If at first you don’t succeed….

try, try again.

So that’s what we’re doing. I e-mailed this to El Monte’s city attorneys this week, asking again for the police report detailing Mayor Ernie Gutierrez’ Nov. 18 arrest.

As I understand it, if the investigation is complete (and to our knowledege, it is) the full report should be public record: 

I am re-submitting this records request in the hopes that I may get
the documents I originally requested. In Novemeber, I submitted a
records request for the police report detailing Mayor Ernie
Gutierrez’ Nov. 18 arrest. The city attorney’s office responded with
a summary of arrest details, including date, time and an incident
synopsis.

While I appreciate the response, it did not completely fulfill my
request. I am therefore re-submitting my request for the complete
police report. If the complete police report cannot be provided, I
ask that a written statement explaining why be provided to me.

The request is below. Thank you.

1/4/09

Attn: City Clerk/Records Specialist
El Monte

Re: Public Documents

To Whom It May Concern;

Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, which finds and
declares that access to information concerning the conduct of the
people’s business is a fundamental and necessary right of every
person in this state, I am writing to request the following:

1. A copy of the complete police report detailing Mayor Ernie
Gutierrez’ Nov. 18 arrest.

According to California Government Code Sections 6250, members of the
public have a right to this information.

6253. (a) Public records are open to inspection at all times during
the office hours of the state or local agency and every person has a
right to inspect any public record, except as hereafter provided. Any
reasonably segregable portion of a record shall be available for
inspection by any person requesting the record after deletion of the
portions that are exempted by law.

(c) Each agency, upon a request for a copy of records, shall, within
10 days from receipt of the request, determine whether the request,
in whole or in part, seeks copies of disclosable public records in
the possession of the agency and shall promptly notify the person
making the request of the determination and the reasons therefor.

If there are further questions, please call me at 626-962-8811, Ext.
2109. Please let me know when any of the documents become available
as I would like to come and review them first before obtaining any
copies. If there is no information on any requested item, please let
me know as well.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Tania Chatila
Staff Reporter
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
tania.chatila@sgvn.com
626-962-8811, Ext. 2109
Fax: 626-338-9157
1210 North Azusa Canyon Road
West Covina, Ca 91790