Paul Benson v. Provincetown, Town of- Police Department (SPR 20242623)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records September 30, 2024 SPR24/2623 Barbara Peters Records Clerk Provincetown Police Department 26 Shank Painter Road Provincetown, MA 02657 Dear Ms. Peters: I have received the petition of Paul Benson, of the Provincetown Independent, appealing the response of the Provincetown 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 September 14, 2023, Paul Benson requested, “… any police reports involving [an identified individual] since my last request on July 8 and also any police reports involving [an identified individual] at any time since January 2017.” Prior Appeals, In Camera Review and Reconsideration The requested records were the subject of prior appeals, an in camera review, and a subsequent reconsideration. See SPR23/2445 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (October 30, 2023); SPR23/2829 Determinations of the Supervisor of Records (December 5, 2023 and December 27, 2023); SPR24/0253 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (February 9, 2024); and SPR24/0731 Determinations of the Supervisor of Records (March 29, 2024 and May 16, 2024). In my May 16th determination, I declined to reverse my findings in my March 29th determination. The Department responded on June 17, 2024. Unsaitsfeid with the Department’s response, Mr. Benson petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR24/2623, was opened as a result. It is my understanding that the Department intends on providing a further response to Mr. Benson. Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide Mr. Benson with said response 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 the response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Mr. Benson 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

Barbara Peters SPR24/2623 Page 2 September 30, 2024 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Paul Benson