Oakland, CA - On Monday, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a memorandum recommending the Police Commission request that the Oakland Police Department (OPD) prioritize its transition to the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). In 2021, the Federal Bureau of Investigations declared NIBRS the national standard for reporting crime data and has strongly advocated for its immediate adoption. Switching from the antiquated Summary Reporting System to NIBRS would allow OPD, and the entire Oakland community, to have an increased understanding of victim and offender demographics, relationships amongst key parties, and more. Additionally, through its nationwide implementation, NIBRS would provide Oakland’s action holders with the comparative data needed to strategically address local crime.
“Advocating for structural changes that lead to greater data generation and transparency is a top priority for the Office of the Inspector General,” said Inspector General Michelle N. Phillips “Through OPD’s adoption of NIBRS, officers, officials, journalists, and community members alike, will be better equipped to discuss the nuisances and patterns of crime.”
In OPD’s official response to OIG’s memorandum, they note the technological limitations that have stalled their implementation of NIBRS. Barring further obstacles, OPD “anticipates transitioning to NIBRS reporting in early 2026.”
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