In some entities, the DPCO may be a facilitator that uses the resources of other experts. In other agencies, the DPCO may be a data practices expert in his or her own right. As indicated in the language quoted in question 1, the DPCO helps resolve data practices questions, concerns or problems. The Legislature intends that the DPCO assist citizens in particular in resolving data practices disputes. The DPCO has several responsibilities.
Common sense does play a role in applying the law.
For example, the request is for a large volume of public data held by your entity. Rather than wait and produce all the data at once, discuss with the requester how the data might be produced in stages or how the request might be narrowed in a way that satisfies the requester's needs and that can be produced in a single result. The Department of Administration's Information Policy Analysis Division is available as a resource for DPCOs to use in resolving questions or concerns. The consistent application of law, policy and procedure without your entity is a matter for internal resolution. If, for example, there is another employee appointed as the DPCO back up, you will both need to apply law, policy and procedure in the same way.