The demographics data set is the foundation for the Police Data Initiative. Before we can analyze how our agency’s actions affect our community, or how our community affects our agency’s actions, we have to be able to characterize our community. Virtually every use of force, call for service, traffic contact or other action will be measured against how it impacts members of the community. 

Norman Demographics Data Sets

The complaints and inquiries data set includes all complaints received by the Norman Police Department. These complaints or inquires can be received in writing, by email, in-person, or by telephone. Anonymous and third-party complaints are also accepted and investigated to the extent that sufficient information is provided. The information contained in these data sets, along with community and departmental demographic data, may provide researchers with valuable insight that can move beyond subjective or anecdotal claims involving complaints concerning Norman Police Department employees.

Complaints & Inquiries Data Sets

The use of force data set includes information on all documented force. Norman Police Department policy defines forces as the application of physical techniques or tactics, the application of a Control Device, or the presentation of a Conducted Electrical Weapon or Firearm toward another person. 

Use of force is never comfortable and often intense. It is important for both members of the Norman Police Department and the community to remember that the use of force is a critical concern for us all whether appropriately used or otherwise. Officers and community members must have an understanding and appreciation for the use of force applications and limitations. Officers are charged with preserving life and property and keeping the peace in the city. To those ends, they may be required to use reasonable force in carrying out their duties.

Use of Force Data Sets

The Contacts data set includes information from our records system regarding the demographic breakdown of both the community members that interact with the police and the demographic breakdown of the police themselves. The set also describes the type of cases involved in the contact as well as the role of the community member involved. Along with reports or cases we have investigated, the data also includes citations (traffic and non-traffic) as well as arrests.

Contacts Data Sets

The Community Engagement data set includes information from our records system regarding the number of community engagement efforts that our officers undertake. This is not a complete list of community-related contact that an officer makes throughout the course of a day. As with other contacts, we simply do not have the capability to generate a report that counts each and every time we interact with a member of the community. Some contacts are informal, others are educational, and some are performed by non-uniformed or non-commissioned personnel. 

Community Engagement Data Sets

The Hate Crimes Data Set includes information from our records management system regarding the number of traditional crimes such as murder, arson, or vandalism with the added element of bias. The FBI has specifically defined a hate crime as a criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by an offender's bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity. The type of crime itself does not make an incident into a hate crime. Nor does a suspect's attitude toward a person or group of people make their activity a hate crime. Rather, the incident itself must be motivated by hate. The listing also includes incidents with a bias motivation of unknown. This classification means that bias was believed to be involved in the incident, but the specific bias is unknown.

The Hate Crimes Data Set is no longer a separate data set. This information is now included in the Contacts Data Set. 

Hate Crimes Data Sets