Opinion ID: 3002002
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Personnel Files

Text: Mr. Peals contends that the district court abused its discretion by reviewing in camera the personnel files of Officer Gilbert and Officer Brinegar and by refusing to turn those files over to him. The only evidence concerning this issue is the following statement by the trial court: All right. The court has examined the personnel files of the two defendant police officers and there is nothing in those files that indicate any discipline or any type of complaints regarding excessive force. There is a notation in there about one of them being late for court, and there is some information, also in there about doing a good job. Tr. at 15. Following this statement, Mr. Peals’ counsel said, “Okay.” Id. The personnel files of the two officers are not part of the record. Mr. Peals contends that the district court abused its discretion when it reviewed the officers’ personnel files in camera instead of turning the files over to him. “Generally, the decisions whether to conduct an in camera review of government files in appropriate cases, whether 16 No. 07-2804 to require discovery of materials contained therein, and in what form such materials should be produced are committed to the sound discretion of the district judge.” Phillips, 854 F.2d at 277. Mr. Peals failed to object to the district court’s decision to review the files in camera instead of making them available to him. Neither did he make any offer of proof to the district court or so much as “hint that impeaching material was contained” in the files. See id. Because he failed to object and make an offer of proof, there is no basis for a finding of prejudice, which is necessary for us to hold that the district court abused its discretion. Cf. Nanda, 509 F.2d at 223; see also Fed. R. Evid. 103(a) (“Error may not be predicated upon a ruling which admits or excludes evidence unless a substantial right of the party is affected.”); Fed. R. Civ. P. 61 (“Unless justice requires otherwise, no error in admitting or excluding evidence . . . is ground for granting a new trial.” (emphasis added)).