MPD Clarifies Crime Data Reporting and Confirms Public Crime Statistics Remain Accurate

The Montgomery Police Department is providing clarification regarding recent reporting about the department's submission of crime data to the state.

MPD experienced an administrative backlog in submitting crime data to the state reporting system. The backlog did not affect MPD's internal crime records, which remained current throughout the period.

As a result, crime statistics publicly reported by MPD, Chief James Graboys, Mayor Steven L. Reed and the City of Montgomery were based on the department's complete internal records and were not affected by the state reporting backlog.

Chief Graboys told the Alabama Justice Information Commission at a public hearing that the reporting issue was identified and corrected previously. MPD reassigned personnel and dedicated additional full-time staff to the reporting function to ensure continued compliance. The department's reporting to the state is currently fully up to date.

"I want residents to understand the distinction clearly: this was an administrative reporting issue, not an issue with the accuracy of MPD's crime data," Chief Graboys said. "Our internal records remained current, the crime statistics we reported publicly were accurate, and we have taken steps to ensure our state reporting remains current going forward."

The City of Montgomery and MPD remain committed to providing residents with accurate, transparent public safety information and to maintaining the administrative systems necessary to meet state and federal reporting requirements.