This brief discusses how comprehensive, evidence-based training on both physical tactics and communication and teamwork can meaningfully reduce use of force severity, injuries to officers and suspects, and agency liability.

Adapted from Huff, J., Zauhar, S., & Agniel, D. (2024). From pain compliance to leverage-based control: Evidence of reduced use of force severity and injuries following police training. Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice, 18, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1093/police/paae037

This brief discusses how community-driven and problem-solving approaches to disorder policing work to reduce crime and improve safety. This style of disorder policing preserves community trust, and it is more effective at reducing crime than aggressive, arrest-driven techniques.

Adapted from Braga, A.A., Schnell, C., & Welsh, B.C. (2024). Disorder policing to reduce crime: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.  Criminology & Public Policy, 23(3), 735-775. https://doi.10.1111/1745-9133.12667. 

At its recent governing body meetings, the leadership of the IACP adopted two critical resolutions aimed at strengthening public safety, protecting police officers, and promoting responsible leadership and accountability in both public discourse and in enforcement operations.

Mass casualty and terrorist events are among the most complex challenges faced by public safety, putting strain on local resources and response capabilities at the exact time a coordinated, multijurisdictional response is required. Moreover, they can have a lasting impact on the physical and mental health of responders and community members long after the event has occurred.

The IACP has developed a host of resources to support policing professionals in the prevention of, response to, and aftermath of mass casualty and terrorist events.

This brief discusses how using citywide populations as the benchmark for assessing racial disparities in police stops overstates bias and misrepresents the realities of policing. 

Adapted from  Ratcliffe, J.H. & Hyland, S.S. (2025). Police stops and naïve denominators. Crime Science, 14(10).

The Chief of Police 

The City of Burlington has undertaken a significant, multi-year process to incorporate the intersection of public safety and public health into community safety strategies, including rebuilding the Burlington Police Department through a lens of community trust-building and engagement outside traditional policing models. Strong candidates will be a visible leader with a genuine desire to become an active participant in the Burlington community and have a resolute commitment to developing long-term, collaborative and respectful relationships within City government and across the community and have experience with outreach and public engagement in a racially and culturally diverse community setting.

THE CHIEF OF POLICE

The City of Newton seeks a forward-looking Police Chief to lead the Newton Police Department (NPD) and advance its mission of fair, respectful, safe, and effective policing. Reporting to the Mayor, the Chief serves as the department’s executive leader, overseeing all operations, community policing, and crime prevention initiatives. The next Chief, while nurturing a culture of self-examination and constant improvement, must also support NPD’s sworn officers and civilian staff. In this period of high scrutiny, the Chief must be a role model, demonstrate a love of the profession, and support the morale, health, well-being and safety of personnel.

The successful candidate will be:

• An adaptive leader committed to continuous improvement.
• Skilled at building trust across diverse communities and within the department.
• An effective communicator with cultural awareness and empathy.
• Experienced in managing staff, budgets, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Committed to engaging with department and community members from varied backgrounds and perspectives.
• Reform-minded, promoting procedural justice and a guardianship culture.

This brief discusses how officer turnover continues to rise but is driven less by trauma exposure and more by organizational and operational stressors. Agencies can improve retention by addressing burnout, supporting wellness, and fostering commitment to both the organization and the policing profession.

Adapted from Drew, J.M., Sargeant, E., & Martin, S. (2024). Why do police consider leaving the profession?: The interplay between job demand stress, burnout, psychological distress, and commitment. Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice, 18. https://doi.org/10.1093/police/paae036

This brief discusses how procedural justice training at crime hot spots can reduce arrests, improve officer behavior, and lower crime without eroding public trust.

Adapted from Weisburd, D., Telep, C.W., Vovak, H., Zastrow, T., Braga, A.A., & Turchan, B. (2022). Reforming the police through procedural justice training: A multicity randomized trial at crime hotspots. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2118780119

This brief discusses how body-worn cameras (BWCs) have mixed and limited effects on police and community member behavior. BWCs may reduce complaints and provide evidentiary benefits, but their effectiveness relies on policy, training, and organizational culture.

Adapted from Lum, C., et al. (2020). Body-worn cameras’ effects on police officers and citizen behavior: A systematic review. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 16(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1112, and Lum, C., et al. (2019). Research on body-worn cameras. Criminology & Public Policy, 18(1), 93–118. https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9133.12412.

This brief discusses how breaking crime data down by both location and time of day can make predictions more accurate and help police direct resources when and where they're most effective.

Adapted from Puur, M., et al. (2025). Spatial and temporal patterns of risk: A risk terrain modeling approach in Stockholm, Sweden. European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10610-025-09625-0.

The IACP is pleased to share a new resource, Shared Principles of Agreement — Public Safety Leadership Convening, developed to support constructive dialogue and strengthen intergovernmental public safety cooperation.

In response to ongoing challenges, the IACP helped convene senior leaders from federal, state, and local law enforcement; national law enforcement labor organizations; prosecutors’ offices; and state and local government for a facilitated, solutions-focused discussion. The convening was designed to identify areas of shared understanding and practical approaches that enhance officer safety, promote constitutional policing, and sustain community trust. Findings were consolidated into this report, designed to guide collaborative discussions and decision-making.

• Despite diverse roles and perspectives, 16 organizations identified strong alignment around the following shared principles:
• Recognizing the public safety benefit, value, and legitimacy of properly coordinated federal immigration enforcement operations
• Refocusing operational relationships and expectations, where needed
• Preventing the risk of inadvertent and potentially dangerous conflict between law enforcement officials from differing agencies and enhancing community safety through clear incident leadership and interoperable communications
• Prioritizing the apprehension of violent and other serious offenders and national security threats while minimizing collateral impacts
• Treating community trust and human rights as operational requirements
• Committing to cross‑training, supervision, and transparent processes for investigating allegations of misconduct and/or law enforcement–involved critical incidents
• Communicating consistently to reduce polarization and confusion

Promoting responsible, fact‑based communication grounded in accurate, verified information to support officer and public safety, strengthen credibility, counter misinformation, and build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve

The shared principles of agreement are intended to serve as a constructive foundation for continued dialogue and collaboration among public safety partners nationwide. The IACP offers this resource to support members as they navigate complex operational environments and intergovernmental relationships.

We encourage you to review and share this document within your agencies and professional networks.