Follow-Up OPRA Request: Additional Ramsey Borough Police Department Documents
Dear Ramsey Borough,
I am writing to request public records under OPRA and the common law right of access. Please note that I am not obliged to use an official form for this request.
In my previous OPRA request from September 29, 2023, I had sought the "Manual of the Borough Police Department" and the "Internal Affairs Policy". In response, I received a document titled Rules and Regulations, marked as "Section Number V1 C1", along with the Internal Affairs Policy designated as "Section Number V1 C9".
Upon reviewing the "Manual of the Borough Police Department", I observed multiple references suggesting the existence of additional documents related to the Ramsey Borough Police Department's manual, policies, regulations, or training materials. For instance, on Page 28, there's a mention to reference "V1 C18" concerning "Police Training", and on Page 29, there's an instruction to refer to "V7 C1" regarding "Arrest".
Records Requested:
I hereby request access to the entire collection of Ramsey Borough Police Department's manuals, policies, regulations, and training documents currently in use. This includes, but is not limited to, the document with Section Number "V1 C18" related to "Police Training", and the document with Section Number "V7 C1" pertaining to "Arrest". I also seek any other relevant documents that might exist within this scope.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Please acknowledge receipt of this message.
A.B.W.
Dear Ramsey Borough,
I would appreciate it if you could confirm receipt of my original request. I understand that circumstances like the Columbus Day Holiday can delay processing, but I wish to ensure my request did not get lost or overlooked.
Thanks,
A.B.W.
Meredith Bendian
Borough Clerk
Borough of Ramsey
201-825-3400 X 225
From: Brian Lyman <[email address]>
Sent: Monday, October 2, 2023 9:32 AM
To: [email address]; Meredith Bendian
<[Ramsey Borough request email]>; Bruce Vozeh <[email address]>
Subject: OPRA request
See attached Internal Affairs Policy and Rules and Regulations
Brian M. Lyman
Chief of Police
Ramsey Police Department
25 North Central Ave
Ramsey, NJ 07446
Office 201 327 2400
Fax 201 327 6217
[1][email address]
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Dear Meredith Bendian,
These are two distinct OPRA requests in question. The request I submitted on September 29, 2023 was fulfilled when Mr. Lyman provided the Internal Affairs Policy along with the Rules and Regulations documents
Upon examining these documents, I found references to other manuals and/or policies of the Ramsey Borough Police Department. For example on Page 28, there's a mention to document "V1 C18" concerning "Police Training", and on Page 29, there's an instruction to refer to document "V7 C1" regarding "Arrest".
Subsequently, on October 06, 2023, I placed a new OPRA request. In this new OPRA Request, I'm seeking the complete set of the Ramsey Borough Police Department's manuals, policies, regulations, and training materials presently in force.
** To Reiterate -- Records Requested **:
I hereby request access to the entire collection of Ramsey Borough Police Department's manuals, policies, regulations, and training documents currently in use. This includes, but is not limited to, the document with Section Number "V1 C18" related to "Police Training", and the document with Section Number "V7 C1" pertaining to "Arrest". I also seek any other relevant documents that might exist within this scope.
The documents you provided in response to this second request were identical to those from the September 29, 2023 request. This is not in line with my most recent inquiry.
Please acknowledge your understanding of my current request and let me know if you need any clarifications.
Yours sincerely,
A.B.W.
A.B.W
I have received your request;
"I hereby request access to the entire collection of Ramsey Borough
Police Department's manuals, policies, regulations, and training documents
currently in use. This includes, but is not limited to, the document with
Section Number "V1 C18" related to "Police Training", and the document
with Section Number "V7 C1" pertaining to "Arrest". I also seek any other
relevant documents that might exist within this scope."
The term "that might exist within this scope" does not relate to the
initial request for Rules and Regulations and Internal Affairs Policy. The
entirety of the Department's policies would be outside any scope, since
the vast majority of policies do not relate to one another. The term
"training documents" is too broad and encompasses material that would be
unrelated to one another. If you are looking for training on a particular
subject or topic, please indicate what area you are requesting.
Please reply that you have rece3ived this email.
Best Regards
Brian M. Lyman
Chief of Police
Ramsey Police Department
25 North Central Ave
Ramsey, NJ 07446
Office 201 327 2400
Fax 201 327 6217
[email address]
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended
solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed.
If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager.
This message contains confidential information and is intended only for
the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not
disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender
immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and
delete this e-mail from your system. If you are not the intended recipient
you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any
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prohibited.
