Springfield, Illinois – According to a Springfield Leaks source, a Springfield Police female Officer, Timara Pflug, who is black, found a disfigured black doll in the Springfield Police Department armory. Sometime after that incident, the Springfield Police Department installed cameras in the squad room and in the Armory room of the Police Department.
After the camera’s were installed, Springfield Commander Andrew Dodd sent out an email to all Springfield Police Officers. That email said, “All, We have added a camera in the squad room overlooking the mailboxes, and a second one in the Armory showing the squad car keys and Narcan bags. With the number of employees, both sworn and unsworn, and the occasional tour going through, we wanted to deter anyone from messing with any department or personal property located in those areas.”
We also made a request for a copy of the Internal Affairs complaint that was made after Officer Pflug found the disfigured doll. Although Internal Affairs complaints are public information, the City of Springfield, who’s Mayor has championed for transparency, has denied the release of those records.
In denying the records, the city said, “Here, the documentation you are requesting is exempt pursuant to Section 7(1)(d)(iv) and Section 7(1)(c) of FOIA. This documentation would unavoidably disclose the identity of a person who filed a complaint with or provided information to administrate, investigative, or law enforcement agencies. This documentation is being withheld in its entirety as the disclosure of the contents would necessarily result in the disclosure of the identity of the source and the redaction of the records cannot be meaningfully accomplished.”
“Further, releasing this documentation constitutes an unwarranted invasion of the officer’s privacy as the documentation is regarding an internal complaint that does not bear on the public duties of the officer.”
Springfield Leaks is currently exploring options to appeal this decision.
CLICK HERE TO READ A COPY OF SPD COMMANDER ANDREW DODD’S EMAIL
CLICK HERE TO READ THE DENIAL LETTER
Stay tuned for further updates to this story.