Recent Changes in Crime Reporting
In 1929 the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began collecting national crime data.
California law enforcement agencies are currently transitioning from the Summary Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) method to report crime statistics to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and will now utilize the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) or also known as the California Incident Based Reporting System (CIBRS).
In the 1980s, the law enforcement community called for a thorough study of FBI crime statistics with the objective of recommending an expanded and enhanced program to meet future law enforcement needs. It was determined, NIBRS would replace UCR in 2020. The implementation of NIBRS is expected to provide consistency throughout the U.S. for quantifying crime. NIBRS will also support the mission to generate reliable information to optimize law enforcement management, training, planning and research to strategically and effectively reduce crime.
What are the Differences Between UCR and NIBRS/CIBRS?
It is important to highlight the differences between UCR and NIBRS, as the City of Menlo Park’s crime statistics will change as a result of this new reporting method.
UCR
- Consists of monthly aggregate crime counts for 8 Index Crimes (Homicide, Rape, Robbery, Assault, Burglary, Larceny, Motor Vehicle Theft and Arson)
- Records were only reporting one offense per incident as determined by the hierarchy rule
- Hierarchy rule suppresses counts of lesser offenses in multiple-offense incidents
- Does not distinguish between attempted and completed crimes
- Collects weapon information for murder, robbery and assault
- NIBRS
NIBRS
- NIBRS collects data about victims, known offenders and relationships for 23 offense categories with 52 Group A subcategories. It also represents arrest data for those crimes, as well as 7 additional categories for which only arrest data is collected
- Records each offense occurring in an incident, up to 10 offenses total
- Distinguishes between attempted and completed crimes
- Continues to collect weapon information for all violent offenses
NIBRS is capable of producing more detailed, accurate and meaningful data because data is collected about when and where a crime takes place, what form it takes and the characteristics of its victims and perpetrators.
The Menlo Park Police Department transitioned to the federally required National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS/CIBRS) in February 2022. This change in reporting is not expected to reflect an actual increase in crime but rather a change in the way crimes will be reported.
