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Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics (LEMAS)

Data Collection Status
Active
Frequency
Periodic
Latest Data Available
2020
Data Experts
Elizabeth J. Davis, BJS Statistician
Sean E. Goodison, PhD, BJS Statistician
Collection Period

1987, 1990, 1993, 1997, 1999 (limited scope), 2000, 2003, 2007, 2013, 2016, 2020

Description

Conducted periodically since 1987, the Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics (LEMAS) core collects data from over 3,000 general-purpose, county, and local law enforcement agencies, including all those that employ 100 or more full-time sworn officers and a nationally representative sample of smaller agencies. Data are obtained on agency responsibilities, operating expenditures, job functions of sworn and civilian employees, officer salaries and special pay, demographic characteristics of officers, weapons and armor policies, education and training requirements, computers and information systems, vehicles, special units, and community policing activities.

Beginning in 2016, the LEMAS survey adopted a core and supplement structure. Due to the breadth of the survey, detailed analysis of any specific law enforcement topic cannot be done with the LEMAS core. The LEMAS supplements are designed to fill this void by allowing for a more comprehensive examination on a key topic in law enforcement and are administered between core years. The 2016 LEMAS Body-Worn Camera Supplement is the first supplement administered under the new structure.

Date Created: May 18, 2009