The IACP and Yale, with support from OJJDP, have launched the Enhancing Police Responses to Children Exposed to Violence: A Toolkit for Law Enforcement which provides practical tools and resources to assist law enforcement agencies in building or enhancing effective operational responses to children exposed to violence (with or without a mental health partner). This resource contains tools organized in four types: 

Informational:

• Chief’s Briefing on Children Exposed to Violence
• The Officer’s Role in Responding to Traumatized Children

Operational Protocols:

• On-Scene Acute Protocol for Children Exposed to Violence
• Protocol for Responding to the Needs of Children at Scenes of Domestic Violence
• Principles and Practices of Death Notification to Children

Assessment:

• Organizational Self-Assessment Tool and Action Planning Tool

Operational Tools:

• Reactions that Police May Observe From Children and Youth
• What Traumatic Stress Reactions May Look Like On Scene?
• Effective Police Responses to Traumatic Stress in Children of Different Ages
• Commonly Asked Questions from Children and Example Police Responses
• Common Issues with Caregivers and Police Responses
• What To Do When Your Child Is Exposed to Violence – Brochure
• Teaching the Tactical Breathing Technique to Children and Parents

Law enforcement and mental health providers working with law enforcement may request hardcopy toolkits by contacting: CEV@theiacp.org