Project Information
The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the Joyce Foundation have created a partnership to more effectively address the deadly problem of gun violence. Gun violence kills roughly 30,000 people each year, second only to automobile crashes in causes of injury- related death, and the incidence of gun related deaths appears to be on the rise. While overall crime is at its lowest level in more than three decades, Americans fell victim to gun violence at a higher rate last year than in 2004.
Both IACP and the Joyce Foundation are deeply concerned about the far- reaching economic and social effects of gun violence. They recognize the need to develop a sound body of data and research to increase understanding of firearms violence and to encourage the study of best practices among law enforcement officials and policymakers. They are committed to aiding in the development and promotion of educated policy reform regarding firearms violence at the local, state and national levels. Collaboration between the IACP and the Joyce Foundation seeks to address all aspects of gun violence and to invigorate and strengthen the efforts of law enforcement officials, criminal justice agencies, the medical and health communities, advocacy groups, and policy makers in combating firearms violence.
Six Topics Addressed
IACP and the Joyce Foundation have identified six areas of concern pertaining to the issue of gun violence. These topics were examined at the summit and will remain an important aspect of any additional partnership projects.
Illegal Firearm Trafficking
Gang / Youth Violence
Illicit Drug Markets and Guns
Suicide
Domestic Violence
Officer Safety
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About the Joyce Foundation
Based in Chicago with assets of $900 million, the Joyce Foundation supports efforts to strengthen public policies in ways that improve quality of life in the Great Lakes region. Since 1993, the Foundation has made more than $30 million in grants to groups seeking public health solutions that offer promise of reducing gun deaths and injuries in America. Other program areas are Education, Employment, Environment, Money and Politics and Culture.
Gun Violence Programs Contact:
Senior Program Officer, Nina Vinik
Joyce Foundation
70 W. Madison Street
Chicago, IL 60602
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Project Resources
In collaboration with the Joyce Foundation of Chicago, the IACP released Reducing Gun Violence in Our Communities: A Leadership Guide for Law Enforcement on Effective Strategies and Programs. This report is a companion document to the 2007 Taking a Stand: Reducing Gun Violence in Our Communities report. Together, they present a comprehensive set of information on the problem of gun violence. The Leadership Guide takes the reader through the history of gun violence reduction initiatives, then breaks down approaches to firearm violence reduction, looking at firearm diversion and trafficking, working with Federal Firearm Licensees, gun shows, gang violence prevention, youth safety, community safety, and domestic violence. Download the electronic version or contact the IACP Research Center at 800-THE-IACP, extension 392 for printed copies (while supplies last).
In 2007, The IACP, in conjunction with the Joyce Foundation, held a National Policy Summit on Gun Violence Reduction in Chicago, IL. The summit gathered 200 law enforcement leaders, executives, partners and advocates to draft recommendations to reduce the toll of gun violence. Their efforts were instrumental in creating a successful summit and the report, Taking A Stand: Reducing Gun Violence in our Communities, containing the results and recommendations of that summit. The report focuses on three main topics: Keeping Communities Safe, Preventing and Solving Gun Crime and Keeping Police Officers Safe.
Reducing Gun Violence in Your Community: A Planning Guide to Assess Local Needs and Implement Summit Recommendations is a checklist of all 39 recommendations in the 2007 report that a community can use to quickly asses what has been completed and what needs attention.
 Joining Forces Newsletter: A Committed Course of Action
The Joining Forces Newsletter is released periodically throughout the year and will be posted on this website. Future Issues will highlight successful research, best practices in the area of gun violence, forums and programs that law enforcement officials and their agencies can get involved bin, and future updates and progress on the partnership between IACP and the Joyce Foundation.
Joining Forces Newsletter: Asking Saves Kids
Joining Forces Newsletter: Study on the Community Policing Services (COPS) Program
Joining Forces Newsletter: The Battle Against Firearms Violence
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2008 Project Initiatives
Law Enforcement Leadership Roundtables
During the summer of 2008 the IACP/Joyce Foundation Taking A Stand Against Gun Violence initiative is being rolled out in both cities and states across the U.S. Project work includes both local jurisdictions as well as statewide planning. Target states include Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Target Cities include Chicago, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Each pilot implementation is being designed to meet the needs of the state or city and will include initiation, outreach, strategy development, implementation and ultimately evaluation of Taking A Stand recommendations. IACP staff support will be provided to each jurisdiction.
Goals
- Identify core areas for improvement and development
- Categorize state-specific needs surrounding Taking A Stand recommendations
- Prioritize short and long term goals
- Develop a strategy that can be implemented to reduce gun violence
- Create an action plan to implement specific strategies
- Track progress and development using IACP resources and support
Project Highlights Summer 2008
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2009-2010 Project initiatives
The overarching goal of the project will be to continue to produce measurable results at the national, state and local levels to reduce gun violence. Working collaboratively with the Joyce Foundation and other allied organizations, IACP will develop/implement strategic initiatives in all project areas that work toward not only achieving the overall project goal but will also facilitate related activities that show promise of long-term positive impact.
