The Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program forms the basis of drug-impaired driving enforcement through training and certifying Drug Recognition Experts (DREs). The DRE responds to identify and collect vital evidence, which is often times short lived, store it through a written record, and interpret it to identify the drug category or categories responsible for the impaired driving.

These documents provide police agencies with guidelines and procedures for establishing and maintaining a DEC Program. The Considerations document and accompanying Concepts & Issues paper address the efficient use of DREs so that these specially trained officers can provide a highly effective means of identifying and apprehending drug-impaired individuals to identify and assist with the prosecution of drug-impaired drivers or other criminal incidents involving drug-impaired individuals.

The ability of police leaders, elected officials, and communities to prepare for, respond to, and successfully manage demonstrations and protests is more critical than ever. The IACP stands ready to ensure its members have the tools and resources needed to address issues they may face in times of social discord. To that end, the IACP has a wide array of resources readily available to members that address crowd management and civil demonstrations, to include: 

• Policy Center Resource: Crowd Management
• Policy Center Resource: Incident Command
• Community-Police Engagement Resource: Checklist for Civil Demonstration Response
• Community-Police Engagement Resource: Community Engagement and Dialogue
• Community-Police Engagement Resource: Options for Community Engagement and Dialogue
• Research Center Resource: Policing Campus Demonstrations
• The Mass Demonstration Rapid Response Team (MDRRT): A service of the Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center (CRI-TAC), led by the IACP in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), the MDRRT provides state, local, territorial, campus, and tribal law enforcement agencies with resources, tools, strategies, and information to problem-solve and maximize communications between the agency and community when faced with a mass demonstration event. The MDRRT offers immediate support at no cost for preparing and responding to mass demonstration events and protests through technical assistance (TA) which includes, virtual coaching/mentoring, agency peer exchange, on-site consultation, and resource referral. Requests for assistance may be submitted through the CRI-TAC website or by contacting [email protected].

Further, additional fee-based content and video training are available through IACPlearn. To view IACPlearn content, log in using your IACP account credentials. Use the below links to navigate directly to learning content and click register at the top right to access:

• IACPlearn: Use-of-Force, Crowd Control, and Civil Disturbances: A Brief Primer - FLETC
• IACPlearn: Crowd Management Policy and Tactics - A Global Perspective
• IACPlearn: The Evolution of Protests in the 21st Century and Effective Strategies for Managing Them
• IACPlearn: Proactively Developing and Integrating Communications Strategies Ahead of Public Demonstrations

Responding to calls for service efficiently is one of a police officer's primary duties, but public safety remains a priority. Inappropriate responses to calls for service can create circumstances in which the safety of the officers and public is compromised. Responding to calls, even under emergency circumstances, does not excuse law enforcement officers from operating their vehicles without reasonable care.

This resource is intended to provide guidance to law enforcement to make informed decisions in their approach to vehicular response to calls for service, depending on the nature of the call, context, and other varying situational factors. Considerations in responding to calls for service should balance the exigency of the nature of the call with public safety, traffic laws, and driving conditions.

This resource explores key considerations, including advantages and disadvantages, for locative technology to address wandering by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or dementia. It is designed to assist law enforcement and families when considering the use of locative technology.  

Submitted by the
Homeland Security Committee,
Terrorism Committee,
Aviation Committee,
and Communications and Technology Committee

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) recognizes that Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) provide significant economic and social benefits to the United States, and it is imperative for America to lead globally in this innovative technology; and WHEREAS, the IACP acknowledges the vast majority of UAS operations do not pose any threat; and

WHEREAS, the IACP believes that the misuse of UAS presents substantial economic, public safety, and national security risks. This includes disrupting commercial activity, industrial espionage, interfering with law enforcement and public safety operations, endangering others operating in the national airspace system and on the ground, terrorism and criminal activity, and other nefarious conduct; and

WHEREAS, currently, only four federal departments or agencies, the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have the authority to undertake counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) detection and mitigation actions for specifically tailored missions under specified conditions. While these authorities are crucial to protect the safety and security of critical facilities and assets, a more comprehensive approach is required to provide a layered defense and air domain awareness of sensitive public safety and private sector operations, events, and sites. Some of these include critical infrastructure facilities, prisons, mass gatherings such as sporting and entertainment events, emergency incident operations, and aviation operations. Without expanded authority, these types of events and venues face significant risk from malicious, reckless, and unauthorized UAS operations; and

WHEREAS, the nefarious use of drones is also recognized as a global and multi-national threat with the United States having experienced cross border incidents and the transport of illegal drugs, contraband, and explosives.

