The purpose of the survey instrument is to collect as candid an appraisal of the departments' operations/management processes and status as possible. Surveyors are encouraged to get data that is exact and accurate. Soft data, unavailable information, and the source of whatever policy is actually in effect are as important as hard data, solid answers, and the formal policies that are nominally in effect. Only valid data is useful in the creation of relevant technical assistance. There are twelve categories of data sought. These include: general organizational information, communications and dispatch, records, ADP, crime analysis, patrol operations, tactical units, investigative units, crime prevention, training, career criminals, and grant information.