By Robert Haugh
The Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD) has now spent almost three months slow-walking a narrow Public Records Act request tied to Councilmember Kevin Park that they are legally required to respond to in 10 days.
The request was filed Nov. 25, 2025, by Santa Clara News Online (SCNO) for communications over a four-day window.
The request was for all emails, calls, and texts between Park and City Manager Jovan Grogan, and between Park and Assistant Police Chief Wahid Kazem from November 21 to November 25, 2025.
They’ve issued seven “more time” notices since late November without producing records or explaining what exactly is taking so long.
On Nov. 21, 2025, the SCPD confirmed it became aware of “an allegation of a court order violation involving Kevin Park,” calling it an “open and active investigation,” according to an email from Lt. Eric Lagergren.
Police did not describe the alleged violation at the time. Park did not respond to a request for comment.
Days later, on Dec. 4, 2025, SCNO reported that Park violated a divorce-related court order, citing knowledgeable sources who said Park took his daughter out of state or out of the Bay Area around Nov. 11, 2025.
The City’s long delay on a request seeking communications from City Manager Grogan and Assistant Police Chief Kazem, who has a close relationship with Park, during the exact period police say the allegation surfaced has raised questions of a cover up.
The City says that it needs time to locate the information. But individuals experienced with the City’s technology and procedures think that’s not a defensible excuse or a truthful one.
SCNO requested limited information just days after it would have been recorded on City Hall servers, and only requires a brief search.
Former Santa Clara City Attorney Brian Doyle did not mince words in email responses to SCNO.
Asked if this was appropriate handling of a simple request: “No,” Doyle wrote.
Asked if the repeated delays were allowable: “No,” he wrote again.
Doyle suggested this is typical of the current City Attorney’s office.
“They delay and/or withhold records to almost all of my requests as well,” Doyle wrote.
Doyle’s blunt recommendation: “Somebody needs to sue these people.”
California’s public records law requires agencies to make a prompt determination, and any extension notice must state the reason and cannot be used as an open-ended stall tactic.
This forum was fundamental to maintain ELECTION of Chief of Police Cory Morgan. Yet, he delegates and fails to intervene regarding an important City matter. Is he politically covering his arse by sending weak NON-ELECTED subordinates to cover for Park?
REMEMBER THIS for the next ELECTION for Chief of Police!!!!
A Police Chief LEADS with honor and dignity for Santa Clara (unless he can’t(!)).
Hi Robert. I read your column regularly. I’m a retired attorney and will reach out to friends who might be willing to help you.
A CPRA filed to inquire if Kevin Park ever advocated for mental health programs has been delayed for FOUR MONTHS.
It’s good to know people in high places … 🤣🤣🤣 Don’t let this go, Robert. My bet is, they’ll keep delaying it, hoping that you’ll just let it drop or forget about it. But keep on them. The whole point to accessing public records regarding the politicians in control of our city, is TRANSPARENCY. Which is so far, being subjugated, in this case.
Other cpras filed on Parks are three month old