Internal Affairs Report OPRA Request
Dear Camden County,
Please accept this electronic request for public records made under OPRA and the common law right of access. I am not required to fill out an official form or use a particular software platform to submit my request per NJSA 47:1A-6(f), which states that an email from a requestor including all of the information required on the adopted form shall suffice in place of a completed form as a valid government record request.
This request seeks records relating to the Internal Affairs matter regarding Detective Clayton Gonzalez, according to the New Jersey Major Discipline Reporting 2022. I seek the following records pursuant to the common law right of access and Rivera v. Union County Prosecutor’s Office, 250 N.J. 124 (2022);
1. The Internal Affairs Report for the above-mentioned incident.
The Rivera factors apply because:
1. The nature and seriousness of the misconduct.
According to the Report, while acting as a lead investigator for a juvenile sexual assault case, Detective Gonzalez was hostile and utilized harsh and profane language, which, as a result, retraumatized the juvenile victim. Such misconduct was, clearly, against public policy, especially when as a society, it is important to not only incentivize juvenile sexual assault victims to report, but also be treated with professionalism for when juvenile victims are at most vulnerable.
2. The alleged misconduct was substantiated.
The conduct was substantiated, as Detective Gonzalez was terminated as a result.
3. The nature of the discipline imposed.
The graveness of the conduct was apparent from the discipline imposed as well. Detective Gonzalez was terminated as a result.
4. The nature of the official’s position.
Detective Gonzalez was not a patrolmen or low-rank officer. He was, instead, the leading detective, on-duty.
5. The individual’s record of misconduct.
Finally, there was also a more recent case in which Mr. Gonzalez engaged in violent behavior even after leaving the police department. Detective Gonzalez was terminated for numerous violations:
1. Incompetency
2. Inefficiency or failure to perform duty
3. Inability to perform
4. Conduct unbecoming
5. Neglect of duty
6. Standards of conduct
7. Obedience to laws and regulations
8. Truthfulness
9. Performance of duty
10. Work expectation
11. Withholding information
12. Respect compromising criminal cases
13. Conduct towards the public
14. Code of ethics
Under penalty of N.J.S.A. 2C:28-3, I certify that:
1. I, or another person will not use the requested records for a commercial purpose.
2. I am not seeking records in connection with a legal proceeding.
3. I have not been convicted of an indictable offence.
Yours faithfully,
Makoto
Dear Makoto ,
Thank you for registering with the Camden County Open Public Records
Center. Please log in to the Records Center to update any contact or
password information and to track the progress of your request.
Login: [OPRA #68074 email]
If you have never used this system or cannot remember your password, you
may request a temporary password here:
Request Temporary Password [1]here.
This is an auto-generated email and has originated from an unmonitored
email account. Please DO NOT REPLY.
References
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1. https://camdencountynj.mycusthelp.com/we...
Steffani Lon
Custodian of Records Telephone: (856) 225 – 2131
Camden County Administration
520 Market Street, 8th Floor
Camden, NJ 08102-1375
Dear Makoto :
Thank you for submitting an Open Public Records request with Camden
County. Your request was given the reference number W030442-101824 for
tracking purposes.
Our office will forward your request to the appropriate Department for
their review and search of their files for the requested records. A
written response will be sent to you within seven business days or sooner
depending on the type of records requested.
Please note that day one of the calculation begins the day after the
custodian receives your OPRA request. This calculation applies to the
agency’s actual business days of operations which are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. If the agency is closed for a Holiday, this date does not count
towards the seven business day deadline. Any request received after the
close of business will be deemed received on the next business day.
You may monitor the progress of your request at the link below.
Additionally, you will receive an email from our office to inform you when
your request has been completed and a response is posted at the below
link.
Again, thank you for using the Open Public Records Center.
Open Public Records Center
- [1]http://www.camdencounty.com/open-public-...
Steffani Lon
Custodian of Records
References
Visible links
1. https://u8387795.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/clic...
