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.

Cropped view of a woman's hand holding a microphone towards a person in police uniform, with a blurry group of seated children in the background.

Resources Related to Public Transparency

  • Implementation Tools

  • Type of product

  • Audience

  • Reset

Guidebook/Tool | 2016

Guidebook for the Implementation of New or Revitalized Police Oversight

  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Public Transparency

Policy, Training | 2015

Recording Police Activity

  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests
  • Public Transparency

Guidebook/Tool, Report, Training | 2015

Final Report of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing

  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Officer Safety and Wellness
  • Public Transparency
  • Recruitment and Retention

Report | 2014

License Plate Readers for Law Enforcement: Opportunities and Obstacles

  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests
  • Public Transparency

Article | 2013

Events with Potential to go Viral: Identification and Response 

  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Response to Mass Demonstrations
  • Public Transparency

Report, Research Brief | 2008

COPS Evaluation Brief No.3: Creating a Culture of Integrity

  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests
  • Use of Force
  • Public Transparency

Guidebook/Tool, Webpage

Gathering Feedback through Surveys

  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Public Transparency
A Law Enforcement Officer's Duty Belt

Webpage

National Use-of-Force Data Collection

  • Use of Force
  • Public Transparency

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.

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