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) urges federal legislation to support a comprehensive approach to address the proliferation of UAS systems and counteraction of UAS systems which would, at a minimum, include the following:

• Expand DOJ and DHS existing authorities to protect critical infrastructure, crucial national assets, and commercial facilities such as transportation hubs, military installations, airports, and associated navigational aids facilities;
•  Enable and authorize state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) law enforcement and critical infrastructure operators (including airports) to detect, identify, monitor, and track UAS in their jurisdictions and around their facilities, respectively;
• Authorize and appropriate funding for pilot programs for state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) law enforcement (including airports) to deploy and evaluate C-UAS systems with appropriate controls in place, including federal training, certification, and oversight; and privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties controls commensurate with federal standards;
• Enable federal departments or agencies to effectively conduct research, testing, training, and evaluation of C-UAS identification, detection, mitigation, and engagement technology and equipment;
• Mandate inter-governmental coordination between federal departments or agencies, including DHS (including the Transportation Security Administration), DOJ (including the Federal Bureau of Investigation), the Department of Transportation (including the Federal Aviation Administration), the Federal Communications Commission, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and other appropriate federal, state, and local agencies;
•  Establish a balance between expanded C-UAS authority while protecting privacy, ensuring aviation safety, enabling continued federal regulation and oversight of the national airspace, and allowing authorized commercial activity.
• Expand the current Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) process to include an avenue for state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) law enforcement to coordinate directly with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to restrict UAS activity at special events without the need to make application through the federal departments or agencies.

Ensuring the safety and security of the national airspace and the associated ground risk is a crucial priority for our public safety organizations and the ability to counteract malicious, reckless, and unauthorized UAS operations plays a significant role in achieving that objective. 

Support for a “Public-Private Partnership Day”

Proposed by: Private Sector Liaison Section

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) strongly supports efforts of law enforcement and the private sector to engage in strong public-private partnerships; and,

WHEREAS, IACP strives to provide law enforcement executives with knowledge regarding the establishment of effective public/private partnerships, and how to achieve effective interactions supporting the advancement of community engagement, safety and security involving the private sector, law enforcement, intelligence, homeland security and emergency management by these communities working collaboratively; and,

WHEREAS, IACP strives to provide a forum for the representation of the thoughts, concerns and issues of the private sector, security industry, non-governmental organizations and not-for-profit organizations, to the executive leadership of the police community and,

WHEREAS, the IACP, and strives to acquaint law enforcement executives with information on technology, intelligence and resources available within the private sector that might serve the interests and needs of the law enforcement community; and

WHEREAS, IACP maintains a Private Sector Liaison Section to assist the IACP and its membership in coordinating efforts to implement mutual objectives of improving community engagement and public safety through public/private partnerships; and,

WHEREAS, IACP strives to increase the knowledge and understanding of the value, benefits, and importance of public/private partnerships within the private sector, and strives to gain full public support for such partnerships within the community at large and among all law enforcement agencies; and, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the IACP supports the establishment of an annual “Public-Private Partnership Day” for law enforcement and its private sector partners, in celebration and recognition of the commitment, many contributions and dedicated hard work of partner agencies securing our communities, our infrastructure, and enhancing the safety and security of all; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP strongly encourages the widest possible dissemination of information about effective public-private partnerships; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP encourages the selection of a date for “Public-Private Partnership Day” that will focus attention of the community and the private sector on the value of partnerships during an appropriate time of year.

The resources below provide law enforcement with guidance on preparing for and responding to incidents involving missing children with autism.    

Understanding Children on the Autism Spectrum: A Guide for First Responders provides law enforcement with information on missing children with autism, including characteristics and behaviors of children on the autism spectrum, strategies for building awareness through community partnerships, and tips on using technological solutions to locate children who have gone missing.  

Children on the Autism Spectrum: Search Protocols & Questionnaire for First Responders provides law enforcement with key information and guidance regarding searching for children with autism who have gone missing. Recommended questions for law enforcement to ask families and caregivers are included.

Tips for Caregivers Supporting Children on the Autism Spectrum is a customizable resource for law enforcement to share with their communities. It provides guidance for caregivers to prepare for and respond to wandering incidents.  

These resources were developed under IACP’s Home Safe Project, in collaboration with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and The Arc of the United States’ National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability, supported by the Bureau of Justice Assistance.  

