![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.julota.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Data-sharing-across-law-enforcement-1024x534.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHaving appropriate information quickly and effectively means that law enforcement agencies can respond to crises swiftly and often prevent further escalation of situations involving behavioral health issues. Thankfully, law enforcement sharing has improved significantly in recent years, but many challenges still exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Challenges of Improving Data-Sharing Across Law Enforcement Agencies<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWe will explore some of those challenges and examine ways to improve data sharing across law enforcement agencies<\/a>. Challenges to effective data sharing include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Accuracy of data<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Trust within and across organizations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Interoperability of data<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Choosing appropriate software solutions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Funding<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Ensuring the accuracy of the information collected should be a top priority for police officers when responding to a crisis. Failure to record correct information can result in response delays and misunderstandings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Calls involving mental illness or substance use disorders require special attention to detail to ensure that the response is appropriate to the situation. Law enforcement agencies can improve data-sharing by learning from models such as the Memphis Police Department\u2019s Crisis Intervention Program<\/a>, which has established a specific dispatch code for mental health-related calls.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA code has also been established for mental health calls involving weapons. The Thomas Jefferson Area CIT in Charlottesville, Virginia, also uses specific codes to indicate four possible resolutions of mental health crisis calls: Resolved at location, Voluntary committal transport, Emergency custody order, and Resolved with an arrest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recent documents show that most of their mental health crisis calls are either \u201cresolved on location\u201d or \u201cvoluntary transport to treatment,\u201d A steady decline in those resulting in an arrest has been noted. By having access to this type of specific information, law enforcement can quickly determine which individuals have received treatment services previously, allowing easy diversion to proper resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All individuals and agencies involved should receive adequate training to ensure accurate recording and data tracking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Data-Sharing and Trust Across Organizations<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nEffective data sharing requires relationships of trust within and across organizations. It has often been said: \u201cdata will move at the speed of trust.\u201d Unfortunately, law enforcement agencies can often be protective of their information, creating a silo effect, presenting a significant challenge to efficient data sharing. Often this is due to the law enforcement agencies looking to stay compliant with ever-changing privacy rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Creating interagency partnerships and building relationships through honest acknowledgment of each other\u2019s issues is key to successful information sharing. In addition, frequent and clear communication between agencies about what can and cannot be shared will ensure that data is collected accurately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Officers will be better positioned to effectively respond to a mental health crisis when armed with the knowledge of what information they can and should be collecting on the scene and how to access pertinent information on the individual(s) involved. Establishing an environment of trust takes time and effort. Still, there are things that agencies can do to start that journey, such as simply sharing information that\u2019s easy to share and adopting the motto of \u201cshare unless there is a good reason not to\u201d rather than \u201cshare under special circumstances only.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These small steps can help establish a culture of openness and collaboration that can make it easier to develop more complex data-sharing relationships in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interoperability Among Law Enforcement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIn today\u2019s high-tech world, data is everywhere, and successful data sharing means that computer systems must be able to \u201ctalk\u201d to each other while protecting and securing private health information. Unfortunately, the reality is that data is often held in silos (collection of data stored by one group that other groups cannot easily access even in the same organization).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even within these silos, multiple logins and access rights may be needed to answer this simple question: \u201cwhat information is already available on this individual?\u201d The solution to this unique challenge is the interoperability of data, which is the ability to timely and securely access, integrate, and use available information to optimize individual situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most effective ways law enforcement agencies can help connect these various systems is through a cloud platform. Julota\u2019s cloud platform<\/a> enables safe, easy access to sensitive information without sacrificing the customizations each organization needs. The Julota platform does not replace a law enforcements CAD system. Instead, it interfaces with whatever CAD you are using and any other community organizations that wish to participate.<\/p>\n\n\n\nUsing cloud computing means organizations no longer need to maintain systems locally to share information. When a message is sent out from one, that information comes through one source for more efficient communication and less risk of data falling through the cracks. The cloud-based, Software as a Service (SaaS) platform bridges the gaps between agencies smoothly and efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TV shows like CSI, NCIS, FBI, and others have become a visible component of today\u2019s culture and have presented the viewing public with the expectation that needed data can be accessed instantly by law enforcement. Though the reality is much different, significant improvement in data sharing is seen across the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Electronic Information Exchange for the Justice Community<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative<\/a> (Global) advises the U.S. Attorney General on justice information sharing and integration initiatives. Representing more than 30 independent organizations across law enforcement, judicial, correctional, and others, it promotes standards-based electronic information exchange for the justice community.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Global Advisory Committee (GAC) comprises key personnel representing justice entities from local, state, tribal, federal, and international partners. Their mission: the efficient sharing of data among justice entities. The GAC appoints groups to work collaboratively to address policy, connectivity, and jurisdictional issues that hamper effective information sharing. Since its inception, significant steps have been taken to join disparate components of the justice community into a cohesive system, offering hope that effective information sharing can become a reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Law enforcement agencies seek ways to adapt as the amount of data collected has skyrocketed. But unfortunately, there is a sea of data out there that could easily fall by the wayside without the right tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Technology Advances for Law Enforcement and Mental Health<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThankfully, new technological advances have been game-changers for law enforcement. However, choosing appropriate software solutions is as important as collecting the proper information, so the software should meet the following criteria:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Is approved by your state or region<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- It is secure from unauthorized users<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- It is a software as a service (SaaS) cloud migration model<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- It is a central connecting point for all agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Is capable of