Back in June, I wrote about police departments participating in positive social media campaigns to increase transparency. But social media is just one way departments are tackling this concept. In Richmond, Texas, the police department said in a statement this July that it was taking a progressive approach to transparency by making its crime data available to the public. “Transparency helps build trust and the Richmond Police Department has taken the steps necessary in helping neighbors look out for each other,” the statement reads. Further north in Dallas, the police department offers other forms of transparency on its website, such as officer involved shooting data, response to resistance data and more.
I received a few emails from readers explaining other things they do to increase transparency, including one chief of police who hosts a bi-monthly “Coffee with the Chief” program and another who attends community meetings of different groups.
But how much is too much transparency? Most recently in California, lawmakers advanced a body cam video transparency bill establishing a policy on when recordings should be released. While the bill would aim to increase transparency, opponents argue that it should be left to local law enforcement agencies to decide when or if they release footage and more than a dozen law enforcement organizations are reportedly opposed to this bill.
Every department is different with how it handles the topic of transparency, including what and when information is shared. My question for our readers is this: How do you measure transparency at your own department?
As you think about that, I’d like to turn your attention now to the issue you’re about to read. If you look at the front cover of the magazine you’ll see it says Law Enforcement Technology. While this month’s cover story doesn’t focus on technology, specifically, it does focus on another aspect of policing: physical fitness. In the article (page 18), I briefly discuss Project Remember, a group of law enforcement officers from around the country who will be running the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 22 in full duty uniform, raising funds for four different law enforcement memorial organizations that preserve the memory of officers killed in the line of duty. It’s a fantastic cause and idea. If you’re interested in donating to the cause or in participating in future years, visit Project Remember 262 on Facebook.
As always, please reach out to me with your thoughts and comments at [email protected].
Stay safe!
Adrienne
