government records and its exemptions must be narrowly construed (Mason v. Hoboken, 196 N.J. 51 (2008)).
• The “criminal investigatory records” exemption does not apply to records that agencies are required by law to create and maintain (North Jersey Media Group v. Lyndhurst, 229 N.J. 541 (2017)). Body camera recordings, dispatch records, and reports are required records.
• Since the incident occurred on public property and I was an active participant, there is no objectively reasonable expectation of privacy that would justify withholding.
⸻
Legal Basis Under Common Law
Even if OPRA exemptions are asserted, I am entitled to these records under the New Jersey common law right of access. Under the common law test:
1. The records are public records. They were made by public officers in the course of their official duties.
2. I have a particularized interest. As a named participant in the incident, I have a direct and personal stake in reviewing the records for accuracy and accountability.
3. The balance of interests favors disclosure. The public’s interest in police accountability and transparency, and my personal stake in accessing records directly concerning me, outweigh any generalized claim of confidentiality or institutional interest in secrecy.
Courts have recognized that where a requester has a legitimate personal interest, the balance strongly favors release (Keddie v. Rutgers, The State University, 148 N.J. 36 (1997)).
⸻
Format & Handling
Please provide all responsive records in electronic format (via email or secure digital download). If records are too large to transmit by email, please produce them on a DVD, USB, or other electronic medium.
If you withhold or redact any portion, provide a written index of the withheld materials and the specific legal authority claimed for each denial or redaction, sufficient to allow judicial or Government Records Council review.
⸻
Conclusion
This request is made under both OPRA and common law. If OPRA is deemed inapplicable, you are still legally required to process and respond to this request under the common law right of access.
I look forward to your response within the seven (7) business days required under OPRA and without unreasonable delay under common law.
Sincerely,
Colleen Bishop
[email address]
Received
Wendi Seelin
Acting Borough Clerk
Borough Of Oakland
1 Municipal Plaza
Oakland, NJ 07436
(201)337-8111 ext 2001
══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
From: Colleen Bishop
<[OPRA #81648 email]>
Sent: Friday, October 3, 2025 4:22 PM
To: Wendi Seelin <[Oakland Borough request email]>
Subject: OPRA request - Body camera footage and reports
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not
click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know
the content is safe.
Dear Records Custodian:
Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et
seq.) and the New Jersey common law right of access, I hereby request
access to and copies of all records relating to an incident that occurred
on June 5, 2025, in the parking lot of the Oakland Police Department
involving myself, Colleen Bishop, and a friend.
This request includes, without limitation:
1. All body-worn camera footage from all Oakland Police Department
officers present.
2. All audio recordings, including dispatch audio, radio
transmissions, and telephone calls made or received in relation to this
incident.
3. All written documentation, including but not limited to incident
reports, investigation notes, memos, call logs, and internal
communications.
4. All communications to and from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s
Office concerning this incident, including emails, telephone call records,
notes, and correspondence.
5. Any surveillance or security camera footage from the Oakland
Police Department property capturing the incident.
⸻
Legal Basis Under OPRA
• OPRA requires broad disclosure of government records and its
exemptions must be narrowly construed (Mason v. Hoboken, 196 N.J. 51
(2008)).
• The “criminal investigatory records” exemption does not apply to
records that agencies are required by law to create and maintain (North
Jersey Media Group v. Lyndhurst, 229 N.J. 541 (2017)). Body camera
recordings, dispatch records, and reports are required records.
• Since the incident occurred on public property and I was an
active participant, there is no objectively reasonable expectation of
privacy that would justify withholding.
⸻
Legal Basis Under Common Law
Even if OPRA exemptions are asserted, I am entitled to these records under
the New Jersey common law right of access. Under the common law test:
1. The records are public records. They were made by public
officers in the course of their official duties.
2. I have a particularized interest. As a named participant in the
incident, I have a direct and personal stake in reviewing the records for
accuracy and accountability.
3. The balance of interests favors disclosure. The public’s
interest in police accountability and transparency, and my personal stake
in accessing records directly concerning me, outweigh any generalized
claim of confidentiality or institutional interest in secrecy.
Courts have recognized that where a requester has a legitimate personal
interest, the balance strongly favors release (Keddie v. Rutgers, The
State University, 148 N.J. 36 (1997)).
⸻
Format & Handling
Please provide all responsive records in electronic format (via email or
secure digital download). If records are too large to transmit by email,
please produce them on a DVD, USB, or other electronic medium.
If you withhold or redact any portion, provide a written index of the
withheld materials and the specific legal authority claimed for each
denial or redaction, sufficient to allow judicial or Government Records
Council review.
⸻
Conclusion
This request is made under both OPRA and common law. If OPRA is deemed
inapplicable, you are still legally required to process and respond to
this request under the common law right of access.
I look forward to your response within the seven (7) business days
required under OPRA and without unreasonable delay under common law.
