FAQ for Agencies
A look at some of the most common questions and concerns shared by law enforcement officers and agency leaders.
FAQ: Costs and legal requirements
What is WADEPS?
WADEPS stands for Washington State Data Exchange for Public Safety.
The Washington State Date Exchange for Public Safety is managed by Washington State University (WSU) and supported by world-class, cloud-based technology. We are an interdisciplinary team of experts in criminal justice research, statisticians and data analysts, and communications and training professionals.
WSU was selected as the data custodian through a competitive process managed by the Washington Office of the Attorney General.
The Washington State Date Exchange for Public Safety is managed by Washington State University (WSU) and supported by world-class, cloud-based technology. We are an interdisciplinary team of experts in criminal justice research, statisticians and data analysts, and communications and training professionals.
WSU was selected as the data custodian through a competitive process managed by the Washington Office of the Attorney General.
What is the cost to agencies?
Zero. WADEPS is funded by the Washington State Legislature and there is no financial cost for agencies to participate in the statewide data collection or to access the data repository. Technical assistance and data analysis support are included in the program funding.
See the “Tools and Training” section below for more about the expected limited person-hours required.
See the “Tools and Training” section below for more about the expected limited person-hours required.
Why does Washington need a use-of-force database?
It’s required by state law. Senate Bill 5259 (sponsored by Senator T’wina Nobles), which was enacted in 2021 and signed into law as Chapter 10.118 RCW in 2022, is the primary legislative authority governing the statewide collection and distribution of use-of-force data. Learn more about the legislative findings and the intended purpose of the database.
The legislation requires specific data about specific uses of force be collected and reported by all law enforcement agencies and all statewide data be complied in a central, standardized, publicly available database.
The legislation requires specific data about specific uses of force be collected and reported by all law enforcement agencies and all statewide data be complied in a central, standardized, publicly available database.
Don’t law enforcement agencies already collect data about policing activities?
Yes and no. Most agencies collect basic information about calls for service and officer engagement, however, there are variations in methods and/or definitions and not all of the data is easily accessible by the public.
The WADEPS platform standardizes and centralizes data collected on the use of force by law enforcement officers and makes the data publicly available so that agencies, policy makers, and engaged citizens can use it to make data-informed analyses and comparisons.
The WADEPS platform standardizes and centralizes data collected on the use of force by law enforcement officers and makes the data publicly available so that agencies, policy makers, and engaged citizens can use it to make data-informed analyses and comparisons.
FAQ: Tools and training
How much extra work will be required of agencies and officers?
Our goal is to make the required data collection process as efficient as possible for agencies and officers. WADEPS is working with agencies to leverage existing data collection processes to reduce duplicate data entry and improve data integrity.
We are working with volunteers from multiple agencies to review automation plans and to serve as beta testers as we develop processes for collecting both CAD data and use-of-force data.
We are working with volunteers from multiple agencies to review automation plans and to serve as beta testers as we develop processes for collecting both CAD data and use-of-force data.
How will agencies report and/or transfer use-of-force incident data to WADEPS?
Agencies have several options for submitting required data: the WADEPS secure app can be used to submit required data directly to WADEPS for each reportable use of force. Alternatively, agencies may securely upload batched data using smart CSV templates provided by WADEPS.
After data is received, WADEPS provides a report to the submitting agency for validation before the data is added to the dashboard. This process occurs within the WADEPS secure app.
After data is received, WADEPS provides a report to the submitting agency for validation before the data is added to the dashboard. This process occurs within the WADEPS secure app.
Who submits the required data on use-of-force incidents?
Each agency will determine their own protocol, including who is responsible for providing incident data to WADEPS for each reportable use-of-force incident.
How is CAD data transmitted to WADEPS?
Agencies can provide computer-aided dispatch (CAD) data using a CSV template provided by WADEPS or can authorize their public safety answering point (PSAP) to share the required incident-related data directly to WADEPS. Per the legislation, agencies must provide a limited set of incident-related CAD data points for all calls for service, regardless of whether the call resulted in using force. This data is used to establish overall rates of force and rates of force by agency, city, initial call type, and more.
In the future program, agencies may be able to opt-in to automated data transfer.
In the future program, agencies may be able to opt-in to automated data transfer.