These resources are supported by Cooperative Agreement No. 2019-NT-BX-K002 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions contained herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. References to specific agencies, companies, products, or services should not be considered an endorsement by the author(s) or the U.S. Department of Justice. Rather, the references are illustrations to supplement discussion of the issues. 

Submitted by:
Police Psychological Services Section

Co-Sponsors:
Police Professional Standards, Ethics, and Image Committee
Retired Chiefs of Police Section

WHEREAS, law enforcement agencies are tasked with engaging in a rigorous vetting and selection process with regard to hiring personnel, including the identification of candidates who are psychologically suitable for police and public safety work; and

WHEREAS, there are a variety of methods currently employed to vet and select police and public safety personnel; and

WHEREAS, most states (e.g., 37 states at present) have enacted laws requiring a preemployment psychological evaluation prior to a candidate being hired to work as a law enforcement officer; and

WHEREAS, correctly identifying psychologically suitable candidates for hire, and correctly identifying and screening out psychologically unsuitable candidates for hire will improve the overall effectiveness and trust of law enforcement agencies; and

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), has published guidelines on preemployment psychological evaluations and encourages all law enforcement agencies to follow them with the goal of achieving the best possible hiring decisions with regard to police and public safety personnel, and

WHEREAS, the IACP guidelines indicate that agencies should utilize examiners who are licensed, doctoral-level psychologists trained and experienced specifically in the provision of preemployment psychological evaluations for public safety positions, and who participate in regular, ongoing continuing education and training that is specific to preemployment screening in addition to that of a more general police psychology nature, and be familiar with the overall hiring/selection process of the hiring agency and procedures required by law; and now therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the IACP promote and support use of the guidelines in law enforcement agencies both nationally and internationally.

Using sobering centers as an alternative to arrest can strengthen public trust, minimize harm, save agency and jail resources, and connect individuals to services. Download the Sobering Centers Implementation Guide for considerations on how to plan, implement, and sustain a sobering center within your jurisdiction. 

This document offers information to guide police leaders in the development of collaborative partnerships with sobering centers as an alternative to arrest for charges of intoxication. These partnerships can be leveraged to divert individuals that could otherwise be arrested for intoxication-related offenses to a facility independent of the criminal justice system where they can be safely monitored as they recover from intoxication. Sobering centers seek to better connect individuals to needed support and services and to leverage police resources in a way that is both effective and less intrusive than arrest. 

The Mentor Match program was developed by IACP to facilitate the ability of those in the policing profession to connect with their peers for professional guidance and advice. This may be through a formalized long-term mentoring relationship, or it may be a project-specific consultation. Mentor Match can help you find, connect, and share experiences with others from anywhere in the world and the relationships that result may look different for everyone, depending on their unique needs.

911 telecommunicators are the first line of defense for ensuring swift and safe recoveries of missing children on the autism spectrum. This resource provides 911 telecommunicators and dispatchers with questions to ask a caller when a child with autism goes missing. The checklist covers questions about the child’s experience outside, health/general conditions, sensory or behavioral triggers, and communication/locative technologies for quick dissemination of this information to responding law enforcement.  

This resource was developed under IACP’s Home Safe Project, led by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and in collaboration with The Arc of the United States’ National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability. This resource was supported by the Bureau of Justice Assistance.   

To learn more about IACP’s Home Safe Project or to request hard copies, contact [email protected].  

These five resources provide law enforcement with information on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. These resources can be used by law enforcement to help assess and assist individuals in need.   

 The 10 Warning Signs a Driver May Have Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia pocket card provides law enforcement with ten basic warning signs a driver may have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and ten steps ensuring positive interactions.   

 The Did You Know postcard provides law enforcement with quick reference points on the Dos and Don’ts of effectively interacting with an individual with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.   

 The Identifying and Evaluating the At-Risk Older Adult evaluation card contains assessment questions to help law enforcement identify and evaluate an at-risk adult’s orientation and memory. This resource also provides recommendations law enforcement can provide regarding driving for individuals who are exhibiting impaired orientation and memory.   

 The Identifying and Helping a Driver with Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia brochure provides law enforcement and motorist assist workers with the warning signs a driver may have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and includes information about what to do when interacting with an individual who may have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.   

 The Senior Drivers: Did You Know? postcard informs law enforcement of the signs of unsafe driving and provides them with steps that can be taken when interacting with a senior driver who is exhibiting unsafe driving. 

These resources were updated under the Home Safe Project, in partnership with the Autism Society of America and supported by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. These resources were originally developed under IACP’s Alzheimer’s Initiative.

To learn more about IACP’s Home Safe Project or to request hard copies, contact [email protected].