Private Investigator News: Mug shots are a public record in Massachusetts

"Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office has ruled that mug shots are not protected by Criminal Offender Record Information laws, a position that the Northampton Police Department disputes.

According to a story in the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Supervisor of Records Alan N. Cote sided with the Gazette in its effort to obtain a mug shot for a court story it was doing in May. Police had denied the request, saying that the photo falls under the protection provided for those charged with crimes under the law commonly known as CORI.

Northampton Police Capt. Joseph Koncas said Wednesday that his department still believes that mug shots are protected under the law, citing a similar opinion by the deputy general counsel for the Criminal History Systems Board. Nonetheless, Koncas said, Cote’s ruling is “set in stone” and cannot be appealed."  
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Location Oakland, Ca - Private Investigator

New Mexico police complaints are a public record

"Citizen complaints brought against police are subject to public disclosure, according to a state Court of Appeals ruling that reinforces a New Mexico sunshine law granting access to government records. The court ruled this week against the state Department of Public Safety, which refused to release complaints against one of its law enforcement officers on grounds that they were confidential personnel records."
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Location Oakland, Ca - Private Investigator

Pennsylvania State Police must disclose outside work, a public record

"Pennsylvania's open-records agency has ordered the state police to release records of moonlighting by its employees.

The Associated Press had requested the information in April after a moonlighting state trooper was connected to the off-field carousing of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

State police had rejected the AP's request. The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records ruled Wednesday that state police were wrong to do so and should turn over most of the information within a month."

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Location Oakland, Ca - Private Investigator

Appeals court: Oakland to pay $3.7 million

"A federal appeals court upheld a decision saying the city of Oakland and two officers will have to pay $3.7 million in damages to a former parolee and his ex-girlfriend."  
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Location Oakland, Ca - Private Investigator

San Francisco appeals court verdict upheld against police in gun-planting

"A federal appeals court upheld $3.7 million in damages Tuesday against the city of Oakland and two police officers who, according to a jury, planted an assault rifle on a parolee's property.

Jurors found in November 2007 that the officers had violated the civil rights of the parolee, Torry Smith, and his then-girlfriend, Patricia Gray, by fabricating a case against Smith to justify his arrest in September 2004.

Smith spent 4 1/2 months in jail before being cleared.

The officers, John Parkinson and Marcus Midyett, denied wrongdoing. Alex Katz, spokesman for City Attorney John Russo, called the verdict a "travesty" Tuesday and said that "the officers are the victims."

Read moreLocation Oakland, Ca - Private Investigator