Benjamin C. Guthrie v. Falmouth, Town of - Police Department (SPR 20231201)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records June 20, 2023 SPR23/1201 Maura O’Keefe, Esq. Town Counsel Town of Falmouth 750 Main Street Falmouth, MA 02540 Dear Attorney O’Keefe: I have received the petition of Sergeant Benjamin C. Guthrie appealing the response of the Town of Falmouth (Town) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On December 16, 2022, Sergeant Guthrie requested the following records: Any and all documents (paper or electronic), video or audio recordings, and all correspondence reflecting, evidencing, referencing or constituting a complaint regarding allegations of Hostile Work Environment and Workplace Violence perpetrated by [an identified individual]. The Town responded on April 28, 2023. Unsatisfied with the response, Sergeant Guthrie petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/1201, was opened as a result. It is my understanding that the Town intends on providing a further response to Sergeant Guthrie to address his records request. Accordingly, the Town is ordered to provide Sergeant Guthrie 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. Sergeant Guthrie may appeal the substantive nature of the Town’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

Maura O’Keefe, Esq. SPR23/1201 Page 2 June 20, 2023 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Sergeant Benjamin C. Guthrie