What is Information Sharing? Is this a question even worth asking? We describe ourselves as information sharing practitioners. Therefore, we must know what information sharing is. Our entire careers are centered on this notion. The Web is filled with products that accomplish "information sharing." You have probably even used this term in a conversation within the last week. Certainly, the concept is nothing that we question. If any of us are in a conversation and this term arises, do we have to stop and ask what does that mean? Of course not. Perhaps the words are so self descriptive that no explanation is necessary.
Yet, as I search for a specific definition for such a commonly used term, I get numerous responses. To some it means a strategic partnering relationship, to others a reciprocal provisioning of information, and still others, the ability to make information available to participants (people, processes, or systems). While I would not suggest any of these ideas are wrong, I do believe they miss the boat, so to speak, when it comes to our jobs as practitioners of information sharing within the justice enterprise.
There are potentially enormous consequences associated with the responsibility we hold for sharing critical information. Our work product can protect citizens and officers. It can assure justice in the courtroom. It can effectively and efficiently use tax dollars. It can also produce the exact opposite results.
At the risk of sounding cliché, the best definition I've heard described about our work as justice information sharing practitioners is to get the right information to the right person at the right time in the right way. We are service providers and our trade is information brokerage of a most important fashion.
To a certain extent, it's easy to do information sharing. What's not easy is doing it well and making a difference. We serve a diverse enterprise. Some of us might be focused on a portion, but the entire criminal justice system must work together and in context, thus making each of our roles important.
To those unaccustomed to our world, I will often show the chart HERE. I think this aptly illustrates the complexity of our work. There must be a unity and willingness to cross boundaries, allow other sister agencies to take advantage of our work, and, ultimately, cooperate for the good of the entire community.
Further, our ability to share information is constantly evolving. What we considered competent capabilities just a short few years ago may be egregious shortcomings today. Advances in technology allow us to do more and better work, and, often, at a much lower cost. As justice information sharing practitioners, we have an additional responsibility to take advantage of technology when possible to accomplish our mission.
I urge you to ponder the importance of your job. See what differences you can make and how you can constantly improve. Let Information Sharing be a rich and meaningful term of art that you embrace.
