Jesse Grove v. Quincy, City of - Police Department (SPR 20253018)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records October 20, 2025 SPR25/3018 Lieutenant David P. Pacino Inspector of Divisions Quincy Police Department 1 Sea Street Quincy, MA 02169 Dear Lieutenant Pacino: On October 15, 2025, this office received your petition on behalf of the Quincy Police Department (Department) seeking an extension of time to produce records. G. L. c. 66, § 10(c); G. L. c. 66, § 10(d)(iv); see also 950 C.M.R. 32.06(4). As required by law, it is my understanding that the Department furnished a copy of the petition to the requestor, Jesse Grove, Esq., of the Committee for Public Counsel Services. G. L. c. 66, § 10(c); G. L. c. 66, § 10(d)(iv)(2). On March 31, 2025, Attorney Grove requested “[a]ny and all Quincy Police Reports authored by [ten identified officers] from January 1, 2020 to March 31, 2025, along with associated Quincy Police Arrest Booking Forms for each Report.” Prior Appeal This request was the subject of a prior appeal. See SPR25/2722 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (September 24, 2025). In my September 24th determination, I encouraged Attorney Grove and the Department to communicate to facilitate providing records more efficiently and affordably. It is my understanding that on October 15, 2025, Attorney Grove paid a fee estimate provided by the Department. Petition for an Extension of Time Under the Public Records Law, upon a showing of good cause, the Supervisor of Records (Supervisor) may grant a single extension to an agency not to exceed 20 business days and a single extension to a municipality not to exceed 30 business days. In determining whether there has been a showing of good cause, the Supervisor shall consider, but shall not be limited to considering: 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

Lieutenant David P. Pacino SPR25/3018 Page 2 October 20, 2025 (i) the need to search for, collect, segregate or examine records; (ii) the scope of redaction required to prevent unlawful disclosure; (iii) the capacity or the normal business hours of operation of the agency or municipality to produce the request without the extension; (iv) efforts undertaken by the agency or municipality in fulfilling the current request and previous requests; (v) whether the request, either individually or as part of a series of requests from the same requestor, is frivolous or intended to harass or intimidate the agency or municipality; and (vi) the public interest served by expeditious disclosure. G. L. c. 66, § 10(c). If the Supervisor determines that the request is part of a series of contemporaneous requests that are frivolous or designed to intimidate or harass, and the requests are not intended for the broad dissemination of information to the public about actual or alleged government activity, the Supervisor may grant a longer extension or relieve the agency or municipality of its obligation to provide copies of the records sought. Id. The filing of a petition does not affect the requirement that a Records Access Officer (RAO) must provide an initial response to a requestor within ten business days after receipt of a request for public records. 950 C.M.R. 36.06(4)(b). Current Petition In its petition, the Department requests “the maximum extension allowable under the Public Records Law…[.]” Conclusion The Town submitted its petition on October 15, 2025, more than twenty business days after receipt of Attorney Grove’s March 31st request. In light of the fact that the Department has not demonstrated it submitted a timely petition, an extension of time cannot be granted. 950 C.M.R. 32.06(4)(d). To the extent possible, the Department must provide responsive records on a rolling basis. Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Jesse Grove, Esq.