Michael Dreslinski v. Bellingham Police Department (SPR 20180562)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records May 1,2018 SPR181562 Lieutenant James M. Russell Bellingham Police Department 30 Blackstone Street Bellingham, MA 020 19 Dear Lieutenant Russell: I have received the petition of Michael Dreslinski appealing the response of the Bellingham Police Department (Department) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Specifically, Mr. Dreslinski requested vendor invoices and paint -- and lettering specifications/instructions related to a recently purchased Department vehicle. The Department responded to Mr. Dreslinski's request by providing the vendor invoice. Mr. Dreslinski appealed to this office stating he believed specifications/instructions must exist. Subsequent to the intervention by a member of the Public Records Division staff, the Department confirmed the requested paint and lettering specifications/instructions do not exist. Under the Public Records Law, the Department is not required to create a record in response to a public records request. See G. L. c. 66, 6A(d). The duty to comply with requests for records extends to those records that exist and are in the possession, custody, or control of the custodian of records at the time of the request. See G. L. c. 66, lO(a)(ii). Accordingly, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Michael Dreslinski One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 (617) 727-2832. Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre pre@sec.state.ma.us