The Township of Bloomfield has received your OPRA request. Please be
advised due to the current COVID-19 related state of emergency, the New
Jersey Legislature is providing for exception to the deadlines otherwise
required for OPRA responses.

The bill states:  During a period declared pursuant to the laws of this
State as a state of emergency, public health emergency, or state of local
31 disaster emergency, the deadlines by which to respond to a request
 for, or grant or deny access to, a government record under paragraph (1)
of this subsection or subsection e. of this section shall  not apply,
provided, however, that the custodian of a government record shall make a
reasonable effort, as the circumstances permit, to respond to a request
for access to a government record within  seven business days or as soon
as possible thereafter.

Since town hall employees are currently  working remotely, we may require
an extension to fulfill your request if we cannot meet the usual 7
business day deadline.

We will make every effort possible to respond as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Best regards,

Marcela Vasquez

Clerk Typist

Municipal Clerk's Office

(973) 680 - 4015

The Township of Bloomfield received your Open Public Records Act (OPRA)
Request on April 9, 2020.  As such, the seven (7) business day deadline to
respond to your request is April 21, 2020.  This response to your request
is being provided to you on the 5^th business day after the Township’s
receipt of said request.

Your OPRA request sought access to the following:

“All Police Use of Force Report Forms, Each Individual Form, Suspect Names
Redacted if required, from year beginning January 1 2016 through and up to
and including December 31 2018.”

The following records are being provided in their entirety and are the
ONLY documents in the Township’s possession responsive to your request:

1.       From the Township’s Police Department Response 1 (127 pages) –Use
of Force Report.

2.       From the Township’s Police Department Response 2 (102 pages) –Use
of Force Report.

3.       From the Township’s Police Department Response 3 (69 pages) –Use
of Force Report.

4.       From the Township’s Police Department Response 4 (2 pages) –
Denial Form explanation.

These records are being transmitted to you via email, as per your request.

If your request for access to a government record has been denied or
unfulfilled within the seven (7) business days required by law, you have a
right to challenge the decision by the Township of Bloomfield 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, New Jersey, 08625, by e-mail at
[1][email address], or at their website at [2]www.state.nj.us/grc. 
The GRC can also answer other questions about the law.  All questions
regarding complaints filed in the Superior Court should be directed to the
Court Clerk in your County.

Best regards,

Marcela Vasquez

Clerk Typist

Municipal Clerk's Office

(973) 680 - 4015

References

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1. mailto:[email address]
2. http://www.state.nj.us/grc