Use-of-Force Reporting System

Ensuring Public Safety agencies have reliable, instantaneous access to the data needed to make the right decisions at the right time.

Situations in which law enforcement must interact with an unwilling individual and force is used, whether in self-defense or to encourage compliance, it is considered a “use-of-force” incident. In instances where even the smallest incident can cause a problem, documentation becomes accountability. Use-of-Force (UoF) reporting not only informs the department but also promotes transparency within the community leading to fewer incidents and escalations.

Voyatek Use-of-Force Reporting System

Unquestionably, the vast majority of law enforcement officers passionately honor their oath to respectfully and ethically protect and serve all constituents within their jurisdiction. The actions of a minuscule minority have intensified scrutiny of law enforcement use-of-force for the last 30 years, arguably ignited by a highly publicized 1991 videotaped arrest in Los Angeles. Mass proliferation of portable video recording capabilities combined with instantaneous worldwide distribution platforms amplifies perceptions of rampant incidents of egregious use-of-force, eroding the public’s trust and support. Neutralizing extreme emotions requires careful, objective analysis and publishing of facts identifying trends and circumstances that warrant intervention. Through collaboration with major law enforcement organizations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) developed the National Use-of-Force Data Collection to support the data collection. This aggregated data enables multi-dimensional analysis of the cross-section of events providing insights into trends and correlations of circumstances, subjects and officers to inform the evolution of processes and procedures to achieve the agency’s goals.

Voyatek’s Use-of-Force Reporting system is a COTS product that enables state crime reporting organizations to receive and validate state and FBI compliant Use-of-Force data submissions from the local Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA’s). The Use-of-Force Reporting System supports the National Use-of-Force Data Collection business rules, while providing flexibility to accommodate extensions that may be required by the state CJIS organization.

Product Focus

Voyatek’s Use-of-Force Reporting is a COTS product that enables State crime reporting organizations to receive and validate State and FBI compliant Use-of-Force data submissions from the local Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA’s).

  • Incoming Submissions to the State Agency (LEAs to the State Agency): UoF enforces all 200+ FBI National Use-of-Force Business Rules as defined by FBI Technical Specification.
  • Real-time XML submissions to the FBI: Use of Force product is capable of sending real-time UoF submissions in XML format to the FBI, providing immediate success or failure confirmation.
  • Law Enforcement Agency (LEA) Records Management System (RMS) agnostic: Flexibility to receive compliant data in numerous modern and legacy formats, minimizing implementation efforts.
  • Voyatek’s Use of Force offers advanced reporting capabilities: A user can view/download their monthly transactions and error report. State Admins can send reminder emails to delinquent agencies with one click.

Voyatek Use-of-Force Reporting

Use of Force diagram (1)
Use-of-Force Reporting System Features
  • CJIS Compliant
  • Inbox– Receive message alerts
  • Dashboard– Quickly check status and alerts
  • Reports – Summary by Agency, Region and State
  • Notifications
  • FBI UoF File generation
  • Monthly XML-file submission to FBI
  • Zero Reports
  • Processing Error Data Set (EDS) from FBI
  • Flexible – XML format gives flexibility to change values for the enumerated list
  • Configurable – State specific UoF data requirements can be applied to the incoming submissions
  • Correlation with NIBRS Incident Report identifier
  • Agency Maintenance
  • Account Management
  • Audit Services
  • Non-invasive – Voyatek Use-of-Force Reporting System integrates with existing LEA RMS systems, regardless of technology

Qualifying Use-of-Force Events

The National Use-of-Force Data Collection aggregates data associated with three types of use-of-force incidents:

  • Fatality occurs to a person in connection with use-of-force by a law enforcement officer.
  • Serious bodily injury to a person in connection with the use-of-force by a law enforcement officer.
  • Discharge of a firearm by a law enforcement officer at or in the direction of a person, where no death or serious bodily injury occurred.

The definition of serious bodily injury based on 18 United States Code 246 (4). “‘Serious bodily injury’ means bodily injury that involves a substantial risk of death, unconsciousness, protracted and obvious disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty.”

Use-of-Force Data Elements

The National Use-of-Force Data Collection captures a variety of data elements associated with:

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Incident Circumstance Information

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Subject Information

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Officer Information

Participation

Participation in the National Use-of-Force Data Collection is voluntary. Providing the use-of-force information contributes to the aggregation of nationwide data, allowing macro analysis of nature of incidents, subjects and circumstances associated with law enforcement use-of-force, strengthening the bond of trust.

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