══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
From: Meredith Bendian <[Ramsey Borough request email]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2023 12:14 PM
To: Brian Lyman <[email address]>
Subject: FW: OPRA request - Follow-Up OPRA Request: Additional Ramsey
Borough Police Department Documents
Chief,
Please see below.
Meredith Bendian
Borough Clerk
Borough of Ramsey
201-825-3400 X 225
Chief Lyman,
I appreciate your perspective regarding the breadth of my request. Let me clarify my intentions and the specificity I am looking for.
1) While I initially requested the "Manual of the Borough Police Department" and the "Internal Affairs Policy", my further review of the provided documents revealed references to additional sections and policies which I believe may be of relevance to my inquiry. Specifically, as previously mentioned, the document with Section Number "V1 C18" related to "Police Training", and the document with Section Number "V7 C1" pertaining to "Arrest".
2) When I mentioned "training documents", I was referring to formal training materials, guides, or handbooks that officers might use or refer to during their training phase and/or that are considered the formal written "POLICIES & PROCEDURES" of the RAMSEY POLICE DEPARTMENT. If this is too broad, I would be particularly interested in all such RAMSEY POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICIES & PROCEDURE materials related to "Police Conduct", "Use of Force", "Arrest Procedures", "Community Interaction", "Policy Oversight", "Processes to correct unclear or inappropriate agency procedures", and "Internal Affairs".
3) As for the term "that might exist within this scope", my intent was to ensure that I receive all pertinent documents that are related to the above-mentioned topics and the previously referenced sections. I understand and respect the need to maintain clarity and specificity in these requests.
I hope this clarification helps in streamlining the information I am seeking. If there are further issues or if the scope is still too broad, I am more than willing to work with you to narrow it down so as to obtain the relevant documents.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Please confirm receipt of this message.
Yours sincerely,
A.B.W.
A.B.W
Thank you for clarifying. I think I have an understanding of what you are
looking for. I have added the Lieutenant in charge of the Field Training
Phase.
He will forward you policies that are used to guide and train officers who
are newly graduated from the academy.
Since every possible situation that an officer may encounter, cannot
possibly be foreseen, there is no document that is all encompassing.
Therefore, officers must also rely on their own problem solving skills,
experience and good judgement.
Lt. Hines will forward you the policies that form the basis of the initial
training.
Best regards,
Brian M. Lyman
Chief of Police
Ramsey Police Department
25 North Central Ave
Ramsey, NJ 07446
Office 201 327 2400
Fax 201 327 6217
[email address]
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended
solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed.
If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager.
This message contains confidential information and is intended only for
the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not
disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender
immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and
delete this e-mail from your system. If you are not the intended recipient
you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any
action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly
prohibited.
══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
From: A.B.W. <[OPRA #53763 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2023 3:45 PM
To: Brian Lyman <[email address]>
Subject: Re: OPRA request - Follow-Up OPRA Request: Additional Ramsey
Borough Police Department Documents
Chief Lyman,
I appreciate your perspective regarding the breadth of my request. Let me
clarify my intentions and the specificity I am looking for.
1) While I initially requested the "Manual of the Borough Police
Department" and the "Internal Affairs Policy", my further review of the
provided documents revealed references to additional sections and policies
which I believe may be of relevance to my inquiry. Specifically, as
previously mentioned, the document with Section Number "V1 C18" related to
"Police Training", and the document with Section Number "V7 C1" pertaining
to "Arrest".
2) When I mentioned "training documents", I was referring to formal
training materials, guides, or handbooks that officers might use or refer
to during their training phase and/or that are considered the formal
written "POLICIES & PROCEDURES" of the RAMSEY POLICE DEPARTMENT. If this
is too broad, I would be particularly interested in all such RAMSEY POLICE
DEPARTMENT POLICIES & PROCEDURE materials related to "Police Conduct",
"Use of Force", "Arrest Procedures", "Community Interaction", "Policy
Oversight", "Processes to correct unclear or inappropriate agency
procedures", and "Internal Affairs".
3) As for the term "that might exist within this scope", my intent was to
ensure that I receive all pertinent documents that are related to the
above-mentioned topics and the previously referenced sections. I
understand and respect the need to maintain clarity and specificity in
these requests.
I hope this clarification helps in streamlining the information I am
seeking. If there are further issues or if the scope is still too broad, I
am more than willing to work with you to narrow it down so as to obtain
the relevant documents.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Please confirm receipt of this message.
