In recent years, issues surrounding police transparency and accountability have come to the forefront of public discussion. As a result, many cities have implemented reforms in an effort to improve data transparency and retention within their police departments. However, a recent analysis of Baltimore Police and Open Baltimore data has revealed that these reforms may not have been as effective as hoped.

According to the analysis, despite ongoing efforts to improve data transparency and retention, the data shows that the situation has actually worsened. This is a concerning finding, as it suggests that the reforms put in place may not be addressing the root causes of the issue.

One of the key findings of the analysis is that, despite numerous promises to improve data transparency, the Baltimore Police Department has actually become more opaque in recent years. The department has been less willing to release data to the public, and when data is released, it is often incomplete and difficult to access. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for community members and researchers to fully understand and analyze issues within the department.

Another area of concern is data retention. The analysis found that the Baltimore Police Department has been systematically deleting data, making it even more difficult to hold officers accountable and track patterns of abuse. The department has also been deleting data at an alarming rate, with over 20 million records deleted in just a five-year period. This is a worrying trend, as data is crucial in identifying patterns of misconduct and holding officers accountable.

These issues with data transparency and retention are particularly troubling in light of the ongoing reforms within the Baltimore Police Department. In 2017, the department entered into a consent decree with the Department of Justice, pledging to reform its practices and increase transparency. However, this analysis suggests that the department has not followed through on these promises and may, in fact, be moving backwards in terms of data transparency.

So why are these issues still occurring? One reason may be the lack of accountability within the department. Despite the consent decree and other reform efforts, there still seems to be a culture of impunity within the Baltimore Police Department. This can lead to officers feeling like they can act without consequence, which in turn can lead to abuses of power and a lack of transparency with regards to data.

Moreover, it is also important to recognize the role of systemic issues within the justice system and police departments. The fact that these issues are not exclusive to the Baltimore Police Department suggests that there are larger, underlying issues that need to be addressed in order to truly improve data transparency and retention.

In light of these findings, it is clear that there is still work to be done to improve data transparency and retention within the Baltimore Police Department. This analysis highlights the need for ongoing reform efforts and a rethinking of existing policies and practices.

One avenue for improvement could be increased community involvement and oversight. By involving community members in the data gathering and analysis process, the department may be able to increase transparency and improve trust with the public. Additionally, implementing stronger accountability measures and consequences for officers who delete or manipulate data could also help address these issues.

It is also crucial for the Baltimore Police Department to invest in better technology and data management systems. By modernizing their data infrastructure, the department could ensure that data is properly stored and easily accessible for future analysis. This would not only improve data transparency and retention, but also increase efficiency within the department.

In conclusion, the analysis of Baltimore Police and Open Baltimore data sends a clear message that despite ongoing reforms, data transparency and retention have gotten worse. This is a concerning finding and highlights the need for continued efforts to improve these crucial aspects of police accountability. By addressing underlying issues and implementing new strategies for data management and community involvement, the Baltimore Police Department can work towards a more transparent and accountable future. It is imperative that these efforts continue in order to rebuild trust between the department and the community it serves.