March On Washington DC by Darrell Malone, founder of the nonprofit organization National Police Data Coalition (NPDC)
Transparency and accountability are top priorities all over the world right now. But what's the best way to go about it? Darrell Malone, founder of the nonprofit organization National Police Data Coalition (NPDC), wants to help us figure that out.
The NPDC is leading the way in crowd-sourcing police data, bringing together journalists, civil and criminal defense attorneys, and other stakeholders in a unified voice. As the NPDC launches a new round of funding, they invite you to join them in changing the way police work in the US.
At the heart of NPDC’s mission is the creation of a state-of-the-art web application and database that will be the foundation for independent data collection on police operations. Darrell's personal encounters with being held at gunpoint and followed by various police departments prompted his call to action. The events of 2020 have only reinforced his determination to address the challenges law enforcement faces.
The NPDC has its roots in Darrell's last big project, which was launched in 2017. The project focused on using AI to help public defenders and making sure people got the justice they deserved. Darrell got together with a bunch of people who work in criminal defense and civil rights, and they figured out what was wrong with the accountability system. That's how they came up with the idea for NPDC, which was officially set up in 2021 as a nonprofit organization.
The NPDC has made substantial progress in realizing its vision. They've developed a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to demonstrate their services to attorneys and are gearing up to launch a pilot program. Three counties, including Harris County and Bexar County in Texas, and New York County in New York State, will be using a version of the software to track police misconduct and Brady violations in their regions.
The NPDC's MVP focuses on attorney-specific functionality, including reporting and case management software integration, to facilitate data-driven decision-making. They aim to expand coverage to the US within five years and make independent data review a model for other countries and industries.
Snipshot of National Police Data Coalition Platform, by National Police Data Coalition
NPDC’s main partners in this effort are criminal defense lawyers. Their intimate relationship with the law enforcement community, combined with their data needs, makes them an ideal partner for NPDC services. Civil rights attorneys are also an important part of the larger system, providing a robust data environment.
Darrel emphasizes that ‘Sunlight is the most effective disinfectant,’ and that the acquisition of independent information is necessary to counterbalance the lack of oversight and accountability that some law enforcement agencies have. Transparency encourages stakeholders to work together to identify and address issues before they become more pressing.
The NPDC has engaged in a partnership with an organization specializing in nonprofit software development. They are instrumental in building the pilot program. Additionally, the NPDC has a strong track record of collaborating with established nonprofit organizations, particularly in the civic hacking and civic tech space.
The National Police Data Coalition is poised to revolutionize the way we approach transparency in policing. The NPDC is committed to gathering independent data, partnering with attorneys, and growing its impact across the country. The NPDC invites individuals and organizations to partner with the NPDC to build a more equitable and accountable future for everyone.
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Contact:Darrell Malone
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