At the national level, the IACP will provide support for legislative initiatives directed at keeping communities and police officers safe; identify and enlist strategic partners; and develop and distribute materials to enhance efforts to reduce gun violence.
At the state and local levels, we will continue outreach efforts to agencies and state associations of chiefs of police and support of their efforts to reduce gun violence through providing site support and technical assistance. We will continue to keep law enforcement leaders informed of programs and other assistance available to assist their efforts to reduce gun violence.
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Other Resources
The ultimate goal of NVDRS is to provide communities with a clearer understanding of violent deaths so they can be prevented. NVDRS accomplishes this goal by:
- informing decision makers and program planners about the magnitude, trends, and characteristics of violent deaths so appropriate prevention efforts can be put into place; and
- evaluating state-based prevention programs and strategies.
NVDRS has four main objectives:
- to link records on violent deaths that occurred in the same incident to help identify risk factors for multiple homicides or homicides-suicides;
- to provide timely preliminary information on violent deaths (e.g., basic counts of murders and suicides) through faster data retrieval-currently, vital statistics data are not available until two years after a death;
- to describe in detail the circumstances that may have contributed to a violent death; and
- to better characterize perpetrators, including their relationships to victim(s).
Mission:
The mission of FICAP is to create safer communities through the systematic reduction of injury and its repercussions to the individual, family, and society. FICAP seeks to achieve its mission by stimulating firearm and injury research, supporting efforts to translate research findings into practice, and broadly disseminating information to policymakers.
Background:
The Firearm & Injury Center at Penn, founded in 1997, was established in the Division of Traumatology and Surgical Critical Care at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. FICAP is a unique collaboration among health care professionals, researchers and communities to address the magnitude and impact of firearm injury and violence.
Current Projects:
- Philadelphia Collaborative Violence Prevention Center
- Pennsylvania Injury Reporting and Intervention System
- Philadelphia Gun and Alcohol Study
- Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN)
- University of Pennsylvania’s Provost Seminar Series
Executive Summary:
Firearm violence has become an epidemic problem for urban America, especially among its youth. More U.S. teenagers die from gunshot wounds than all natural causes of disease combined, in particular within metropolitan areas. The Centers for Disease Control studied firearms-related deaths for children under the age of 15 in 26 countries and found that 86% of those types of deaths occurred in the United States. Studies of assault and homicide incidents indicate that attacks with firearms lead to the death of the victim far more frequently than attacks using other types of weapons typically available to assailants. Just as incredible is the burden to our citizenry of the cost of medical treatment for gunshot victims, which is estimated to be $112 billion yearly.
IACP Net
IACP NetSM, the portal to law enforcement on the Internet, is your one-stop shop for up-to-date information on policies, ordinances, programs, and innovations. Since 1991, IACP Net has been facilitating the exchange of solutions and fostering cooperation between leading departments and agencies. Increasing their effectiveness and efficiency, members benefit personally, as do their departments and their communities.
Not signed up for IACP NET? Visit www.iacpnet.com to become a member.
Goals
- Track how officers are getting hurt and identify those that cause the greatest number of injuries or deaths.
- Address each area of vulnerability by determining where existing solutions can be adapted for officer safety and where other solutions are lacking.
- Work to develop specifications for equipment solutions and identify training and policy remedies as applicable.
- Provide best practices, updates, recommendations, product warnings and guidelines for keeping officers safe.
- Support a culture of zero tolerance for injuries
Objectives:
 -Increase awareness of the positive reasons for wearing soft body armor, informing officers of how they have contributed to saving lives across the country.
-Notify agencies of new developments in ballistic vest technology and its potential impact on officer safety.
-Increase the wearing of soft body armor by police officers across the country.
-Promote media coverage of the project for enhanced awareness.
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Firearms Committee
The Firearms Committee’s mission is to study, consider, and determine the various methods and means by which crimes involving firearms are committed, including the make and type of firearm most often employed; survey, investigate, and evaluate the techniques and methods employed by police agencies in solving and reducing the incidence of these crimes, report to the Association for dissemination to all police agencies all pertinent information and recommendations that will assist them in combating these major crimes; and advise the Association on matters pertaining to the use, availability, and ownership of firearms.
For more information on the IACP Firearms Committee, contact IACP Staff Liaison, Jack Grant at grantjc@theiacp.org.
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Firearms Model Policies
To obtain a copy of the IACP’s firearms model policy, visit the National Law Enforcement Policy Center.
Topics of Interest:
- Body Armor
- Post-Shooting Incident Procedures
- Firearms
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Contact Information
 For More Information Regarding the IACP/Joyce Foundation Partnership and Current Initiatives, Please Contact:
Courtney E. Mariette - Training Coordinator at mariette@theiacp.org
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