See this recent article in the Inlander regarding SPD’s ninety day wait time to receive copies of simple police reports:

Paper Jam

Last fall, Ken Hoeche and his family constructed a simple wooden cross to mark the grave of his son, Jerod Hoeche, who died Nov. 18 in a rollover crash near Medical Lake.

Hoeche says he would like to place a more permanent marker on Jerod’s grave, but he is still awaiting a final accident report to send to an insurance company.

On Monday, Hoeche (pronounced “hay-key”) learned his records request is being processed and he should get the report — on or about May 1.

I too have encountered this delay in my investigation of the Creach OIS.  I recently wrote Tim Ford, the WA  Assistant Attorney General for Government Accountability (AKA Ombudsman):

Re:  Spokane Police Department’s routine delay of 90 days to release simple police reports

Dear Mr. Ford,

I see you were quoted in this latest article by the Inlander re the substantial delay by SPD in complying with PRRs under the WA Public Records Act.  I have first hand experience that this delay approaches 90 days.  This includes request for simple police reports.  I believe such a delay violates the intent of the PRA.  In the case of Spokane this also is a means the concealing questionable acts by SPD and its government from the public

I’m currently researching the tragic Creach Officer Involved Shooting by a Spokane Co Sheriff’s Deputy that was investigated by SPD per a regional protocol for the investigation of OIS/OIDs.  See my blog report on my investigation.   I too was in this queue until I complained.  SPD Asst. Chief Nicks later instructed Police Records Manager Theresa Giannetto to put such PRRs at the head of the line for redaction.  Ms. Giannetto has been very helpful with my requests but unfortunately she was placed between a rock and a hard place by her superiors re cuts in her departments staffing.  The Inlander article says Ms. Giannetto will received additional staffing.  I will remain skeptical until this additional staff is in place.  In some cases I don’t think this was a benign simple budget cutting action on the part of the City.

I openly copied you with an email I sent to City Clerk Terri Pfister and Ms. Giannetto that I felt a delay of 90 days was potentially a violation of the PRA (See below).  Breean Beggs suggested that I bring this to your attention.  I have since been provided the additional supplement report by SPD Det. Hammond that I sought in the Creach OIS.  If I were a citizen just wanting to get a simple police report I would be highly irate that not only would I have to wait 90 days to get a copy of the report but I would have to wait out a long line to file my PRR as the records’ office hours are limited as well.  I’m encouraged that SPD is considering triaging these requests to speed the release of simple reports.

I’m just bringing this to your attention.  Should this happen again I may file a formal complaint with your office.

Sincerely,

Det. Ron Wright (Retired)

*****

Teri,

Could you ensure this message reaches internal City email addresses?  Also since I just replied to Ms. Giannetto’s email the subject header is a little misleading.  Perhaps you could title this more appropriately when you forward it.

Thanks again,

Ron Wright

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Ron Wright <detronwright.retired@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Feb 23, 2011 at 9:43 AM
Subject: Re: HEADS UP – SPD Lt. McGovern responds to my email re my opinion re the Cage Fight emails
To: “Giannetto, Theresa” <tgiannetto@spokanepolice.org>

 

Ms. Giannetto,

Thank you for this information and your continued support. Please give me a call on my cell [redacted] when Det. Hamond’s report will be available for pick up.

As a suggestion I would forward this information to SPD PIO Ms. DeRue for release to her media contact list.

Det. Ron Wright (Retired)

On Wed, Feb 23, 2011 at 8:30 AM, Giannetto, Theresa <tgiannetto@spokanepolice.org> wrote:

 

Mr. Wright,

 

Yesterday Chief Nicks came to my office and made me aware that the Administration has decided that public record disclosure reports of officer involved shootings will be expedited. In other words, he’d like that type of public record disclosure request/s completed before all others.  We will certainly do this in the future.  You and all other requestors will now receive those reports much sooner.

 

I thought you would like to know about this change.

 

Thank you

Theresa

 

 

From: Ron Wright [mailto:detronwright.retired@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 6:20 PM
To: Giannetto, Theresa

Subject: Re: HEADS UP – SPD Lt. McGovern responds to my email re my opinion re the Cage Fight emails

Thanks Ms. Giannetto,

You have been very supportive and attentive to my PDR requests in the past.  I know your staff has been decimated and the time you have to redact police reports is severely limited.  Seems to me because of the significant community interest in this case that someone in SPD police leadership would direct you to put this report on the top of your queue to redact.  Also since Det. Hamond’s report of 01-26-11 is probably in response to my briefing memo I gave to WSP Sgt. Ken Wade on 01-14-11, there shouldn’t be much to redact as I only mentioned several potential witness names.

This issue is really for the police command staff but 90 days is really pushing the envelop of the language in the PRA re promptness.  In my opinion this borders on being non responsive and a way of concealing information important to this community discussion.  I may file a complaint to test if this delay is reasonable.

As you may note I’m cc’g WA AG Ombudsman Tim Ford and will be following up with an email.

Det. Ron Wright (Retired)

On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 5:02 PM, Giannetto, Theresa <tgiannetto@spokanepolice.org> wrote:

Mr. Creach,

 

I will log this public record  request for the follow up report written by Detective Hammond.  Mr. Wright has also requested this report some time ago.  Please consider this your 5-day response letting you know we have received your request.   This report will be ready for release the same day as Mr. Wright’s request because once it is prepared for release, we can release to all requestors.  We estimate we will be able to provide this report in approximately 90 business days. 

 

Thank you

Theresa Giannetto

Records Manager