Sincerely,
Colleen Bishop
[email address]
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October 14, 2025
VIA EMAIL: [OPRA #81648 email]
Colleen Bishop
RE: OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS ACT (OPRA) REQUEST
BOROUGH OF OAKLAND
REFERENCE #OP738-2025
Dear Ms. Bishop:
The Borough of Oakland Records Custodian has received your Open Public
Records Act (OPRA) request on 10/7/25. The seven (7) business day deadline
to respond to your request is 10/16/25.
Your request seeks the following records:
Dear Records Custodian:
Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et
seq.) and the New Jersey common law right of access, I hereby request
access to and copies of all records relating to an incident that occurred
on June 5, 2025, in the parking lot of the Oakland Police Department
involving myself, Colleen Bishop, and a friend.
This request includes, without limitation:
1. All body-worn camera footage from all Oakland Police Department
officers present.
2. All audio recordings, including dispatch audio, radio
transmissions, and telephone calls made or received in relation to this
incident.
3. All written documentation, including but not limited to incident
reports, investigation notes, memos, call logs, and internal
communications.
4. All communications to and from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s
Office concerning this incident, including emails, telephone call records,
notes, and correspondence.
5. Any surveillance or security camera footage from the Oakland
Police Department property capturing the incident.
Legal Basis Under OPRA
• OPRA requires broad disclosure of government records, and its
exemptions must be narrowly construed (Mason v. Hoboken, 196 N.J. 51
(2008)).
• The “criminal investigatory records” exemption does not apply to
records that agencies are required by law to create and maintain (North
Jersey Media Group v. Lyndhurst, 229 N.J. 541 (2017)). Body camera
recordings, dispatch records, and reports are required records.
• Since the incident occurred on public property and I was an
active participant, there is no objectively reasonable expectation of
privacy that would justify withholding.
Legal Basis Under Common Law
Even if OPRA exemptions are asserted, I am entitled to these records under
the New Jersey common law right of access. Under the common law test:
1. The records are public records. They were made by public
officers in the course of their official duties.
2. I have a particularized interest. As a named participant in the
incident, I have a direct and personal stake in reviewing the records for
accuracy and accountability.
3. The balance of interests favors disclosure. The public’s
interest in police accountability and transparency, and my personal stake
in accessing records directly concerning me, outweigh any generalized
claim of confidentiality or institutional interest in secrecy.
Courts have recognized that where a requester has a legitimate personal
interest, the balance strongly favors release (Keddie v. Rutgers, The
State University, 148 N.J. 36 (1997)).
Format & Handling
Please provide all responsive records in electronic format (via email or
secure digital download). If records are too large to transmit by email,
please produce them on a DVD, USB, or other electronic medium.
If you withhold or redact any portion, provide a written index of the
withheld materials and the specific legal authority claimed for each
denial or redaction, sufficient to allow judicial or Government Records
Council review.
Conclusion
This request is made under both OPRA and common law. If OPRA is deemed
inapplicable, you are still legally required to process and respond to
this request under the common law right of access.
I look forward to your response within the seven (7) business days
required under OPRA and without unreasonable delay under common law.
Sincerely,
Colleen Bishop
[email address]
Response:
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(f), a valid OPRA request must include all
information required by the custodian’s official request form. The Borough
of Oakland’s OPRA form includes three required questions that must be
answered by the requestor:
Whether the request is being made for a commercial purpose.
Whether the requestor has been convicted of an indictable offense.
The requestor’s full name and contact information.
Your recent submission did not provide answers to these required
questions. As a result, your request is considered incomplete and cannot
be processed at this time.
Please complete and resubmit the OPRA form with all required information
so that we may proceed with your request. The form can be found
at:[1]https://www.oakland-nj.org/sites/g/files...
or obtained by contacting the Clerk’s Office.
No records have been released at this time. Upon receipt of a properly
completed OPRA request, we will process it in accordance with the
statutory timeframes under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq.
The request is overly broad, while you have provided a location, the
Borough requires a time frame to determine whether it can provide the
requested footage and/or if any such footage exists.
Sincerely,
This response to your request is being provided to you on the third
business day after the custodian’s receipt of said request. These records
are being transmitted to you via email,
as per your request. Your request is now marked as closed and deemed
complete. Should you have any additional questions, please do not
hesitate to contact our office.
Sincerely,
Wendi Seelin
Acting Borough Clerk
Borough Of Oakland
1 Municipal Plaza
Oakland, NJ 07436
(201)337-8111 ext 2001
References
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Dear Ms. Bishop,
I sent you the below email on October 14, 2025. I have not received back
from you the required answered questions. To process your Open Public
Records Request I must have these three questions answered. Since you have
failed to respond to my request your Open Public Records Request is deemed
closed.
