PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today announced Providence’s participation in the White House’s Police Data Initiative (PDI), an effort which emerged from a set of suggestions from a report issued by President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. The initiative aims to mobilize jurisdictions across the country to use and share data to improve police efficiency, transparency, and foster better relations between police and community.
“I am committed to providing the highest quality city services available and seeking innovative and collaborative methods to ensure the safety of our residents, visitors, and police officers,” said Mayor Elorza. “This innovative collaboration will use data and technology to improve police effectiveness and transparency, and give us a better understanding of the challenges we face in law enforcement.”
As participants, the city will utilize their data capacity to develop and share three data sets with the partnership in the coming months: demographic breakdowns of the Providence Police Department, a summary of community activities attended by officers, and shift activity. Providence joins 53 jurisdictions that have committed to the initiative and have provided over 90 data sets to date.
Providence’s Crime and Information Systems Specialist, Daniel Clement, is set to carry out the open data commitments and communication in collaboration with the city’s Department of Innovation. Biweekly conference calls between Providence officials, leadership of other municipalities, and representatives from the White House to review progress and best practices are set to begin in the near future.