Collaborative Improvement: Enhancing Public Safety through Informed Data Sharing using WADEPS Focus Group Feedback

• In Event: The Washington State Data Exchange for Public Safety

Abstract

The Washington State Data Exchange for Public Safety (WADEPS) conducts quarterly focus groups with law enforcement and community members to identify areas of concern, feedback on the data collection program, suggestions for improvement, and more. This presentation focuses on key findings from 12 focus groups conducted with law enforcement (7 focus groups) and communities (5 focus groups). Focus groups are analyzed thematically to identify themes specific to law enforcement, specific to community members, and themes that transcend both groups. The focus groups provide essential insights into concerns about data collection and ideas for additional data to make WADEPS more meaningful. Community focus groups highlight how to make a data dashboard that is easy to use and understand and helps communities make better policies.

Authors

• Season Hoard, Washington State University

• Travis Franklin, Washington State University

• Daniel Mueller, Washington State University

• Christina Sanders, Washington State University