OPRA request - Use of force reports 2017-2019
Dear Berkeley 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:
All use of force reports completed by the police department from January 1st 2017 to December 31st, 2019.
Yours faithfully,
Eric K.
Dear Ms Kim Taeho and Eric K. ,
The Berkeley Township Police Department Records Bureau received your Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request on May 28, 2020. The official Records Custodian, Sandra Brelsford received your OPRA request on the same date. As such, the seven (7) business day deadline to respond to your request is June 8, 2020. This response to your request is being provided to you on the 7th business day after the custodian’s receipt of said request.
Your OPRA request sought access to the following:
1.. All use of force reports completed by the police department from January 1st 2017 to December 31st, 2019.
Amount due for this portion of the request $3.50 for 70 letter size pages printed out and redacted as per Paff v. Twp. of Teaneck (Bergen), GRC Complaint No. 2010-09 (Interim Order dated May 24, 2011): The Council held that “[a]lthough the actual cost of providing records electronically is likely $0.00 pursuant to [Paff v. Gloucester City (Camden), GRC Complaint No. 2009-102 (Interim Order dated April 8, 2010)], because the Custodian had to make copies to redact the requested minutes prior to providing same electronically, the Custodian’s charge of $6.00 represents the actual cost to provide the records to the Complainant pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(b).” Id. at 17. And affirmed by Madlinger vs Berkeley Township GRC Complaint No. 2018-18 Specifically, the Custodian’s assessed $0.47 charge for six (6) legal and one (1) letter sized pages of responsive records is lawful and reasonable, as she had to print and redact the documents prior to electronic disclosure. See N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(b); Paff, GRC 2010-09. 6
All redactions are made pursuant to NJSA 47:1a-1.1 and NJSA 47:1a-9.
Payment can be made by
Via Mail : Berkeley Township Records Bureau, P.O. Box B, Bayville NJ 08721 - Check or Money Order
Because the request was made anonymously please provide a copy of the request or this email so we can insure we are releasing the documents to the correct requestor.
Once Payment is received we will release the documents electronically.
[Subject only] FW: OPRA request - OPRA request - Use of force reports 2017-2019