Donovan Lee v. Somerville, City of - Police Department (SPR 20230742)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records April 27, 2023 SPR23/0742 Lori L. Cook Records Clerk Somerville Police Department 220 Washington Street Somerville, MA 02143 Dear Ms. Cook I have received the petition of Donovan Lee, appealing the response of the Somerville Police Department (Department) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On March 29, 2023, Mr. Lee requested the following: [1] Any and all weapons inventory lists maintained by the department, to include all ‘less lethal’ weapons that are owned or authorized by the department. [2] Any and all logs of each officer’s qualifications and re-qualifications with firearms or ‘less lethal’ weapons. On March 29, 2023, the Department responded and indicated that the requested records were held by the City of Somerville (City). Unsatisfied with the Department’s response, Mr. Lee petitioned this Office and this appeal, SPR23/0742, was opened as a result. On April 21, 2023, the City provided a further response addressing part one of the request. The City withheld records responsive to part one pursuant to Exemption (n) of the Public Records Law. Based upon a conversation between a Public Records Division staff attorney and a City representative, it is my understanding that the City intends on providing a subsequent response to Mr. Lee. Accordingly, the City is ordered to provide Mr. Lee with said response, in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its Regulations within 10 business days. A copy of any such response must be provided to this office. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of this response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Mr. Lee 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

Lori L Cook SPR23/0742 Page 2 April 27, 2023 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Donovan Lee