CJCC adopts data‑handling policy to govern member data and records requests

The Washington County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council voted to adopt a data‑handling policy that sets rules for how member agencies provide information to the council and how the council stores and releases that data.

County Attorney and CJCC coordinator Attorney Stern told members the policy is intended to limit use of provided data to the purposes for which it was supplied and to make clear that submitting agencies retain ownership of their information. Stern said the CJCC, as a public body, must comply with public records law — referenced in the meeting as "chapter 19" — and that his office will act as custodian and perform the required balancing test when records requests arrive.

"If it's something you really don't think should go, perhaps don't turn the actual data over," Stern said, and added that he would attempt to notify submitting agencies when he receives requests but that the law ultimately governs whether information must be released.

Supervisor Plagg moved to adopt the policy as presented; Public Safety Officer Sager seconded the motion. The council voted in favor and the policy passed.

The policy spells out practical steps for submitting and handling data: electronic submissions are preferred so county IT can host and distribute materials to members with a demonstrated need; paper records may be scanned for inclusion; submitting agencies may pre‑redact sensitive items; and the attorney's office will retain a custodial database of CJCC materials. Stern said redacted records still require disclosure of the non‑redacted portions when a valid request covers them.

The council did not attach a new timeline for additional public posting at the meeting; Attorney Stern said he will distribute the policy and serve as the CJCC custodian for data going forward.