Sinyangwe, Samuel v. Springfield, City of (SPR 20262344)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records June 26, 2026 SPR26/2344 Justin P. Morin Public Records Coordinator City of Springfield 36 Court Street, Room 305 Springfield, MA 01103 Dear Mr. Morin: On June 22, 2026, this office received your petition on behalf of the City of Springfield (City) 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 City furnished a copy of the petition to the requestor, Samuel Sinyangwe. G. L. c. 66, § 10(c); G. L. c. 66, § 10(d)(iv)(2). On May 20, 2026, Mr. Sinyangwe requested, “[u]se of force (UOF) data dating from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025.” 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: (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. 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

Justin P. Morin SPR26/2344 Page 2 June 26, 2026 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). Conclusion The City submitted its petition on June 22, 2026, more than twenty business days after receipt of the request. In light of the fact that the City has not demonstrated it submitted a timely petition, permission for an extension of time to produce records cannot be granted. 950 C.M.R. 32.06(4)(g). To the extent possible, the City must provide responsive records on a rolling basis. Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Samuel Sinyangwe