The Policy Center documents on Use of Force have been replaced by the Consensus Model Policy and Concepts & Issues Paper on Use of Force. Please see related content below.

* Indicates this topic is available free to the public

Technological advances have allowed public safety agencies to consider the acquisition of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) to support their operations. The rapid integration of these systems into law enforcement operations has created a demand for guidance on how to develop and operate a law enforcement sUAS program. These documents provide sample procedures for agencies to utilize when developing their own sUAS programs.

Persons having contact with members of a law enforcement agency should be treated in a fair, impartial, equitable, and objective manner, in accordance with law, and without consideration of their individual demographics.

These documents emphasize an agency’s commitment to unbiased, equitable treatment of all persons.

All prisoners should be treated in a humane manner and with due regard for their physical safety and protection consistent with sound principles of prisoner security. Officers should take the precautions necessary while transporting prisoners to protect the lives and safety of officers, the public, and the person in custody.

These documents provide guidelines for safely and securely transporting prisoners.

This topic has been archived - it is intended for reference purposes only and will not be updated. 

Law enforcement agencies should maximize officer safety through the use of body armor in combination with prescribed safety procedures. However, while body armor provides a significant level of protection, it is not a substitute for the observance of officer safety procedures.

These documents specify agency, leadership, and officer responsibilities related to body armor.

Temporary light-duty assignments, when available, should be for officers and other eligible personnel in an agency who, because of injury, illness or disability, are temporarily unable to perform their regular assignments but who are capable of performing alternative duty assignments. Use of temporary light duty can provide employees with an opportunity to remain productive while convalescing as well as provide a work option for employees who may otherwise risk their health and safety or the safety of others by remaining on duty when physically or mentally unfit for their regular assignment. Therefore, eligible personnel should be given a reasonable opportunity to work in temporary light-duty assignments where available and consistent with policy.

These documents establish the authority for temporary light-duty assignments and procedures for granting temporary light duty to eligible officers and civilian personnel within an agency.

Body-worn cameras provide officers with a reliable and compact tool to systematically and automatically record their field observations and encounters. They can be used for documentation purposes, to include interactions with victims, witnesses, and others during police-public encounters; arrests; and critical incidents. These documents provide items for agencies to consider when developing their own body-worn cameras programs.

The threat of attacks on individuals involving Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), especially chemical or biological agents, continues to be of significant concern. Law enforcement should respond to all reports of suspicious letters or packages. The safety of all persons involved is the first priority in such incidences. It is the responsibility of the responding officer(s) to assess the situation and make a determination whether to evacuate the area and summon Hazardous Materials (HAZ MAT) personnel.

These documents establish guidelines for responding to and handling suspicious packages through a unified law enforcement and HAZ MAT service.

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

The use of explosives against targets poses a significant threat to the security of the public and is a major consideration for law enforcement agencies, who are often the first responders to a bomb threat. All law enforcement responses to bomb threats or emergencies should be conducted systematically, efficiently and in a manner that gives primary consideration to the protection of human life. These documents provide guidance for developing policies and procedures regarding bomb threats and response, to include pre-planning, threat assessment, response, deployment, searches, evacuations, and assistance by specialized units.

The Brady v. Maryland decision and subsequent rulings have made it a duty of all law enforcement agencies to (1) identify and provide to the prosecution any exculpatory material that would have a reasonable probability of altering the results in a trial, or any material that could reasonably mitigate the sentencing of a defendant and (2) any material relevant to the credibility of government witnesses, including but not limited to police officers.

These documents provide information to guide law enforcement agencies in properly fulfilling the reporting and testimonial requirements mandated under U.S. Supreme Court decisions including Brady v. Maryland 373 U.S. 83 (1963) and Giglio v. U.S. 405 U.S. 150 (1972).

Officers should take measures to prepare for encounters with canines, mitigate potentially confrontational situations, and minimize the need for and use of deadly force, whenever reasonably possible.

These documents provide guidance on the proper handling of canines during law enforcement encounters to prevent, mitigate, and reduce the need for the use of deadly force.

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

Patrol canines can be utilized as a valuable supplement to police resources, due to their superior senses of smell and hearing and their physical capabilities. However, utilization of canines requires adherence to procedures that properly control their use-of-force potential and channel their specialized capabilities into legally acceptable crime prevention and control activities.

These documents provide guidelines for the management and tactical deployment of patrol canines.