Metrics

Developing Regional CGIC Performance Metrics

Measuring performance in a Regional CGIC is essential to understanding whether the model is improving investigative outcomes, strengthening cross-jurisdictional collaboration, and reducing gun violence across the area it serves. Unlike a single-agency CGIC, a Regional CGIC must track both individual agency contributions and collective regional impact. The following framework outlines how agencies can design, implement, and maintain an effective performance-measurement system.

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1. Define the Purpose of Measurement

Before selecting metrics, stakeholders should agree on what they want the Regional CGIC to accomplish.

Common goals include:

  • Increasing participation across the region
  • Improving cross-jurisdictional coordination
  • Expediting NIBIN turnaround
  • Speeding up the investigative follow-up
  • Identifying prolific shooters and crime guns sooner
  • Increasing high-quality prosecutions

These goals will drive metric selection.

2. Establish Shared Definitions and Data Standards

Because multiple agencies contribute data, consistency is essential. All agencies should use the same terminology for leads, hits, shootings (fatal, non-fatal, drive-by), submissions, and case clearance. Without standardized definitions, regional metrics become unreliable.

3. Determine Required Data Submissions

Each participating agency should submit monthly data to the Regional CGIC Coordinator based on the identified goals. A sample spreadsheet for tracking these metrics is available for download here. Examples of Regional CGIC performance metrics could include:

  • Participation Metrics
    • # of firearms recovered
    • # of NIBIN-eligible firearms submitted
    • # of cartridge cases collected
    • % of evidence submitted to NIBIN within 24-48 hours
    • # of firearms traced in eTrace
    • # of trainings provided to participating agencies
    • # of new stakeholders added to the Regional CGIC
  • Intelligence Production Metrics
    • # of NIBIN entries
    • # of NIBIN leads
    • # of NIBIN confirmations/hits
    • Time from evidence submission to lead dissemination
    • # of fatal and non-fatal shooting in each participating agency
  • Investigative Impact Metrics
    • # of NIBIN Leads assigned for follow-up
    • # of leads resulting in firearm recovery
    • # of leads resulting in arrests or case clearance
    • # of regional cases involving two or more jurisdictions
  • Prosecutorial Outcomes
    • # of cases submitted for prosecution (state vs federal)
    • # of indictments
    • # of successful prosecutions (state vs federal)
    • Sentencing outcomes linked to Regional CGIC cases

4. Track Regional Impact Over Time

Because the benefit of a Regional CGIC model grows with participation, agencies should examine:

  • Trends in repeat shooters identified across the region
  • Trends in emerging hot spots or clusters
  • Movement of crime guns across jurisdictional boundaries
  • Use of federal prosecution for the most violent repeat offenders
  • Changes in fatal/non-fatal shootings

5. Create a Centralized Reporting System

The Regional CGIC Coordinator should maintain:

  • A monthly metrics dashboard or bulletin
  • A master dataset of participating agencies
  • A “success story” log documenting impactful cases

Dashboards can be simple (using Excel, Power BI, or SharePoint) or integrated into existing agency systems. For more information on developing a dashboard, visit the CGIC Metrics Guide.

6. Use Metrics for Continuous Improvement

Performance metrics should shape operational decisions, such as:

  • Adjusting SOPs
  • Improving turnaround times
  • Identifying agencies needing refresher training
  • Addressing delays in NIBIN submissions
  • Evaluating whether federal or local prosecution is being used effectively

Metrics should not solely record activity – they should drive action.

Components
Model

Works Cited:

[7] Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/statistical-briefing-book/offending-by-youth/faqs/qa03103