For how long should GENL-1F use of force documents be retained?

The retention period for GENL-1F use of force documents is five years. This timeframe allows for a comprehensive review of incidents involving use of force, ensuring that records are kept long enough for accountability and oversight purposes. This retention period aligns with best practices in law enforcement to adequately archive documentation related to critical incidents while also allowing for a timely review of cases that may require further analysis or oversight.

The choice of five years strikes a balance between sufficient retention for administrative, legal, and operational purposes, while also considering the need to manage storage and resource allocation effectively. Retaining documents for this duration helps maintain a historical record that can be essential for departmental training, policy review, and handling any related civil litigation that may arise.