OPRA Request – IA 24-08, IAPP Compliance (Newton Police Department)

OPRA Custodian:

Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., and common law right of access where applicable, I respectfully request copies of the following records in the possession, custody, or control of the Town of Newton and/or the Newton Police Department (“NPD”). This request concerns the Internal Affairs matter identified by NPD as “IA 24-08,” and records reflecting NPD’s compliance with the New Jersey Attorney General / Division of Criminal Justice Internal Affairs Policy & Procedures (IAPP) (posted 2022) and related statewide directives.

This request is not for any commercial purpose.
I am requesting these records for informational/public-interest purposes and to understand NPD’s adherence to IAPP and AG Compliance.
I understand certain information may be lawfully redacted under OPRA (e.g., personal identifiers, privileged attorney communications, or other specific exemptions) and I request production of all reasonably segregable, non‑exempt portions. I / We have not been convicted of any crimes in the State of New Jersey.
If NPD asserts any exemption, please cite the specific exemption and provide an index/log sufficient to understand what was withheld (date, sender/recipient, general subject).

I. INTERNAL AFFAIRS FILE – IA 24-08
Please produce the complete Internal Affairs file for IA 24-08, including but not limited to:

1. Complaint intake materials: the original complaint(s), any supplements, acknowledgments, complaint forms, and any written communications to/from the complainant about IA 24-08.
2. Case opening/assignment documents: case initiation record, classification/level assignment, investigator assignment, supervisory approvals, and any conflict screening.
3. Investigative materials: interview recordings/notes/transcripts, witness lists, investigative reports, investigator notes, timelines, and any internal memoranda regarding findings.
4. Evidence materials: evidence logs, chain-of-custody documentation, attachments, exhibits, screenshots, audio/video files, transcripts, and any documentation reflecting review of submitted audio/transcripts.
5. Disposition materials: disposition form(s), findings (e.g., exonerated, unfounded, not sustained, sustained), closing report, command review, final approval, and any notification(s) of disposition to the complainant.
6. Any communications related to IA 24-08 between NPD personnel (including but not limited to the Chief of Police, Internal Affairs officer(s), and Detective/Detective Sergeant Judy Torres), and between NPD and any external agency (including but not limited to the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office), that concern IA 24-08 or the underlying allegations.

II. IAPP COMPLIANCE – NEWTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
Please produce records reflecting NPD’s policies, procedures, training, reporting, and compliance mechanisms under the IAPP and any relevant Attorney General / DCJ directives, including but not limited to:

7. NPD’s Internal Affairs policy, SOPs, and procedures in effect during 2023–2025 (including any versions, revisions, or policy updates), and any materials showing adoption/implementation of the IAPP (posted 2022).
8. Forms and templates used for IA intake, investigation, evidence handling, disposition, and complainant notifications during 2023–2025.
9. Any IA logs, registries, or tracking spreadsheets (or equivalent system exports) reflecting IA case numbers, dates opened/closed, classifications, dispositions, and assigned investigators for 2023–2025 (redact identifiers as required by law, but produce the log).
10. Any audits, inspections, reviews, or compliance assessments (internal or external) regarding NPD’s Internal Affairs function and/or IAPP compliance during 2023–2025.
11. Training records and training materials for NPD personnel related to Internal Affairs intake/investigation procedures and IAPP compliance during 2023–2025 (including course names, dates, attendee lists, and curricula).
12. Any annual “major discipline” reporting documents and/or transparency publications created by NPD or the Town pursuant to Attorney General / DCJ transparency requirements for Internal Affairs investigations during 2023–2025 (including any submissions to a higher authority, if applicable).
13. Records retention schedules or guidance used by NPD for IA files and IA evidence (including audio/video retention), and any policies governing official business conducted via personal devices/accounts if such policies exist.

III. FORMAT, SEARCH, AND PRODUCTION REQUESTS
14) Please produce records electronically where possible (PDF for documents; native format for spreadsheets/logs; and original/native audio/video files where applicable).
15) If any portion of this request is denied, withheld, or redacted, please identify each withheld record (or category) and provide the specific legal basis for withholding/redaction. Please also provide an index or description sufficient to assess the claim of exemption.
16) If responsive records exist but are maintained by a vendor platform or third-party system used by NPD (e.g., RMS/IA tracking), please produce responsive exports or reports from that system.
17) If the request is overly broad in any respect, please provide a written clarification proposal identifying the narrowed categories you believe are feasible, rather than denying the request outright. I am willing to accept rolling production as records are located and processed.

IV. FEES
If fees will be assessed, please provide an itemized written estimate before incurring costs. If any portion may be provided at minimal cost due to electronic availability, please do so.

Thank you for your attention to this request. Please confirm receipt and provide the statutory response within OPRA timelines.

THIS IS A PUBLIC REQUEST.

Dear Town of Newton,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Open Public Records Act reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Town of Newton's handling of my OPRA request 'OPRA Request – IA 24-08, IAPP Compliance (Newton Police Department)'.

A full history of my OPRA request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://opramachine.com/request/opra_req...