--- Please respond above this line ---
Steffani Lon
Custodian of Records Telephone: (856) 225 – 2131
Camden County Administration
520 Market Street, 8th Floor
Camden, NJ 08102-1375
Please DO NOT REPLY to this email. This mailbox is not monitored and you
will not receive a response. FOR FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE PLEASE send an
email to [1][email address] or GENERATE A NEW REQUEST
THROUGH THE OPEN RECORDS CENTER.
10/29/2024
RE: OPRA Request of 10/18/2024, Reference # W030442-101824
Dear Makoto,
The Camden County Custodian of Records received your Open Public Records
Act request on 10/18/2024. To access your request please click [2]here.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5.i, we require an extension of time to allow
the Department's personnel to conduct an extensive search for the
requested records.
We anticipate that we will have a response ready for you on or about
November 27, 2024.
Should you have any questions, please contact the Custodian of Records at
(856) 225-2131.
Sincerely,
Steffani Lon
Steffani Lon
Custodian of Records
Camden County
Office of Archives & Records Management
Courthouse, 8th Floor
520 Market Street
Camden, NJ 08102-1375
Phone: (856) 225-2131
E-mail: [3][email address]
This is an auto-generated email and has originated from an unmonitored
email account. Please DO NOT REPLY. FOR FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE PLEASE
GENERATE A NEW REQUEST THROUGH THE OPEN RECORDS CENTER.
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://u8387795.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/clic...
3. mailto:[email address]
--- Please respond above this line ---
Steffani Lon
Custodian of Records Telephone: (856) 225 – 2131
Camden County Administration
520 Market Street, 8th Floor
Camden, NJ 08102-1375
Please DO NOT REPLY to this email. This mailbox is not monitored and you
will not receive a response. FOR FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE PLEASE send an
email to [1][email address] or GENERATE A NEW REQUEST
THROUGH THE OPEN RECORDS CENTER.
11/27/2024
Makoto,
RE: OPRA REQUEST of 10/18/2024, Reference # W030442-101824
Dear Makoto,
The Camden County Custodian of Records received your Open Public Records
Act request on 10/18/2024. To access your request and retrieve your
records please click [2]here.
Internal affairs records are exempt from release under OPRA pursuant to
N.J.S.A. 47:1A-10; Executive Order #11:2 – Governor Brendan Byrne –
November 15, 1979 - Personnel & Pension records, as is required by
N.J.S.A. 47:1A-6.
However, the Camden County Police Department provided records responsive
to your request, under Common Law.
Please note, we have redacted the other officers' disciplinary reports
that were not requested.
As such, this correspondence and the records provided constitutes
completion of your request.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, et seq. if your request for access to a
government record has been denied or unfilled within the seven (7)
business days required by law, you have a right to challenge the decision
by the County of Camden to deny access. As provided by law, you have the
right to either institute a proceeding in the Superior Court of New Jersey
or file a complaint with the Government Records Council (GRC) by
completing their Denial of Access Complaint Form located at the GRC’s
website at [3]www.state.nj.us/grc.
You may contact the GRC by toll-free telephone at 866-850-0511, by mail at
P.O. Box 819, Trenton, NJ, 08625, by e-mail at [4][email address]. The
GRC can also answer other questions about the law. All questions regarding
complaints filed in Superior Court should be directed to the Superior
Court.
For a list of government records or information exempt from disclosure
which should not be provided to requestors of government records, please
click the following
link: [5]https://www.nj.gov/grc/public/exempt/OPR...
Should you have any questions, please contact the Custodian of Records at
(856) 225-2131.
Sincerely,
Steffani Lon
Steffani Lon
Custodian of Records
Camden County
Office of Archives & Records Management
Courthouse, 8th Floor
520 Market Street
Camden, NJ 08102-1375
Phone: (856) 225-2131
E-mail: [6][email address]
This is an auto-generated email and has originated from an unmonitored
email account. Please DO NOT REPLY. FOR FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE PLEASE
GENERATE A NEW REQUEST THROUGH THE OPEN RECORDS CENTER.
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://u8387795.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/clic...
3. file:///tmp/www.state.nj.us/grc
4. mailto:[email address]
5. https://u8387795.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/clic...
6. mailto:[email address]