Christian A. Williams v. Massachusetts State Police (SPR 20211963)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records August 17, 2021 SPR21/1963 Jennifer M. Staples, Esq. Records Access Officer Massachusetts State Police 470 Worcester Road Framingham, MA 01702 Dear Attorney Staples: I have received the petition of Christian A. Williams of Harvard Law School/Criminal Justice Institute appealing the response of the Department of State Police (Department) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On May 2, 2021, Mr. Williams requested, “… police reports and booking sheets for the motor vehicle stop of an [identified person] … on or about 12/30/2000 by [named] State Police Trooper in Milton.” Previous appeals This request was the subject of previous appeals. See SPR21/1223 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (May 26, 2021); SPR21/1497 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (June 29, 2021). The Department responded on August 2, 2021. Unsatisfied with the Department’s response, Mr. Williams petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR21/1963, was opened as a result. The Public Records Law The Public Records Law strongly favors disclosure by creating a presumption that all governmental records are public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A(d); 950 C.M.R. 32.03(4). “Public records” is broadly defined to include all documentary materials or data, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received by any officer or employee of any town of the Commonwealth, unless falling within a statutory exemption. G. L. c. 4, § 7(26). It is the burden of the records custodian to demonstrate the application of an exemption in order to withhold a requested record. G. L. c. 66, § 10(b)(iv); 950 C.M.R. 32.06(3); see also Dist. Attorney for the Norfolk Dist. v. Flatley, 419 Mass. 507, 511 (1995) (custodian has the burden of establishing the applicability of an exemption). To meet the specificity requirement a custodian 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

Jennifer M. Staples, Esq. SPR21/1963 Page 2 August 17, 2021 must not only cite an exemption, but must also state why the exemption applies to the withheld or redacted portion of the responsive record. The Department’s August 2nd Response In its August 2nd response, the Department withheld the requested report pursuant to Exemption (c) of the Public Records Law. In camera inspection In order to facilitate a determination as to the applicability of the Department’s claims to withhold the records in their entirety, the Department must provide this office with an un-redacted copy of the responsive records for in camera inspection. After I complete my review of the documents, I will return the records to your custody and issue an opinion on the public or exempt nature of the record. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(4). The authority to require the submission of records for an in camera inspection emanates from the Code of Massachusetts Regulations, 950 C.M.R. 32.08(4); see also G.L. c. 66, § 1. This office interprets the in camera inspection process to be analogous to that utilized by the judicial system. See Rock v. Massachusetts Comm'n Against Discrimination, 384 Mass. 198, 206 (1981) (administrative agency entitled deference in the interpretation of its own regulations). Records are not voluntarily submitted, but rather are submitted pursuant to an order by this office that an in camera inspection is necessary to make a proper finding. Records are submitted for the limited purpose of review. This office is not the custodian of records examined in camera, therefore, any request made to this office for records being reviewed in camera will be denied. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(4)(c). This office has a long history of cooperation with governmental agencies with respect to in camera inspection. Custodians submit copies of the relevant records to this office upon a promise of confidentiality. This office does not release records reviewed in camera to anyone under any circumstances. Upon a determination of the public record status, records reviewed in camera are promptly returned to the custodian. To operate in any other fashion would seriously impede our ability to function and would certainly affect our credibility within the legal community. Please be aware, any cover letter submitted to accompany the relevant records may be subject to disclosure. Order Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide this office with an un-redacted copy of the requested records for in camera inspection without delay.

Jennifer M. Staples, Esq. SPR21/1963 Page 3 August 17, 2021 Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Christian A. Williams