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This resource provides law enforcement and justice agencies with guidance and recommendations on issues to consider when developing a social media policy or updating other relevant policies, focusing on access, use, storage, and dissemination of information obtained from social media sites for investigative and criminal intelligence purposes. The document includes recommended elements of the… (read more)

The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) invested considerable time and resources examining the impact that CEDs have had on law enforcement agencies and communities across the country. While the guidelines and glossary in this document are not meant to represent the final and definitive perspectives on conducted energy devices (CED), they do provide needed clarification and information that… (read more)

This VALOR training module was created in response to the ambush-style assaults that have led to the injuries or deaths of many law enforcement officers in recent years. This training is designed to give officers tools to help prevent and react to ambush attacks.

The Police-Mental Health Collaboration (PMHC) Toolkit provides resources for law enforcement agencies to partner with mental health providers to effectively respond to calls for service, improve outcomes for people with mental illness, and advance the safety of all. This toolkit will serve as the comprehensive, go-to source for any information related to these important collaboration efforts. In… (read more)

A comprehensive program created by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), to leverage existing DOJ resources to deliver strategic, intensive training and technical assistance (TTA) in an "all-hands" approach to reduce violence in some of the country's most violent cities. This data-driven, evidence-based initiative complements… (read more)

The Smart Policing Initiative (SPI) is a Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) sponsored initiative that supports law enforcement agencies in building evidence-based, data-driven law enforcement tactics and strategies that are effective, efficient, and economical. Smart Policing represents a strategic approach that brings more science into police operations by leveraging innovative applications of… (read more)

The Body-Worn Camera Toolkit is an online clearinghouse of resources designed to support law enforcement professionals and the communities they serve plan and implement body-worn camera programs. This free and easy-to-use online resource consolidates and translates the growing body of knowledge about body-worn camera programs and technology. The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) developed this… (read more)

Spectator events at colleges and universities are symbolic of American life, and there is no event more iconic than college football games. The campus, the crowds, and the media are all elements that make campus events a target for a terrorist attack. In December 2011 a Campus Security Focus Group of experienced university police leaders convened to identify promising practices for providing… (read more)

This document is focused on identifying strategies that contribute to preventing, not predicting, incidents of targeted violence that result in mass casualty events. It is the result of a multi-agency collaborative conference held at Quantico, Virginia, in August of 2013. Seven promising avenues for prevention that emerged from this effort: 1) Prepare preparation is essential - a mass… (read more)

This guide is the culmination of nearly two years of work following a 2015 gathering of multidisciplinary experts and the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit. The purpose of this gathering was to discuss solutions to reduce attacks such as mass shootings and other forms of targeted violence including stalking, terrorism, or ambush attacks on law enforcement. This publication represents the results of… (read more)

The FBI's objective for this initiative was to examine specific behaviors that may precede an attack and which might be useful in identifying, assessing, and managing those who may be on a pathway to deadly violence. By articulating the concrete, observable pre-attack behaviors of many active shooters, the FBI hopes to make these warning signs more visible and easily identifiable. This… (read more)

In 2014, the FBI initiated a study of active shooter incidents with the goal to provide federal, state, and local law enforcement with data so they can better understand how to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from these incidents. As a result, the FBI identified 160 active shooter incidents that occurred in the U.S. between 2000 and 2013. The FBI has since published… (read more)

This is an addendum to the FBI's study of active shooter incidents from 2000 to 2013. An analysis of 2014 and 2015 active shooter incidents has identified 20 incidents in each of the years. The methodology to identify incidents is the same as articulated in A Study of Active Shooter Incidents in the United States Between 2000 and 2013. To ensure consistency… (read more)

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Pennsylvania State University developed this no-cost, online training module for campus safety officers, law enforcement officers, victim advocates, chaplains, medical examiners, hospital personnel and anyone else who may have to deliver a death notification. The We Regret to Inform You training curriculum is built around a four-step process: plan,… (read more)

This quasi-experimental evaluation examined the effectiveness of the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP), a collaboration between police and social service providers that aimed to decrease rates of repeat, severe, lethal and near-lethal domestic violence while increasing rates of emergency safety planning and help-seeking. Under LAP, a police officer responding to the scene of a domestic violence… (read more)

This guidance from the Department of Justice (DOJ) is designed to help law enforcement agencies prevent gender bias in their response to sexual assault and domestic violence, highlighting the need for clear policies, robust training and responsive accountability systems. This document is intended to reflect and further DOJ's partnership with the police leaders, line officers and detectives who… (read more)

These guidelines should be used to ensure fusion centers are established and operated consistently, resulting in enhanced coordination efforts, strengthened partnerships, and improved crime-fighting and anti-terrorism capabilities. The guidelines and related materials will provide assistance to centers as they prioritize and address threats posed in their specific jurisdictions for all crime… (read more)

This guidance will help ensure that the Department of Justice continues to carry out its law enforcement and national security missions while respecting individuals' privacy, civil rights and civil liberties. It will also help ensure an appropriate level of accountability and transparency. This policy guidance does not replace, and is complementary to, the Federal Aviation Administration rules… (read more)

The VRRC was established under the direction of the Attorney General to connect state, local, and tribal justice agencies with violent crime reduction training and technical assistance (TTA) resources offered by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). By providing direct referrals to DOJ crime reduction publications, grant opportunities, and TTA, VRRC serves as a one-stop shop to connect… (read more)

The National Public Safety Partnership (PSP) was established in June 2017 under the direction of Attorney General Jeff Sessions in response to President Trump’s Executive Order on a Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety. The PSP provides an innovative framework for DOJ to enhance its support of state, tribal, and local law enforcement officers and prosecutors in the investigation,… (read more)

In December 2015, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission launched a research initiative, Advancing Diversity in Law Enforcement, both to identify barriers that undermine diversity in law enforcement and to highlight promising practices that help agencies better reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. The initiative focused on barriers and… (read more)

Over the past two years, more than $41 million in awards have been made through Bureau of Justice Assistance's Body-Worn Camera Program. Read this fiscal year 2016 update to learn more about the program, see current and past year award amounts, and view fiscal year 2016 recipient details.

