Judge Orders Release of Documents in Chamberlain Case
Kenneth Chamberlain, Jr. won a small victory last Wednesday in his civil suit against the City of White Plains, the White Plains Housing Authority and police officers present at the time of the fatal shooting of his father Kenneth Chamberlain, Sr. in November 2012, when U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, Judge Cathy Seibel ordered the White Plains Police Department to turn over documents related to training and practices policy.
Those papers are expected to be turned over Monday, July 22.
Attorney Randolph McLaughlin, counsel for Chamberlain, Jr., argued that the police department could not unilaterally decide which documents would be considered confidential, and that the request to repress all documentation was “most curious.”
The documents comprising over 600 pages relating to White Plains Police procedure contain information about the department’s policies concerning incidents involving medical emergencies and people with psychological issues.
McLaughlin indicated he wants to find out if there was a policy in place in White Plains to call in special procedures when an incident involves someone with obvious psychological problems and if during the incident that resulted in the death of Kenneth Chamberlain, Sr. in his home that policy was ignored.
McLaughlin further noted that the documents might identify witnesses of knowledge who could provide information on the subject mater of the incident.
Judge Seibel ordered release of the documents with specific portions flagged where White Plains Police felt the confidential information might hurt safety procedures or if specific personnel files were included.
Both sides will most likely continue dialog on the flagged sections.
