IACP Trust Building Campaign Sign Up

IACP Trust Building Campaign Sign Up

To join the campaign, law enforcement agencies must pledge, over the next 36 months, to implement 25 key policies and promising practices (see below). 


25 Key Policies and Promising Practices

  1. Establish a policy on bias-free policing.
  2. Increase transparency and accountability of police use of force. Publish use of force and complaint process policies.
  3. Provide officers with training and coaching on cultural responsivity.  
  4. Train officers on the unique makeup and needs of their communities based on country of origin, religious and cultural practices, etc. which may conflict with local laws.
  5. Adopt the elements of the National Consensus Policy on Use of Force into the agency’s policies and procedures. Publish use of force policy
  6. Provide regular training on the agency’s use of force policy. Training should include scenario-based exercises that incorporate de-escalation techniques.
  7. Document all use of force beyond handcuffing in agency records. Review these records on an annual basis to identify trends that need to be addressed in policy and training.
  8. Participate in the National Use of Force database.
  9. Establish an agency policy or statement that recognizes the sanctity of life and the importance of preserving human life during all encounters.  Adopting the IACP Oath of Honor will meet this requirement.
  10. Participate in accreditation, certification, or credentialing process that has an independent organization that reviews an agency’s policies and procedures.
  11. Ensure training and policy reflect a culture of equity, diversion, inclusion, accountability and that promote procedural justice for community members and employees alike.
  12. Establish an employee wellness program that includes both physical and mental health.
  13. Conduct a culture assessment of the organization, with steps taken to address areas of concern.
  14. Provide body armor to officers and require the wearing of soft body armor while on uniformed patrol.
  15. Embrace the guardian officer rather than the warrior mindset in recruiting and training.
  16. Establish minimum educational standards or equivalency requirements that can be met by prior life experience. Provide officers with the opportunity for advanced education and training opportunities.
  17. Verify potential hires with the national decertification database before hiring experienced officers.
  18. Include measures of problem-solving, trust-building, and cultural responsivity in metrics of officer performance.
  19. Train officers in Trauma-Informed Responses.
  20. Train officers on best practices, resources, and tools for communicating with community members who do not speak English or whose ability to communicate is impaired
  21. Establish partnerships to provide for mental health, substance abuse, and youth deflection/diversion resources in their community
  22. Educate communities on the dynamics of policing and set reasonable expectations for their police. Establish shared expectations of the role police have in the community and solicit review and input from the community on agency policies and procedures.
  23. Establish a clear and timely complaint process that does not require written or sworn statements to submit. Complaint processes and policies should be accessible to all.
  24. Conduct a regular recurring survey of the community to measure the level of trust in the police.
  25. Establish written strategies to engage with youth and marginalized groups in the community to develop positive relationships with police officers and how to interact safely with police.


The IACP recognizes that implementation strategies will vary across agencies. Local discretion should be utilized regarding any associated funding and/or training costs.

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