Dear Records Custodian,

Under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq.), I request body-worn camera (BWC) recordings only related to the on-scene response and arrest of Justin McGhee, 35, of Ocean Township, a girls’ basketball coach and teacher at Middletown High School North, on or about January 28, 2025, on charges including second-degree sexual assault and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

Please produce up to five clear, non-duplicative BWC recordings showing:

Officers’ initial arrival and approach at the arrest location;

First contact with McGhee, including identification and commands;

Detention and arrest (handcuffing and any on-scene statements captured on BWC);

On-scene officer-to-officer communications about the student sexual-assault investigation and charges (limited to statements in McGhee’s presence or needed for context);

Escort and removal of McGhee from the scene to a law-enforcement vehicle, and departure of arresting/primary investigative personnel.

This request is strictly limited to the single on-scene arrest event of Justin McGhee on or about January 28, 2025. I am not seeking: (a) interviews or statements later at any office, station, or facility; (b) recordings from inside Middletown High School North or any school property (classrooms, hallways, offices, or school surveillance); (c) investigative/forensic work involving other potential victims or dates; (d) any unrelated calls or incidents involving McGhee.

Date/Time: On or about January 28, 2025 (exact time unknown).

Format: Original/native electronic files via download link/portal with timecodes/metadata.

Redactions: Only those required by law; please release all reasonably segregable portions and provide any fully unredacted segments promptly.

Fees / special service charge:
This is a narrow, non-commercial, public-interest request for a small number of specific BWC files via electronic delivery. It should not require an “extraordinary expenditure of time and effort” under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(c); no special service charge should apply. Please confirm electronic production at no cost, and if you believe a special service charge is necessary, do not proceed without my written approval.

Please confirm receipt and advise if any additional detail is needed to locate these records.

Sincerely,
Chris Heckmondike

Dear Middletown Township Police Department,
Please pass this on to the person who conducts Open Public Records Act reviews.
I am writing to request an internal review of Middletown Township Police Department’s handling of my OPRA request titled “OPRA Request – BWC Video, Arrest of Justin McGhee, 1/28/2025” (submitted via OPRAmachine on [11/27/2025]).
What happened (timeline)
1. 11/27/2025 – I submitted my OPRA request for a limited set of body-worn camera recordings relating only to the on-scene response and arrest of Justin McGhee on or about January 28, 2025.
2. 12/8/2025– I received an extension letter from the Department stating that the Department would provide the records and/or a determination by 12/17/2025
3. As of today (December 29, 2025) – I have not received the requested records, a written denial citing specific OPRA exemptions, a lawful redaction explanation, a fee/special service charge estimate, or any further written request for an additional extension.
Why I’m requesting review
Under OPRA, custodians must provide a written response “as soon as possible,” and generally within seven (7) business days of receipt of a complete request. If a custodian fails to respond within the statutory time period, that failure is treated as a denial of access. 
Custodians may seek extensions when necessary, but such extensions should be communicated in writing with a legitimate reason and a timeframe.
What I’m asking the Department to do now
Please complete an internal review and provide, as soon as possible:
1. A written determination granting or denying access to the requested BWC recordings;
2. If any portion is withheld, a response that identifies the specific legal basis for each withholding/redaction and releases all reasonably segregable non-exempt portions;
3. If records will be produced, a firm production date and electronic delivery method (download link/portal);
4. If the Department believes any fee or special service charge applies, an itemized estimate before proceeding.
Please also confirm that all responsive BWC files and associated metadata have been preserved while this review is pending.
A full history of my OPRA request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address:
https://opramachine.com/request/opra_req...
Yours faithfully,
Craig Davison