To assist states, schools, and their law enforcement partners in assessing the proper role of school resource officers (SROs) and campus law enforcement professionals, both the Justice Department's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services and the Education Department released letters to states and districts emphasizing the importance of well-designed SRO programs and calling on leaders of… (read more)

This fact sheet provides information about Office of Justice Programs' efforts, funding, and technical assistance resources available regarding body-worn cameras.

The Neurobiology of Sexual Assault: Implications for First Responders in Law Enforcement, Prosecution and Victim Advocacy is part of the National Institute of Justice's translational criminology seminar series and features Dr. Rebecca Campbell of Michigan State University. Dr. Campbell discusses the research on the neurobiology of trauma and the criminal justice system response to sexual assault… (read more)

This document was created to provide law enforcement guidance when developing policies and procedures for the retention, disposition, and/or removal of evidence. While law enforcement agencies typically have appropriate policies and procedures for evidence in general, most do not specifically address the types of evidence often found in a sexual assault case. This document also addresses evidence… (read more)

When people experience trauma, they go through a process that many professionals - as well as the individuals themselves - do not understand. For example, most of us were trained to believe that when an individual experiences a traumatic event, the brain records the majority of the details investigators need, or want to know, about the event: Who, What, Where, Why, When and How? Unfortunately,… (read more)

When people experience trauma, they go through a process that many professionals - as well as the individuals themselves - do not understand. For example, most of us were trained to believe that when an individual experiences a traumatic event, the brain records the majority of the details investigators need, or want to know, about the event: Who, What, Where, Why, When and How? Unfortunately,… (read more)

These standards were developed in response to Executive Order 13688 Federal Support for Local Law Enforcement Equipment Acquisition, released by President Barack Obama on January 16, 2015. The standards follow the guidelines developed by the Law Enforcement Working Group in their Recommendations Pursuit to Executive Order 13688 Federal Support for Local Law Enforcement Acquisition.

This resource brief is targeted to law enforcement who respond and interact directly with youth in the field. It provides information for officers to better understand normal adolescent development and tailor their responses to youth in an age- and developmentally-appropriate manner to obtain better cooperation from youth, provide better life outcomes for youth, and develop better relations… (read more)

The purpose of this policy is to emphasize that an effective response to the needs of crime victims is an integral part of the law enforcement mission. This essential function, performed by both sworn and civilian personnel, should address victims' needs by establishing a continuum of support as victims progress through the various phases of the criminal justice process. As first responders, law… (read more)

This paper is designed to accompany the Model Policy on Response to Victims of Crime established by the IACP National Law Enforcement Policy Center. It provides essential background material and supporting documentation on the developmental philosophy and implementation requirements of the model policy. This material will be of value to law enforcement executives in their efforts to tailor the… (read more)

Sexual violence perpetrated against individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and queer (LGBTQ+) warrants the full attention of law enforcement agencies. It is imperative that law enforcement agencies strive to build strong relationships with leaders and members of LGBTQ+ communities and implement effective strategies department wide through agency mission,… (read more)

This paper was designed to accompany the Model Policy on Responding to Persons Affected by Mental Illness or in Crisis developed by the IACP National Law Enforcement Policy Center. This paper provides essential background material and supporting documentation to provide greater understanding of the developmental philosophy and implementation requirements for the… (read more)

This comprehensive guide highlights the sanctity and importance for law enforcement to protect the civil rights of the citizens they serve. This guide addresses protecting civil rights, sustaining community outreach and engagement, early intervention, managing complaints, managing use of force, addressing racial profiling, including personnel and data-management issues.

The Protect and Serve Presidential Initiative is intended to provide law enforcement officers with the tools and resources they need to help build sustainable community relationships and to educate the public on the role of law enforcement. Through this webpage, IACP members will have access to talking points, model policies, facts and figures about law enforcement, stories from the field,… (read more)

Pursuits have unintended consequences to bystanders and the community. Law enforcement is continually evolving practices and policies to keep the officers and community safe. This guide analyzes data collected by the IACP and provides a review of existing studies of police pursuits, a discussion of contemporary pursuit policies, and presents a broader framework for thinking about pursuits in an… (read more)

This is the official blog of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. There you will find information and resources on a wide variety of law enforcement and public safety topics.

Though few officers will be directly involved in a hostile shooting situation during their careers, many more may experience the impact of one; the effects of such events touch not only the officer involved, but the department and the community as well. Because of the gravity of officer-involved shootings, it is vitally important to ensure that the agency and its officers are prepared in advance… (read more)

Officer-involved shootings, though relatively rare when compared to the number of interactions law enforcement officers have with the public each day, tend to be high profile events that draw media coverage and sometimes citizen concern. This guide stresses the importance to have in place protocols to investigate an officer-involved shooting without prejudice and to be transparent with the… (read more)

The model policy highlights the unique challenges that law enforcement agencies face in responding to or encountering situations involving persons displaying behaviors consistent with mental illness or crisis and provides guidance, techniques, and resources so that the situation can be resolved in a constructive manner. IACP's white paper, Responding to Persons Affected by… (read more)