The availability and use of automated license plate readers (ALPR) systems have provided many opportunities for the enhancement of productivity, effectiveness, and officer safety. 

These documents provide officers with guidelines on the proper use of ALPR systems, also commonly known as license plate recognition systems.

Law enforcement agencies are better able to respond to line-of-duty deaths in a prompt, organized manner and remain sensitive to the profound human emotions survivors must confront when they establish systematic policies and procedures before the death occurs. These documents are designed to assist agencies in developing policies that provide support to survivors of an officer who dies in the line of duty, as well as agency personnel who may have been affected.

This topic has been combined with the Crime Scene Response policy. 

Please contact the Policy Center with any questions. 

Law enforcement agencies should manage the function of criminal investigation in an effective and efficient manner by coordinating the efforts of patrol and other investigative organizational components.

These documents are intended to ensure the efficient and effective management of the criminal investigation function by providing administrative guidance that identifies the responsibilities and investigative processes within the patrol and investigative components of the department.

This topic has been archived - it is intended for reference purposes only and will not be updated.

Every employee has the right to be treated fairly in matters arising from employment and have the opportunity to be heard fully any time his or her right to fair treatment has been violated. A carefully designed grievance process can help to reduce personnel dissatisfaction, improve morale, identify problems in the organization, and increase the positive perception employees have of their employment with this department.

These documents provide a procedure whereby employees may resolve certain disputes or complaints concerning their employment.

This topic has been archived - it is intended for reference purposes only and will not be updated. 

This topic has been combined with the Employee Mental Health and Wellness policy.

Please contact the Policy Center with any questions.

The professional and uniform appearance of officers furthers the goals of law enforcement agencies by projecting a positive and professional image to the public. Appearance standards should meet any applicable legal requirements, while also reflecting community standards and norms. These documents are designed to assist agencies in the creation of grooming and appearance policies that balance professionalism with diversity in appearance and self-expression.

In a time where the costs of liability insurance continue to rise driving many towns to self-insure or join insurance pools, law enforcement executives have a vested interest in prohibiting workplace harassment and discrimination, both from a moral and an economic viewpoint. The prudent approach is to establish the line for unacceptable conduct at a point below the level of what would likely constitute legally actionable behavior. These documents provide guidance regarding harassment using technology, the importance of training, legal remedies, and the prohibition and prevention of workplace harassment and discrimination.

Civil disturbances and demonstrations have changed over the years, as have the tactics and techniques of law enforcement agencies called upon to manage and control them. These documents identify common principles of crowd policing that have been shown to serve the best interest of law enforcement agencies, their communities, and those who crowd participants.

This topic is under review by the IACP Policy Center. For more information, please email the Policy Center.

Any acts or threats of violence, property damage, harassment, intimidation, or other crimes motivated by hate and bias and designed to infringe upon the rights of individuals should be viewed very seriously by law enforcement agencies and should be given high priority. Agencies should employ all necessary resources and vigorous law enforcement action to identify and arrest hate crime perpetrators. Also, recognizing the particular fears and distress typically suffered by victims, the potential for reprisal and escalation of violence, and the far-reaching negative consequences of these crimes on the community, agencies should be mindful of and responsive to the security concerns of victims and their families.

These documents establish guidelines for identifying and investigating hate crimes and assisting victimized individuals and communities. A swift and strong response by law enforcement can help stabilize and calm the community as well as aid in a victim’s recovery.

*Indicates this topic is free to the public.

These documents provide guidelines for law enforcement officers in preventing the contraction of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

This topic has been archived - it is intended for reference purposes only and will not be updated.

Most officers will have encounters with persons who are deaf or affected by significant hearing loss — whether that be as victims, witnesses, or suspects. To ensure effective communication with persons who are deaf and hard of hearing, and to conform to provisions of federal and state law, officers should follow established guidelines.

These documents provide guidance on effective communication during police contacts with the deaf and persons who have hearing impairment.