Towards systematic data governance in law enforcement

As police work becomes increasingly data-driven, data quality has emerged as a key operational and ethical concern. This Working Paper explores how police organizations can improve data governance by addressing recurring structural, technical, and procedural problems. Drawing on findings from the CURATE Project, including a large survey and an in-depth case study on European law enforcement and border control, it identifies persistent challenges such as fragmented IT systems, inconsistent data entry, and unclear responsibility for data quality. To address these issues, the paper proposes the creation of a dedicated Data Stewardship Un it (DSU) within police organizations. Such a unit could standardize data practices, strengthen legal and ethical compliance, and improve coordination across units. While establishing a DSU requires political will, resources, and some IT reform, the Working Paper argues that growing awareness of data quality makes this a timely and necessary step to ensure both effective and legitimate policing.