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

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Guidebook/Tool

Data & Transparency Framework for Policing Agencies

  • 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.

Empowering Law Enforcement Excellence

A Beacon of Guidance at the National Law Enforcement Knowledge Lab

Explore targeted areas such as crime and violence reduction, use of force accountability and early intervention, and recruitment and retention. Elevate your agency's performance with our guidance and support.