Grace Ferguson v. Plymouth County Sheriff's Office (SPR 20220774)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records April 19, 2022 SPR22/0774 Jessica L. Kenny, Esq. Deputy General Counsel Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department 24 Long Pond Road Plymouth, MA 02360 Dear Attorney Kenny: I have received the petition of Grace Ferguson, of WBUR, appealing the response of the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department (Department) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On March 18, 2022, Ms. Ferguson requested records concerning “…sworn officers of the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department dating back to January 1, 2010 [including] [a]ll internal affairs cases of domestic violence, and [a]ll internal affairs cases of sexual violence, including but not limited to rape and sexual assault.” The Department responded on April 1, 2022. Unsatisfied with the response, Ms. Ferguson petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR22/0774, was opened as a result. Based upon a conversation between a Public Records Division senior attorney and a Department representative, it is my understanding that the Department intends on providing a further response to Ms. Ferguson. Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide Ms. Ferguson with a response to the request in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its Regulations within 10 business days. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of this response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Ms. Ferguson may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’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

Jessica L. Kenny, Esq. SPR22/0774 Page 2 April 19, 2022 Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Grace Ferguson Patrick C. Lee, Esq.