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It is important for users of UCR data to remember that the FBI's primary
objective is to generate a reliable set of crime statistics for use in
law enforcement administration, operation, and management. The FBI does
not provide a ranking of agencies but merely alphabetical tabulations
of states, metropolitan statistical areas, cities with over 10,000 inhabitants,
suburban and rural counties, and colleges and universities. Law enforcement
officials use these data for their designed purposes. Additionally, the
American public relies on these data for information on the fluctuations
in the level of crime from year to year, and criminologists, sociologists,
legislators, city planners, the media, and other students of criminal
justice use them for a variety of research and planning purposes. Since
crime is a sociological phenomenon influenced by a variety of factors,
the FBI discourages data users from ranking agencies and using the data
as a measurement of law enforcement effectiveness. To ensure these data are uniformly reported, the FBI provides contributing
law enforcement agencies with a handbook that outlines the definitions
of the included offenses. Acknowledging that offense definitions may vary
from state to state, the FBI cautions agencies to report offenses not
according to local or state statutes but according to those guidelines
provided in the handbook. Most agencies make a good faith effort to comply
with established guidelines. Finally, in a given year, nearly 17,000 agencies contribute data to the FBI; however, because of computer problems, changes in record management systems, personnel shortages, or a number of other reasons, some agencies cannot provide data for publication. The FBI appreciates the conscientious efforts made by law enforcement personnel throughout the nation to report accurate and reliable crime data and encourages them to keep up the good work in our united effort to protect the American public. Bill Temple Uniform Crime Reports | FBI Home Page |