Law Enforcement Data From Other Jurisdictions
Non-Minnesota police entities prepare and disseminate “threat assessment” and other “criminal intelligence” information to Minnesota law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and its component MNJAC (the Minnesota Joint Analysis Center). Such data is described as being used for crime and terrorism prevention, and often consists of aggregated reports on individuals or groups who are believed to pose a threat to public safety.
The classification of this type of data in Minnesota has been in dispute for some time, as some of it does not fit neatly within the existing law enforcement data sections of Chapter 13. In addition, certain non-Minnesota law enforcement entities have reportedly been hesitant to share some of this data with Minnesota agencies, due to concerns that the data might become public under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. Civil libertarians and political activists have also raised concerns about the content of some criminal intelligence data, and its possible use to chill the constitutionally protected activities of individuals or political organizations.
Data classification prior to Session
Minnesota does not currently have a separate classification for “criminal intelligence data.”
Procedural history
Prior to the start of the 2014 Legislative Session, the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association approached MNCOGI about working together to craft a narrow bill that addressed state-to-state “traveling” data, including criminal intelligence data. MNCOGI has agreed to help craft a bill that would address data coming into Minnesota from law enforcement agencies in other states. Formal talks began in October of 2013.
Outcome
Discussions for the 2014 Session ended without agreement on bill language.
Documents
• Minutes of October 1, 2013 meeting
• MNCOGI bill first draft (November 11, 2013)
• MNCOGI bill second draft (December 5, 2013)