OPRA: police officer-involved lawsuits 2012-2019
Dear Waterford Township,
This is a request for public records made under OPRA and the common law right of access. I am not required to fill out an official form. Please acknowledge receipt of this message.
Records requested:
1. A list of all lawsuits and cases in which any officer of the police department was involved between 2012 and 2019. For each lawsuit/case, please provide the date (month and year) of the alleged incident at issue, whether the alleged incident was excessive force, settlement amount (if any), and final compensation amount ruled (if any).
2. Please provide copies of the complaint in any lawsuits and cases described above.
Yours faithfully,
UC Research
To Whom it May Concern:
At this time, your request requires an additional 45 days beyond the seven (7) business days to review, and if appropriate, provide the documents to fulfill your request. As you know, OPRA allows custodians to seek extensions of the time pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(i). In addition, the statute has recently been amended to provide that the normal deadlines shall not apply, provided however, that the custodian of a governmental record shall make a reasonable effort, as the circumstances permit, to respond to a request for access to a governmental record within seven (7) business days or as soon as possible thereafter. Be advised that we are making a reasonable effort, as the circumstances permit, to review and respond to your request, which includes an extension of time as needed. I anticipate being able to respond to your request by August 12.
Dawn M. Liedtka, RMC, CMR
Waterford Township Clerk and Registrar
2131 Auburn Avenue
Atco, NJ 08004
p. 856-768-2300 ext. 221
Good Afternoon.
The Township of Waterford received your Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request on June 8, 2020. The OPRA statute has recently been amended (due to the COVID-19 pandemic) to provide that the normal deadlines shall not apply, provided however, that the custodian of a governmental record shall make a reasonable effort, as the circumstances permit, to respond to a request for access to a governmental record within seven (7) business days or as soon as possible thereafter. Be advised that we made a reasonable effort, as the circumstances permitted, to review and respond to your request.
The following documents are attached and are responsive to your request:
1. A list of all lawsuits and cases in which any officer of the police department was involved between 2012 and 2019. For each lawsuit/case, please provide the date (month and year) of the alleged incident at issue, whether the alleged incident was excessive force, settlement amount (if any), and final compensation amount ruled (if any) and copies of the complaint in any lawsuits and cases described above.
These records are being transmitted to you via email as per your request. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5.b., the cost associated with this request is zero ($ 0).
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 Township of Waterford to deny access. At your option, you may either institute a proceeding in the Superior Court of New Jersey or file a complaint with the Government Records Council (GRC) by completing the Denial of Access Complaint Form. 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 [email address], or at their web site at www.state.nj.us/grc. The GRC can also answer other questions about the law. All questions regarding complaints filed in Superior Court should be directed to the Court Clerk in your County.
Respectfully,
Dawn M. Liedtka, RMC, CMR
Waterford Township Clerk and Registrar
2131 Auburn Avenue
Atco, NJ 08004
p. 856-768-2300 ext. 221