NCJ Number
186511
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 67 Issue: 12 Dated: December 2000 Pages: 8-10
Editor(s)
Charles E. Higginbotham
Date Published
December 2000
Length
2 pages
Annotation
Crime information, long closely guarded by police departments, is now the subject of increased community and media interest; along with the advent of community policing programs in many jurisdictions, enhanced police information processing capabilities further increase requests for information by making access easier and quicker.
Abstract
As community policing programs continue to develop, requests by the community for information have become more sophisticated and, in some cases, more vocal. Some requesters denied information have sought to use Freedom of Information Act provisions to gain access to information. In some jurisdictions, media outlets have joined with the community to seek access to emergency communication, crime, and computer data to develop their own computer mapping systems as well as for other purposes. Providing responsive information while protecting the rights of all parties is a continuing struggle for municipalities and municipal police departments as they balance what information can and should be released to the public. Cases are briefly described that illustrate legal issues related to law enforcement information sharing and that demonstrate clear procedures for the dissemination of information are necessary to ensure sensitive police information is protected.