Overview
Public transparency in law enforcement reflects the degree to which an agency engages with members of their community about strategies and daily operations through publicly available information. This includes sharing information or engaging with the community about policy changes, responses to crime and other public safety priorities, use of new technology, and protocols for responding to and communicating with the public during and after critical incidents.
KI Site
Baltimore Police Department
The Baltimore, Maryland, Police Department (BPD) is part of the Knowledge Lab’s Knowledge and Innovation (KI) Site Network for its commitment to public transparency by routinely sharing information about strategies, operations, and public safety priorities. The BPD integrates transparency into daily practice through consistent documentation, routine public reporting, and clear communication on policies, training, technology use, and critical incident protocols. The department maintains a centralized, regularly updated platform that helps residents understand how the BPD operates and makes key decisions. The BPD’s approach emphasizes accountability, community-informed review, and multiple channels for public feedback, supporting ongoing dialogue and organizational learning.
Self-Review Tool
The Knowledge Lab is developing an online self-review tool to help agencies reflect on their current policies and practices evaluate them against research and evidence-informed practices their performance in key areas of policing. This tool is intended to provide a snapshot of where an agency currently stands within this core practice area. There are no right or wrong answers, only an opportunity for honest reflection, learning, and continuous improvement.
Resources Related to Public Transparency
Guidebook/Tool, Report | 2022
21st Century Protest Response: Promoting Democracy and Advancing Community and Officer Safety
Webpage, Other | 2021
Building Trust Inside and Out The Challenges of Legitimacy Facing Police Leaders
The information provided within these modules has been gathered from various sources, including legal reviews, research, and practitioner and department-developed resources. These webpage modules are intended to be a guide for departments to use to improve their policing practices. Additional information and resources may be needed to implement the recommendations successfully. This resource is intended to be dynamic, and the Knowledge Lab will continue to update and add to these modules to provide additional and current guidance for departments.