Patrick Higgins v. Swansea, Town of - Police Department (SPR 20221290)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records June 16, 2022 SPR22/1290 Marc R. Haslam Chief of Police Swansea Police Department 1700 G.A.R. Highway Swansea, MA 02777 Dear Chief Haslam: I have received the petition of Patrick Higgins appealing the response of the Swansea Police Department (Department) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On June 2, 2022, Mr. Higgins requested a named officer’s shift schedule. On June 2, 2022, the Town responded and provided a further response on June 3, 2022. Unsatisfied with the Department’s responses, Mr. Higgins petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR22/1290, was opened as a result. Based upon a conversation between a Public Records Division staff attorney and a Department representative, it is my understanding that the Department intends on providing a subsequent response to Mr. Higgins. Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide Mr. Higgins with a response to his request in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its Access 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. Mr. Higgins may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Patrick Higgins 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