Yours sincerely,
A.B.W.
A.B.W. -
Good morning. I believe that the attached Policies and Procedures will
provide you a good overview of an officer's initial training once
graduated from the Police Academy, as well as their continued in-service
training updates. Also attached is V1C23 "Code of Ethics" as well as
V9C11 "Motor Vehicle Stops" for your consideration. Thank you.
Respectfully,
Lt. Casey Hines #150
Ramsey Police Department
25 N. Central Avenue
Ramsey, NJ 07446
(201) 327-2400 ext. 150
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended
solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed.
If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager.
This message contains confidential information and is intended only for
the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not
disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender
immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and
delete this e-mail from your system. If you are not the intended recipient
you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any
action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly
prohibited.
══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
From: Brian Lyman <[email address]>
Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2023 8:22 AM
To: A.B.W. <[OPRA #53763 email]>; Peter
Scandariato <[email address]>; Meredith Bendian
<[Ramsey Borough request email]>; Casey Hines <[email address]>
Subject: Re: OPRA request - Follow-Up OPRA Request: Additional Ramsey
Borough Police Department Documents
A.B.W
Thank you for clarifying. I think I have an understanding of what you are
looking for. I have added the Lieutenant in charge of the Field Training
Phase.
He will forward you policies that are used to guide and train officers who
are newly graduated from the academy.
Since every possible situation that an officer may encounter, cannot
possibly be foreseen, there is no document that is all encompassing.
Therefore, officers must also rely on their own problem solving skills,
experience and good judgement.
Lt. Hines will forward you the policies that form the basis of the initial
training.
Best regards,
Brian M. Lyman
Chief of Police
Ramsey Police Department
25 North Central Ave
Ramsey, NJ 07446
Office 201 327 2400
Fax 201 327 6217
[email address]
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended
solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed.
If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager.
This message contains confidential information and is intended only for
the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not
disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender
immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and
delete this e-mail from your system. If you are not the intended recipient
you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any
action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly
prohibited.
══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
From: A.B.W. <[OPRA #53763 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2023 3:45 PM
To: Brian Lyman <[email address]>
Subject: Re: OPRA request - Follow-Up OPRA Request: Additional Ramsey
Borough Police Department Documents
Chief Lyman,
I appreciate your perspective regarding the breadth of my request. Let me
clarify my intentions and the specificity I am looking for.
1) While I initially requested the "Manual of the Borough Police
Department" and the "Internal Affairs Policy", my further review of the
provided documents revealed references to additional sections and policies
which I believe may be of relevance to my inquiry. Specifically, as
previously mentioned, the document with Section Number "V1 C18" related to
"Police Training", and the document with Section Number "V7 C1" pertaining
to "Arrest".
2) When I mentioned "training documents", I was referring to formal
training materials, guides, or handbooks that officers might use or refer
to during their training phase and/or that are considered the formal
written "POLICIES & PROCEDURES" of the RAMSEY POLICE DEPARTMENT. If this
is too broad, I would be particularly interested in all such RAMSEY POLICE
DEPARTMENT POLICIES & PROCEDURE materials related to "Police Conduct",
"Use of Force", "Arrest Procedures", "Community Interaction", "Policy
Oversight", "Processes to correct unclear or inappropriate agency
procedures", and "Internal Affairs".
3) As for the term "that might exist within this scope", my intent was to
ensure that I receive all pertinent documents that are related to the
above-mentioned topics and the previously referenced sections. I
understand and respect the need to maintain clarity and specificity in
these requests.
I hope this clarification helps in streamlining the information I am
seeking. If there are further issues or if the scope is still too broad, I
am more than willing to work with you to narrow it down so as to obtain
the relevant documents.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Please confirm receipt of this message.
Yours sincerely,
A.B.W.
Lt. Hines,
Thank you. Your response and attached documents satisfy my request.
Yours sincerely,
A.B.W.
ABW
Attaches is the list of department policies by Volume and Chapter.
Please be aware that not all of these policies may be released in full as
they contain police tactics, or information that pertains to safety and
security.
Brian M. Lyman
Chief of Police
Ramsey Police Department
25 North Central Ave
Ramsey, NJ 07446
Office 201 327 2400
Fax 201 327 6217
[email address]
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended
solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed.
If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager.
This message contains confidential information and is intended only for
the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not
disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender
immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and
delete this e-mail from your system. If you are not the intended recipient
you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any
action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly
prohibited.