Higgins, Patrick v. Swansea, Town of - Police Department (SPR 20150533)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Shawn A. Williams Supervisor ofR ecords August 5, 2015 SPRlS/533 Chief George Arruda Swansea Police Department 1700 GAR Highway Swansea, MA 02777 Dear Chief Arruda: I have received the petition of Patrick Higgins appealing the nonresponse of Swansea Police Department (Department) to his request for public records. G. L. c. 66 § 10(b); see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(2). Specifically, Mr. Higgins requested "any reports or other documents in the possession, custody, or control of the Swansea police Department which relates to "Patrick Higgins" from the calendar year 2015." Having received no response, Mr. Higgins petitioned this office. Under the Public Records Law and the Access Regulations (Regulations) all requests for public records must be met with a response within ten (10) days of the request. G. L. c. 66, § lO(b); 950 C.M.R. 32.05. The response may be an offer to provide records, a fee estimate for provision of the records, or a denial. The Department is advised that all records custodians must comply with both the Public Records Law and the Regulations with respect to the timeliness of response. Subsequent to the intervention by a member of my staff, this office was notified that a response was provided, dated June 29, 2015. Whereas this matter was opened based upon the Department's failure to provide a written response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Mr. Higgins may appeal the substantive nature of the Department's response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(2). cc: Patrick Higgins OneAshburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108. (617) 727-2832. Fax (617) 727-5914 www.sec.state.ma.us/pre