collecting data from diverse source<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Accuracy of data<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Trust within and across organizations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Interoperability of data<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Choosing appropriate software solutions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Funding<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Ensuring the accuracy of the information collected should be a top priority for police officers when responding to a crisis. Failure to record correct information can result in response delays and misunderstandings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Calls involving mental illness or substance use disorders require special attention to detail to ensure that the response is appropriate to the situation. Law enforcement agencies can improve data-sharing by learning from models such as the Memphis Police Department\u2019s Crisis Intervention Program<\/a>, which has established a specific dispatch code for mental health-related calls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A code has also been established for mental health calls involving weapons. The Thomas Jefferson Area CIT in Charlottesville, Virginia, also uses specific codes to indicate four possible resolutions of mental health crisis calls: Resolved at location, Voluntary committal transport, Emergency custody order, and Resolved with an arrest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recent documents show that most of their mental health crisis calls are either \u201cresolved on location\u201d or \u201cvoluntary transport to treatment,\u201d A steady decline in those resulting in an arrest has been noted. By having access to this type of specific information, law enforcement can quickly determine which individuals have received treatment services previously, allowing easy diversion to proper resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All individuals and agencies involved should receive adequate training to ensure accurate recording and data tracking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Data-Sharing and Trust Across Organizations<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Effective data sharing requires relationships of trust within and across organizations. It has often been said: \u201cdata will move at the speed of trust.\u201d Unfortunately, law enforcement agencies can often be protective of their information, creating a silo effect, presenting a significant challenge to efficient data sharing. Often this is due to the law enforcement agencies looking to stay compliant with ever-changing privacy rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Creating interagency partnerships and building relationships through honest acknowledgment of each other\u2019s issues is key to successful information sharing. In addition, frequent and clear communication between agencies about what can and cannot be shared will ensure that data is collected accurately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Officers will be better positioned to effectively respond to a mental health crisis when armed with the knowledge of what information they can and should be collecting on the scene and how to access pertinent information on the individual(s) involved. Establishing an environment of trust takes time and effort. Still, there are things that agencies can do to start that journey, such as simply sharing information that\u2019s easy to share and adopting the motto of \u201cshare unless there is a good reason not to\u201d rather than \u201cshare under special circumstances only.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These small steps can help establish a culture of openness and collaboration that can make it easier to develop more complex data-sharing relationships in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interoperability Among Law Enforcement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In today\u2019s high-tech world, data is everywhere, and successful data sharing means that computer systems must be able to \u201ctalk\u201d to each other while protecting and securing private health information. Unfortunately, the reality is that data is often held in silos (collection of data stored by one group that other groups cannot easily access even in the same organization).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even within these silos, multiple logins and access rights may be needed to answer this simple question: \u201cwhat information is already available on this individual?\u201d The solution to this unique challenge is the interoperability of data, which is the ability to timely and securely access, integrate, and use available information to optimize individual situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most effective ways law enforcement agencies can help connect these various systems is through a cloud platform. Julota\u2019s cloud platform<\/a> enables safe, easy access to sensitive information without sacrificing the customizations each organization needs. The Julota platform does not replace a law enforcements CAD system. Instead, it interfaces with whatever CAD you are using and any other community organizations that wish to participate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using cloud computing means organizations no longer need to maintain systems locally to share information. When a message is sent out from one, that information comes through one source for more efficient communication and less risk of data falling through the cracks. The cloud-based, Software as a Service (SaaS) platform bridges the gaps between agencies smoothly and efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TV shows like CSI, NCIS, FBI, and others have become a visible component of today\u2019s culture and have presented the viewing public with the expectation that needed data can be accessed instantly by law enforcement. Though the reality is much different, significant improvement in data sharing is seen across the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Electronic Information Exchange for the Justice Community<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative<\/a> (Global) advises the U.S. Attorney General on justice information sharing and integration initiatives. Representing more than 30 independent organizations across law enforcement, judicial, correctional, and others, it promotes standards-based electronic information exchange for the justice community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Global Advisory Committee (GAC) comprises key personnel representing justice entities from local, state, tribal, federal, and international partners. Their mission: the efficient sharing of data among justice entities. The GAC appoints groups to work collaboratively to address policy, connectivity, and jurisdictional issues that hamper effective information sharing. Since its inception, significant steps have been taken to join disparate components of the justice community into a cohesive system, offering hope that effective information sharing can become a reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Law enforcement agencies seek ways to adapt as the amount of data collected has skyrocketed. But unfortunately, there is a sea of data out there that could easily fall by the wayside without the right tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Technology Advances for Law Enforcement and Mental Health<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Thankfully, new technological advances have been game-changers for law enforcement. However, choosing appropriate software solutions is as important as collecting the proper information, so the software should meet the following criteria:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Is approved by your state or region<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- It is secure from unauthorized users<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- It is a software as a service (SaaS) cloud migration model<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- It is a central connecting point for all agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Is capable of collecting data from diverse source<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- It is a central connecting point for all agencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- It is a software as a service (SaaS) cloud migration model<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- It is secure from unauthorized users<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Is approved by your state or region<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Funding<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Choosing appropriate software solutions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Interoperability of data<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Trust within and across organizations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n