Lakeidra Chavis v. Stoughton, Town of - Police Department (SPR 20232424)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records October 20, 2023 SPR23/2424; SPR23/2425 Sergeant Thomas McNulty Records Access Officer Stoughton Police Department 26 Rose Street Stoughton, MA 02072 Dear Sergeant McNulty: I have received the petitions of Lakeidra Chavis, of The Marshall Project, appealing the nonresponse of the Stoughton Police Department (Department) to two requests for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On August 15, 2023 and August 16, 2023, Ms. Chavis requested the following records: August 15, 2023 request [1.] A copy of the most recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or contract the Department has for its Explorers Program. If the program is no longer active or has ceased to exist … the date of termination and the corresponding termination letter…. [2.] A list of all staff involved in the Department’s Explorers Program as of August 15, 2023, including but not limited to points of contact and program mentors….[T]he employees’ and/or civilians’ names and titles. If the program is no longer active…the names and titles of members involved prior to the program disbandment…. [3.] A copy of the Department’s most recent records retention policy…. [4.] A copy of the internal affairs investigative report regarding the death of [an identified individual], and misconduct by, but not limited to three [identified] officers…. [5.] A copy of all internal affairs investigative reports regarding misconduct within the Department’s Explorers Program between January 1, 2018 and August 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

Sergeant Thomas McNulty SPR23/2424; SPR23/2425 Page 2 October 20, 2023 15, 2023, that are unrelated to [an identified individual]…. August 16, 2023 request [1.] A copy of all anonymous tips the Department has received between January 1, 2021 and August 16, 2023 in regards to its Explorers Program. Claiming to not yet have received a response, Ms. Chavis petitioned this office and these appeals, SPR23/2424 and SPR23/2425, were opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned the Department provided a response to Ms. Chavis on October 17, 2023. Where these appeals were opened as a result of the Department’s lack of a written response, I will now consider these administrative appeals closed. Ms. Chavis may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s response within 90 days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Lakeidra Chavis