Todd Wallack v. Lawrence, City of - Police Department (SPR 20212063)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records August 27, 2021 SPR21/2063 Damarys Ruiz Acting City Clerk City of Lawrence 200 Common Street Lawrence, MA 01840 Dear Ms. Ruiz: I have received the petition of Todd Wallack of WBUR appealing the response of the City of Lawrence (City) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On July 6, 2021, Mr. Wallack requested an “[e]lectronic log of internal affairs complaints/investigations against sworn officers of the Lawrence Police Department as far back as [the City] maintain[s] the log in [its] current computer system.” The City provided an initial response on July 7, 2021, indicating that the requested “records may be in the possession, custody, or control of another City Department.” Having received no further response, Mr. Wallack appealed, and this case was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that the City intends to provide a supplemental response. In an email to this office on August 20, 2021, an attorney for the City stated that the “request has been forwarded to the Lawrence Police department and they are working on the request. As soon as [the City has] a substantive response for the requester, [the City] will be sending it out.” Accordingly, said response must be made in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its Regulations within ten business days. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of the response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. If issues remain unresolved, Mr. Wallack may appeal the substantive nature of the City’s response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). 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

Damarys Ruiz SPR21/2063 Page 2 August 27, 2021 Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Damarys Ruiz