What should be done before disposing of notes with regard to policy?

• A. Dispose of notes immediately after interviews.
• B. Shred them without checking policy.
• C. Delete digital notes without archiving.
• D. Follow the agency's note retention policies before disposing of them.

Answer: (D)

Before disposing of notes, you should follow the agency's note retention policies. These guidelines specify how long records must be kept, when they should be archived, and the approved methods for destruction. Adhering to them ensures you preserve information for legitimate needs such as audits or investigations, protects confidentiality by disposing of materials only after the retention period, and uses secure destruction methods. It covers both paper and digital notes, including when to archive versus destroy. Skipping the policy risks destroying records prematurely, violating procedures, or improperly exposing sensitive data. So, following the agency's retention rules before disposal keeps records management compliant and protects everyone involved.