Transparency is essential in today’s policing environment. Engaging community members and stakeholders regarding the benefits of the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) can promote understanding and acceptance of this new method of reporting an agency’s crime statistics. NCS-X’s Talking About NIBRS: Messaging About Crime Data to Stakeholders provides best practices on how to effectively communicate an agency’s transition to reporting NIBRS crime data.

While the document identifies tips for NIBRS messaging, such as educating personnel and staff on the benefits of NIBRS and anticipating potential questions from data users, it also lays out important messages that answer how incident-based reporting is different from the UCR Program’s traditional Summary Reporting System. These messages will help stakeholders to better understand the many benefits of the switch to NIBRS. The document explains how NIBRS crime data provides meaningful insight for addressing public safety issues and can help to build positive relationships and trust with the community.

Curious about how to begin the communication process? Talking About NIBRS provides recommendations for the best ways for an agency to reach out and engage with the public using social media, press releases, city council meetings, and annual reports.