FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT
In the Matter of a Complaint by FINAL DECISION
John D. McBride,
Complainant
against Docket #FIC 89-340
State of Connecticut, Department of Public Safety, Division of State Police, Narcotics Task Force,
Respondent May 9, 1990
The above-captioned matter was heard as a contested case on March 19, 1990, at which time the complainant and the respondent appeared, stipulated to certain facts and presented testimony, exhibits and argument on the complaint.
After consideration of the entire record, the following facts are found and conclusions of law are reached:
1. The respondent is a public agency within the meaning of 1-18a(a), G.S.
2. By letter dated August 21, 1989, the respondent requested a copy of the narcotics file that the respondent compiled on him, which file was mentioned in a letter written on December 21, 1988 by Sargent John Snow, supervisor - central district narcotics. The complainant also requested any other file regarding any prior criminal history of the complainant.
3. By letter dated August 31, 1989, the complainant's request was denied.
4. By letter filed with this Commission on September 8, 1989, the complainant appealed this denial.
5. It is found that the respondent granted the complainant access to the investigative file it maintained concerning the complainant, but did not provide the complainant with any other files that may possibly exist pursuant to any investigations that may have been initiated by units or offices other than the respondent.
6. It is found that the respondent does not maintain files on cases that the task force itself does not initiate, and that if other police units or offices initiate investigations, then those units or offices would be responsible for those records.
Docket #FIC 89-340 Page 2
7. It is found, therefore, that under the facts of this case, the respondent did not violate the provisions of 1-19(a), G.S.
The following order by the Commission is hereby recommended on the basis of the record concerning the above-captioned complaint.
1. The complaint is hereby dismissed.
2. Based on testimony received during the hearing into this matter, the Commission suggests to the complainant that he may wish to seek the records he believes to exist through individual police troops that may have conducted their own investigations.
Approved by order of the Freedom of Information Commission at its regular meeting of May 9, 1990.
Tina C. Frappier
Acting Clerk of the Commission
Docket #FIC 89-340 Page 3
PURSUANT TO SECTION 4-180(c), G.S. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE NAMES OF EACH PARTY AND THE MOST RECENT MAILING ADDRESS, PROVIDED TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION, OF THE PARTIES OR THEIR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE.
THE PARTIES TO THIS CONTESTED CASE ARE:
JOHN D. MCBRIDE
15 Blackledge Drive
Marlborough, CT 06447
STATE OF CONNECTICUT, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, DIVISION OF STATE POLICE, NARCOTICS TASK FORCE
c/o Margaret Quilter Chapple
Assistant Attorney General
MacKenzie Hall
110 Sherman Street
Hartford, CT 06105
Tina C. Frappier
Acting Clerk of the Commission