This is a stand-alone document, unaccompanied by a model policy, designed to explore the primary issues surrounding special weapons and tactics (SWAT) teams. Following extensive research, the National Law Enforcement Policy Center concluded that a discussion of the issues surrounding this important topic would be more beneficial than development of a model policy, given opposing professional views on basic considerations surrounding this topic. This document isolates and examines the predominant issue areas with the intention of providing law enforcement executives with essential information to make informed decisions—whether that is to implement a policy or to reject or defer decision making on this matter.

Inspections of law enforcement agencies should be conducted on a regular basis to help ensure that the department is operating at peak efficiency and in compliance with established professional standards. When conducted properly, inspections enable managers to assess the department’s ability to perform its mission, and provide them with the information necessary to plan for the improvement of the department’s operations. Inspections are a vital component of departmental self-assessment and as such should be carried out with care, attention to detail, and with the full cooperation of all personnel concerned.

These documents establish procedures for conducting inspections of the department’s administrative functions, facilities, property, equipment, operations, and personnel.

This topic has been archived - it is intended for reference purposes only and will not be updated.

Social media has many potential uses for law enforcement agencies. The characteristics of collaboration and interactive communication that are at the core of social media align well with the goals of law enforcement. Social media provides a potentially valuable means of assisting law enforcement agencies in meeting community outreach, problem-solving, investigative, and crime prevention objectives. In addition, social media can be used to enhance communication, collaboration, and information exchange; streamline processes; and foster productivity. These documents provide procedures for effective agency use of social media and appropriate regulation of employee use of social media.

Law enforcement personnel should be trained to recognize persons with I/DD; treat people with I/DD with dignity and respect; utilize de-escalation protocols when appropriate; and seek alternatives to physical custody whenever possible.

These documents provide law enforcement officers with guidelines for appropriately accommodating, interacting, and communicating with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

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

Law enforcement employees should take a professional, victim-centered approach to sexual assaults and to proactively investigate these crimes and prosecute the perpetrator in a manner that helps restore the victim’s dignity and sense of control, while decreasing the victim’s anxiety and increasing the understanding of the criminal justice system and process. In addition, agencies must understand that a large number of sexual assault reports are delayed, a fact that will affect the response.

These documents provide employees with guidelines for responding to reports of sexual assault.

Law enforcement agencies should use all reasonable means to assist in the investigation of noncompliant sex offenders, to educate the public about personal safety precautions, and to train designated law enforcement personnel on registration, notification, verification, and community education procedures. Agencies should recognize that sex offenders can pose a significant risk to the community and that community fear may be fueled by confusing sex offender laws and lack of understanding of law enforcement efforts to hold sex offenders accountable. Agencies are guided by federal and state laws regarding the registration, public notification, and verification of convicted sex offenders to enforce compliance and to prevent future victimization. Agencies should also recognizes that law enforcement agencies are responsible for notifying communities about the presence of certain registered sex offenders, maintaining registration files, verifying compliance with registration laws, investigating violations of such laws and new offenses, and locating noncompliant or absconded offenders.

Police agencies should provide guidelines to employees to inform them of the types of secondary employment that are appropriate and to establish procedures to maintain accountability for the welfare of the agency. These requirements are essential for the efficient and effective operation of the agency and for the protection of officers, the agency, and the community.

Policing on school property requires an understanding of the limitations placed on law enforcement officers and the responsibility of school authorities for supervision of children under their care. Law enforcement agencies should conduct investigations and related police business on school property in conformance with accepted legal practices and in recognition of the authority and responsibility of school officials to manage the school environment.

These documents provide guidance for officers responding to calls for service and dealing with incidents on school property during school hours or during school-sanctioned events.

Law enforcement agencies should prohibit retaliatory conduct against or interference with an employee who reports, assists, or seeks to report breaches of department policy, procedures, or rules or engages in activities protected by whistleblower statutes.

These documents are designed to complement departmental integrity and avoid hostile treatment of fellow employees by requiring the mandatory reporting of serious infractions of departmental policy, procedure, or rules and by prohibiting retaliatory conduct or action against employees who make such reports.

Litigation against law enforcement officers can be extremely expensive and harmful to the reputation of the department and its employees. Therefore, law enforcement agencies should (1) take such proactive measures as are possible to avoid civil litigation through personnel training, supervision, and adherence to departmental policy and procedures among other means; (2) take such steps as are necessary following high-risk incidents to document the event and actions of agency employees; and (3) maintain a strong and coordinated response to civil litigation involving the agency and its employees.

These documents provide guidelines for (1) responding to law enforcement activities that represent a potential high risk of civil liability in a manner that will decrease this risk level, and (2) responding to civil litigation that involves the department or its employees.

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

It is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to ensure that their employees are able to perform their duties in a safe and effective manner. The safe performance of daily operations can be threatened by life-endangering communicable diseases. Therefore, agencies should provide employees with up-to-date training and information that will help minimize potential exposure while increasing employee understanding of the nature, risks, and routes of transmission of the diseases.

These documents provide guidelines for limiting or preventing exposure to pathogenic diseases during police operations.

The ability of a law enforcement agency to respond to emerging issues and long-range goals is dependent upon the ability to implement new policies, programs, strategies, and operational initiatives based on sound information, practices, and empirical evidence. The purpose of these documents is to provide guidance on the establishment of collaborative partnerships between an agency and researchers or research institutions that often extend beyond a single research project. Law enforcement personnel have an obligation to review and understand the essential aspects of proposed research and its potential impact on resources and operations. Agencies should establish collaborative partnerships with a research partner with the goal of enhancing law enforcement operations, services to the community, and answering operational questions through rigorous, scientific inquiry.

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