Andrew Ryan v. Boston, City of - Police Department (SPR 20243292)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records December 18, 2024 SPR24/3292 Shawn A. Williams, Esq. Director of Public Records Records Access Officer City of Boston One City Hall Square Boston, MA 02201 Dear Attorney Williams: I have received the petition of Andrew Ryan, of the Boston Globe, appealing the nonresponse of the Boston 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 November 12, 2024, Mr. Ryan requested the following: 1. A copy of all motions filed by the Boston Police Department regarding a confidential informant in any court case for the past five (5) years. In my research, I have encountered such motions authored by you as assistant corporation counsel, Boston Police Department, Office of Legal Advisor[;] 2. A copy of all affidavits authored by members of the Boston Police Department regarding the release of confidential informant related information filed in any case in the past five (5) years. In my research, I have encountered such affidavits authored by [an identified individual] when he was an administrative supervisor whose day to day responsibilities included maintaining records for the Boston Police Department’s confidential informant program. I am seeking all of [identified individual]’s affidavits and all other similar affidavits written by others in the Boston Police Department. Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Mr. Ryan petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR24/3292, was opened as a result. Despite being notified of the opening of this appeal, it remains unclear whether the Department has provided a response. Accordingly, the Department is ordered to Mr. Ryan with a response to his request, provided in a manner consistent with this order, the Public Records Law 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

Shawn A. Williams, Esq. SPR24/3292 Page 2 December 18, 2024 and its Regulations within ten (10) business days. A copy of any such response must be provided to this office. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of the response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Mr. Ryan may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Andrew Ryan