Four Ways to Start Tracking Police Misconduct Today: Which Option is Right for Your Office?

Every day your public defense office operates without a police misconduct database is a day you're potentially missing critical Brady material, overlooking patterns of abuse, and leaving your clients vulnerable to officers with hidden histories of dishonesty.

An investigation found at least 1,200 police officers with confirmed records of lying and other serious misconduct had not been flagged by prosecutors. In this environment, defenders cannot depend on prosecutors to monitor and disclose misconduct data. More concerning is that this directly leads to wrongful convictions. According to The National Registry of Exonerations, concealing exculpatory evidence contributed to 44% of wrongful convictions. However, only 0.002% of prosecutors are disciplined for withholding evidence. 

The good news? You don't need a perfect system to start making a difference. You just need to start. Whether you have zero budget or significant resources, there's an option that can work for your office to start tracking misconduct today. Let’s help you find the right fit. 

First Ask These Critical Questions

Before selecting your tracking method, consider:

• Will you be collecting confidential or attorney-client privileged information?

• Do you plan to collaborate with groups outside your office?

• Will you need to limit what data you share externally?

• Are you primarily looking up individual officers or interested in analyzing trends and patterns?

• What's your technical comfort level and available staff time?

Your answers will help determine which system best fits your needs.

Four Options to Begin Tracking Police Misconduct (From Basic to Maximum Impact)

Option 1: DIY Spreadsheet + Shared Folder

Best if you want to get started immediately with no resources.

Best for: Offices with minimal data needing a proof of concept before securing budget approval or buy-in from leadership. Perfect when you need to start tracking today with zero barriers.

Option 2: Case Management Integration

Best if you have an existing system to leverage.

Best for: Offices with customizable case management systems who need an easy way to integrate misconduct data into their existing workflows.

Option 3: Notion or Airtable

Best if you already have a lot of data but are waiting to procure Techtivist.

Best for: Offices ready to invest in better tools and willing to learn new systems. Perfect for teams that want additional features and collaboration capabilities without enterprise costs.

Option 4: Techtivist Software

Best if you want to do it right from the start with maximum impact and expert support.

Best for: Offices serious about systematic change and transforming their defense practice. Ideal when you want comprehensive tracking, reliable security infrastructure, and to join a network driving systemic accountability.

Comparison Matrix

	Spreadsheet	Case Management	Notion/Airtable	Techtivist
Quickly search and find the information you need	✗	?	Limited	✓
Access from Court	✗	?	✓	✓
See information already summarized	✗	✗	Limited	✓
Pattern Recognition	✗	✗	Limited	✓
Seamlessly import hundreds of records	✗	✗	✗	✓
Collaborate with other offices	✗	✗	✗	✓
Expert Support	✗	✗	✗	✓

Decision Framework: Which Option is Right for You?

Choose Spreadsheet + Shared Folder if:

• You need to start today with zero budget approval

• You have 1-2 staff willing to lead the project

• You have less than 200 records

• You're comfortable with basic data entry and file organization

• You’re not ready for any of the other options

Choose Case Management Integration if:

• You have a customizable case management system

• You can track officers and documents related to them in the system

• You never plan to share data with other offices or integrate from other sources

• You don’t need to bulk import or export data

• You don't need to analyze patterns or group misconduct

Choose Notion or Airtable if:

• You want more power than spreadsheets but aren't ready for enterprise software

• You have 1-2 staff members comfortable with technology

• You can invest 8-12 hours in initial setup

• You are comfortable with their security policies

Choose Techtivist if:

• You're serious about systematic change and maximum impact

• You need comprehensive officer profiles with information summarized for you

• You want to analyze trends and group misconduct

• You have more than 500 records

• You want to learn from a network of experienced defenders

The Natural Progression

Most offices follow a predictable path:

1. Start simple with spreadsheets to prove the concept

2. Hit limitations as data grows and needs become more complex

3. Upgrade to bigger tools like Notion or Airtable for more functionality

4. Realize the need for purpose-built solutions like Techtivist for maximum impact

There's nothing wrong with starting simple—the important thing is to start. But understanding this progression can help you make informed decisions about where to invest your time and energy.

Ready to Get Started?

Remember, every option is better than no tracking at all. The key is choosing the approach that matches your current capacity while planning for growth.

Next Steps:

• Learn how to set up a DIY spreadsheet system

• Discover how to integrate tracking into your case management system

• Use Online Tools to Start a Database

• See why Techtivist is the best solution for defenders to track police misconduct

The question isn't whether you can afford to track police misconduct—it's whether you can afford not to.

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Ready to take your misconduct tracking to the next level?

Contact Techtivist at info@techtivist.com or book a call here to learn how our platform can amplify your office's impact and connect you with a network of defenders driving systemic change.