David Osborne v. Worcester, City of (SPR 20251292)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records May 20, 2025 SPR25/1292 Janice Thompson, Esq. Assistant City Solicitor Law Department City of Worcester 455 Main Street, Room 301 Worcester, MA 01609 Dear Attorney Thompson: I have received the petition of Attorney David Osborne appealing the nonresponse of the City of Worcester (City) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On February 24, 2025, Attorney Osborne requested: [1] All orders or requests for the purchase of Hexagon OBTI or Bluestar OBTI from January 2018 to the present. [2] All police reports that refer to the use of Hexagon OBTI or Bluestar OBTI from January 2018 to the present (individual identifying information may be redacted). [3] The versions of (a) the Worcester Police Department’s Crime Scene Unit Operations Manual (CSU OM), Chapter 13 (“Biological Screening”), and (b) the Worcester Police Department’s Crime Scene Unit SOP – Biological Evidence Collection (“SOP – BI”), that were in effect in Decembers 2017. [4] The versions of (a) the Worcester Police Department’s Crime Scene Unit Operations Manual (CSU OM), Chapter 13 (“Biological Screening”), and (b) the Worcester Police Department’s Crime Scene Unit SOP – Biological Evidence Collection (“SOP BI”), that were in effect in August 2023. Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Attorney Osborne petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR25/1292, was opened as a result. Despite being notified of the opening of this appeal, it remains unclear whether the City has provided a response. Accordingly, the City is ordered to provide Attorney Osborne with a 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

Janice Thompson, Esq. SPR25/1292 Page 2 May 20, 2025 response to his request, provided in a manner consistent with this order, the Public Records Law 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. Attorney Osborne may appeal the substantive nature of the City’s response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: David Osborne, Esq.