FR 2025-01961

The document under review is a public notice from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), part of the Department of Justice. This notice is a routine part of the process involved in complying with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, which aims to reduce the amount of paperwork burdens placed on businesses and individuals by government agencies.

Overview of the Document

The FBI is seeking public comments on a proposal to extend an existing information collection effort. This involves gathering data on the number of law enforcement employees as of October 31, encompassing officers and civilian staff from federal, state, county, city, university/college, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies. The purpose of this data collection is to update the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program. This program acts as a repository for police employee statistics, which are then published in reports like Crime in the Nation and displayed on the Crime Data Explorer.

Significant Issues and Concerns

One of the main issues with the document is the complexity involved in the estimation of public burden. Although the document calls for comments on this aspect, it does not fully disclose how the estimates were derived, potentially limiting transparency for the general public. This could lead to confusion or a lack of trust among stakeholders.

Another concern is the fact that participation in this survey is voluntary. This means that not all law enforcement agencies may choose to respond, potentially leading to data gaps and inconsistencies. Incomplete data can hinder the ability of the FBI to present a comprehensive picture of law enforcement personnel nationwide.

Additionally, the document mentions that there are no estimated annual costs associated with this data collection. This absence of cost accounting might overlook hidden expenses for participating agencies, affecting their willingness to participate.

Technical terms and legal references are included without adequate explanations, which could alienate those without specialized knowledge. For a general audience, these references may add unnecessary complexity.

Finally, while the document provides contact details for further inquiries, it does not offer digital resources or links. In today's age, accessibility to online resources could enhance understanding and facilitate responses.

Potential Impact on the Public and Stakeholders

For the general public, this document reflects ongoing efforts by the FBI to maintain transparency and accountability through data-driven insights into law enforcement demographics. A well-executed collection and dissemination of this data could foster public trust in law enforcement agencies and policy-making processes.

However, if data collection remains inconsistent due to the voluntary nature of the response, the public might not receive a complete and accurate representation of law enforcement staffing. This could impact public policy and funding decisions not rooted in solid evidence.

For stakeholders such as law enforcement agencies, participating in this survey provides an opportunity to contribute to a critical national database. However, the responsibility placed on them to provide accurate data, alongside the lack of clarity on any associated costs, could create hesitations.

In conclusion, while the underlying intentions of the Bureau are commendable in terms of transparency and public engagement, the document has room for improvement regarding clarity, participation incentives, and overall communication strategy. Addressing these issues could better serve the needs of both the public and law enforcement agencies.

The document under review, titled "Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection eComments Requested; Extension of a Previously Approved Collection; Number of Law Enforcement Employees as of October 31," primarily deals with data collection by the FBI concerning law enforcement employees. Within this context, the Federal Register Notice specifies financial aspects related to the collection process.

One of the key financial references in the document is the estimated total annual cost burden associated with the information collection, which is cited as $0. This indicates that the proposed extension of the information collection process does not foresee any direct financial costs to the respondents. Such a mention is significant because it implies that agencies participating in the survey are not required to allocate budgetary resources to cover their involvement in data submission. This could potentially encourage participation, particularly from smaller agencies with limited financial resources.

However, within the broader context of the document's issues, the declaration of a $0 cost might not fully capture potential hidden costs incurred by participating agencies. Although the direct financial burden is stated as null, the collection process may still impose indirect costs, such as the use of agency personnel time and resources to complete the necessary forms and ensure data accuracy. The document highlights an estimated total of approximately 2,311 annual burden hours associated with this collection process, involving responding agencies once a year. While there is no direct monetary cost attributed, the time and effort required by these agencies could be considered a form of economic expenditure, as agencies may need to divert staff time from other duties to comply with the data request.

Moreover, the voluntary nature of the response obligation raises another dimension of concern. If participation imposes indirect costs on the agencies, the absence of compensatory funding might deter consistent involvement, potentially affecting the comprehensiveness of the data collected. This relates to one of the identified issues in the document, which notes that voluntary participation could result in inconsistent data and a lack of comprehensive insights.

Ultimately, while the document clarifies that there are no direct financial costs associated with the information collection, it is crucial for stakeholders and the involved agencies to consider the potential indirect expenses related to human resource allocation and administrative burden. Recognizing these factors could lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the true economic impact of the data collection effort and motivate further discussions on resources or support to mitigate indirect costs.