Regards,
Wendi Seelin, CMR
Acting Borough Clerk
Borough Of Oakland
1 Municipal Plaza
Oakland, NJ 07436
(201)337-8111 ext 2001
══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
From: Wendi Seelin <[Oakland Borough request email]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2025 1:26 PM
To: Colleen Bishop <[OPRA #81648 email]>
Cc: Wendi Seelin <[Oakland Borough request email]>
Subject: OPRA request OP738-2025
October 14, 2025
VIA EMAIL: [OPRA #81648 email]
Colleen Bishop
RE: OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS ACT (OPRA) REQUEST
BOROUGH OF OAKLAND
REFERENCE #OP738-2025
Dear Ms. Bishop:
The Borough of Oakland Records Custodian has received your Open Public
Records Act (OPRA) request on 10/7/25. The seven (7) business day deadline
to respond to your request is 10/16/25.
Your request seeks the following records:
Dear Records Custodian:
Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et
seq.) and the New Jersey common law right of access, I hereby request
access to and copies of all records relating to an incident that occurred
on June 5, 2025, in the parking lot of the Oakland Police Department
involving myself, Colleen Bishop, and a friend.
This request includes, without limitation:
1. All body-worn camera footage from all Oakland Police Department
officers present.
2. All audio recordings, including dispatch audio, radio
transmissions, and telephone calls made or received in relation to this
incident.
3. All written documentation, including but not limited to incident
reports, investigation notes, memos, call logs, and internal
communications.
4. All communications to and from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s
Office concerning this incident, including emails, telephone call records,
notes, and correspondence.
5. Any surveillance or security camera footage from the Oakland
Police Department property capturing the incident.
Legal Basis Under OPRA
• OPRA requires broad disclosure of government records, and its
exemptions must be narrowly construed (Mason v. Hoboken, 196 N.J. 51
(2008)).
• The “criminal investigatory records” exemption does not apply to
records that agencies are required by law to create and maintain (North
Jersey Media Group v. Lyndhurst, 229 N.J. 541 (2017)). Body camera
recordings, dispatch records, and reports are required records.
• Since the incident occurred on public property and I was an
active participant, there is no objectively reasonable expectation of
privacy that would justify withholding.
Legal Basis Under Common Law
Even if OPRA exemptions are asserted, I am entitled to these records under
the New Jersey common law right of access. Under the common law test:
1. The records are public records. They were made by public
officers in the course of their official duties.
2. I have a particularized interest. As a named participant in the
incident, I have a direct and personal stake in reviewing the records for
accuracy and accountability.
3. The balance of interests favors disclosure. The public’s
interest in police accountability and transparency, and my personal stake
in accessing records directly concerning me, outweigh any generalized
claim of confidentiality or institutional interest in secrecy.
Courts have recognized that where a requester has a legitimate personal
interest, the balance strongly favors release (Keddie v. Rutgers, The
State University, 148 N.J. 36 (1997)).
Format & Handling
Please provide all responsive records in electronic format (via email or
secure digital download). If records are too large to transmit by email,
please produce them on a DVD, USB, or other electronic medium.
If you withhold or redact any portion, provide a written index of the
withheld materials and the specific legal authority claimed for each
denial or redaction, sufficient to allow judicial or Government Records
Council review.
Conclusion
This request is made under both OPRA and common law. If OPRA is deemed
inapplicable, you are still legally required to process and respond to
this request under the common law right of access.
I look forward to your response within the seven (7) business days
required under OPRA and without unreasonable delay under common law.
Sincerely,
Colleen Bishop
[email address]
Response:
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(f), a valid OPRA request must include all
information required by the custodian’s official request form. The Borough
of Oakland’s OPRA form includes three required questions that must be
answered by the requestor:
Whether the request is being made for a commercial purpose.
Whether the requestor has been convicted of an indictable offense.
The requestor’s full name and contact information.
Your recent submission did not provide answers to these required
questions. As a result, your request is considered incomplete and cannot
be processed at this time.
Please complete and resubmit the OPRA form with all required information
so that we may proceed with your request. The form can be found
at:[1]https://www.oakland-nj.org/sites/g/files...
or obtained by contacting the Clerk’s Office.
No records have been released at this time. Upon receipt of a properly
completed OPRA request, we will process it in accordance with the
statutory timeframes under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq.
The request is overly broad, while you have provided a location, the
Borough requires a time frame to determine whether it can provide the
requested footage and/or if any such footage exists.
This response to your request is being provided to you on the third
business day after the custodian’s receipt of said request. These records
are being transmitted to you via email,
as per your request. Your request is now marked as closed and deemed
complete. Should you have any additional questions, please do not
hesitate to contact our office.
Sincerely,
Wendi Seelin
Acting Borough Clerk
Borough Of Oakland
1 Municipal Plaza
Oakland, NJ 07436
(201)337-8111 ext 2001
References
Visible links
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