How Communities Can Audit Police Spending

Fundurado Editorial · Updated 2025-11-26

Auditing police spending does not require advanced degrees, but it does require patience and a plan. Communities can often learn a lot from documents that already exist.

Start with official budget documents

Look for adopted budgets, mid-year updates, and capital improvement plans. These often sit on city or county websites.

Request missing data

Public records laws may allow residents to request additional detail, such as overtime spending or breakdowns by unit.

Compare claims to allocations

When officials talk about reform or new priorities, check whether funding levels reflect those statements.

Work with partners

Journalists, advocacy groups, and academic researchers can help interpret complex documents and share findings.