Will WADEPS provide context for use-of-force incidents?
Yes, a key feature of the WADEPS dashboard will be its contextual analysis capability. Adding contextual data to the WADEPS platform will enable users to compare “apples to apples” as well as identify nuances between agencies—similar to comparing Red Delicious® apples to Granny Smith apples, or McIntosh to Cosmic Crisp®.
WADEPS is analyzing and coding agency policies and operational characteristics, local community characteristics and socioeconomic indicators. The dashboard will also include limited incident-related computer-assisted dispatch (CAD) data for all calls for service. Together, the data set enables determination of rates of force in the context of the community where it occurred and the agency involved.
For example, if a user compares responses from different agencies to incidents with similar characteristics, contextual data comparing agency policies and practices will provide an added layer of understanding.
WADEPS is not designed to answer questions perfectly. Rather, the information available through WADEPS will enable data discovery and encourage follow-up and research.
WADEPS is analyzing and coding agency policies and operational characteristics, local community characteristics and socioeconomic indicators. The dashboard will also include limited incident-related computer-assisted dispatch (CAD) data for all calls for service. Together, the data set enables determination of rates of force in the context of the community where it occurred and the agency involved.
For example, if a user compares responses from different agencies to incidents with similar characteristics, contextual data comparing agency policies and practices will provide an added layer of understanding.
WADEPS is not designed to answer questions perfectly. Rather, the information available through WADEPS will enable data discovery and encourage follow-up and research.
What about individual privacy?
The purpose of the dashboard is to identify trends and outcomes, not individual people or incidents. Data displayed in the dashboard and available as downloads from the WADEPS website will only include the de-identified data. WADEPS is committed to balancing the need for accessible public safety data with the importance of protecting the individual privacy of both community members and officers.
Using recognized research-based protocols approved by the Washington State University Institutional Review Board, personally identifiable information such as the specific physical address of the incident, individual names, and the unique incident number will be anonymized in the database, on the public data dashboard, and in downloaded data sets. This protocol protects citizens and officers alike.
Using recognized research-based protocols approved by the Washington State University Institutional Review Board, personally identifiable information such as the specific physical address of the incident, individual names, and the unique incident number will be anonymized in the database, on the public data dashboard, and in downloaded data sets. This protocol protects citizens and officers alike.
What protections are in place to ensure agencies do not violate HIPAA?
Our research-based approach has been approved by the Washington State University Institutional Review Board (IRB) and meets stringent standards for maintaining privacy within collected data.
WADEPS does not collect personally identifiable information (PII) for those interacting with police. WADEPS only collects administrative records documenting the frequency and nature of police interactions with the public and when those interactions are associated with a reportable use of force.
WADEPS does not collect personally identifiable information (PII) for those interacting with police. WADEPS only collects administrative records documenting the frequency and nature of police interactions with the public and when those interactions are associated with a reportable use of force.
FAQ: Data dashboard
How often will UOF and CAD data be added to WADEPS?
Agencies have up to 30 days from the date of a reportable use-of-force incident to submit the majority of the required data to WADEPS (sections 1-4, and 6). For administrative review data (section 5), agencies have 60 days from the final determination to provide the data to WADEPS.
Agencies are to provide the limited incident-related CAD data for all calls for service monthly.
Agencies are to provide the limited incident-related CAD data for all calls for service monthly.
What will I be able to see on the public data dashboard?
All users—citizens, officers, agency administrators, and policymakers alike—have access to the same data and are able to select, view, compare, and download a variety of data related to law enforcement activities and the use of force at the local, regional, and state level.
Users will be able to select the type of data, the agencies to be included, the time frame, and the type of chart, graph, or other visualization.
Requests for additional dashboards will be considered as time and budget allow.
Users will be able to select the type of data, the agencies to be included, the time frame, and the type of chart, graph, or other visualization.
Requests for additional dashboards will be considered as time and budget allow.
When will the data be available to the public?
The dashboard is publicly available now, however agencies are not required to provide data until [DATE]. In the interim, the dashboard will be updated as agencies begin providing data.
What if I need help understanding the data sets?
WADEPS is collaborating with the Center for Interdisciplinary Statistics Education and Research (CISER) at Washington State University to provide statistical education for all users. Use the “Contact Us” form to ask questions or request assistance.