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PHX PD slow to release records on record system

Posted at 7:38 PM, Feb 17, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-18 07:10:21-05

The Phoenix Police Department has not released any information or documents in response to a public records request made three months ago regarding its new record-keeping system.

In November, ABC15 requested emails from department officials, as well as overtime figures, and any audits or reviews of the new computer system.

This week, officials said the request was still pending.

ABC15 asked for the records after the system experienced several “glitches” after the launch of the new system, which cost $30 million to overhaul.

Phoenix police launched its new record-management system in mid-October after more than a year of delays.

Ever since, the department has experienced multiple “bumps” and “glitches,” including an outage and delays in getting reports filed on time. ABC15 also obtained another email telling some detectives to hold off on submitting cases because of a backlog in processing reports.

Phoenix police officers also had to clear 1,600 incident reports that slipped through the cracks after transitioning to the new system.

Some of the incidents were considered “critical,” according to an email obtained by ABC15. Dated Dec. 3, the email was sent to sergeants and lieutenants in the department by Sgt. Toby Dunn.

Dunn’s email states, “Attached is a list of ORIGINAL INCIDENT REPORTS that do not have an offense code. There are approximately 1,600 reports with this status. Without an offense code, the report is not routed to an investigative detail."

Sources told ABC15 they worried some might involve crimes that weren’t forwarded to detectives. But Phoenix police officials said they don’t believe any violent crimes were missed.

“The affected reports, from our review to this point appear to be non-victim type incidents,” Phoenix Police spokesman Sgt. Trent Crump said in a written statement. “They are incidents such as found property, impounded vehicles, missing juveniles. Critical job functions; however, not criminal.”