Brent Waak, Sheriff at Polk County | https://www.polkcountywi.gov/
Brent Waak, Sheriff at Polk County | https://www.polkcountywi.gov/
FOIA Request to Polk County Sheriff's Department regarding the number of job applications and tracking on August 14, 2025.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Polk County Sheriff's Department by The Sconi, a media organization dedicated to covering local governmental affairs. The request seeks records under the Wisconsin Open Records Law, §19.31 et seq., specifically asking for data on the number of job applications received by the department. The request specifies that this information should be provided by week, month, or year.
Additionally, The Sconi is requesting details about which department or individual within the Polk County Sheriff's Department is responsible for tracking these application numbers. This information is sought in an electronic format to facilitate ease of access and analysis.
The Sconi emphasizes its role in gathering and reporting news to the public as part of its professional responsibilities. As such, they have requested a fee waiver based on their status as a media organization. They argue that access to these public records is crucial for holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency.
The requester also notes their affiliation with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that aids media companies and advocacy groups in investigating government agencies through FOIA and Sunshine Laws. More information about this coalition can be found on their website: https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.
Our team will continue to keep you updated as we gather and report news related to this request and other matters of public interest. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification regarding this matter.
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