Use of Soft Body Armor by Law Enforcement Personnel

Submitted by: Division of State Associations of Chiefs of Police (SACOP)

SCP.019.a08

WHEREAS, soft body armor is available to law enforcement personnel to protect against life threatening or potentially disabling injuries; and

WHEREAS, currently, six American police officers are feloniously shot every twenty-four hours, and statistics have shown that since 1987, more than 3,000 law enforcement officers have survived life threatening injuries because they were protected by their body armor; and

WHEREAS, studies of incidents of law enforcement officers fatally shot indicate that 42% of those officer deaths were preventable if they had been wearing body armor; and

WHEREAS, according to Federal Bureau of Investigation statistics, the risk of sustaining a fatal injury for officers who do not wear body armor is fourteen times greater than for officers that do; and

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognizes the responsibilities of law enforcement executives to do all that is possible to protect on-duty field and investigative personnel, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police duly assembled at its 115th Annual Conference in San Diego, California recommends that all police executives communicate the importance of wearing body armor and that all law enforcement agencies take the following steps:

            - Obtain proper fitting body armor for all law enforcement officers of their agency.

            - Establish an ongoing program to educate all their agency personnel about their    obligation to protect themselves, as well as the "life and death" advantages of the routine wear of body armor.

             - Adopt a mandatory wear policy for all uniformed personnel.

             - Conduct periodic and regular inspections of issued soft body armor to ensure proper fit and useable condition, replacing defective armor as needed or recommended by the manufacturer; and therefore be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP calls upon public and private entities to ensure that state, local and tribal law enforcement has the resources necessary to purchase this vital equipment.

Adopted at the 119th Annual Conference

San Diego, CA
October 3, 2012

Prohibition of Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) on College and University Campuses
Submitted by: University/College Police Section
UPS.002.a12

WHEREAS, the 2012 study, "The Argument Against Arming College Students," states that in 2009, there were 17 homicides on US college campuses, representing .0001 percent of the entire student population and the percentage of homicides for the general population for that year was .005, meaning citizens were 50 times more likely to be murdered off a college campus than on one; and

WHEREAS, current credible data from the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics reveals that college students, while on campus, are safer than the general population in the surrounding community, and when they are victims of violent crime, firearms play a statistically insignificant role; and

WHEREAS, there is no credible evidence to suggest that armed students, faculty, staff and community users would make our campuses safer; and

WHEREAS, armed students, staff, faculty and community users would further complicate the jobs of college and university safety and security professionals; and

WHEREAS, armed students, staff, faculty and community users would create an environment inconsistent with education; and

WHEREAS, college students too often engage in extreme risk taking behavior such as binge drinking; and

WHEREAS, college students have significantly higher rates of suicide than the general population; and

WHEREAS, allowing concealed carry firearms upon our campuses would have no positive effect on campus safety and would, inversely, decrease the safety and security of our campuses, students, staff and community users; and

WHEREAS, there are a number of studies that compare the evidence both for and against concealed carry laws that conclude that they do not save lives; and

WHEREAS, research conducted at several colleges and universities reveals that students did not support allowing the concealed carry of firearms (CCW) on their campus, particularly by their fellow students; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police duly assembled at its 119th Annual Conference in San Diego, California promotes the prohibition of concealed carry weapons upon this nation's college and university campuses.

Adopted at the 119th Annual Conference
San Diego, CA
October 3, 2012

Support of Law Enforcement Officers to Receive Tactical Firearms Training During the Police Academy
Submitted by: Patrol and Tactical Operations Committee and Firearms Committee
PTO.006.a12

WHEREAS, law enforcement officers training of firearms has been an area that is continually changing to meet the demands and concerns for safety of the individual officer and the citizens they are empowered to protect; and

WHEREAS, a concern that the traditional and conventional firearms training received by new recruits while attending the "Basic Police Academy Firearms Training" is not adequate to prepare the officer for the potential conflicts that may be met on the street; and

WHEREAS, peers within the law enforcement community have come to realize the inefficiencies of the training they received as a new recruit and wish for more advanced training above and beyond that of which is required as a minimum standard in their individual states; and

WHEREAS, the enhanced training of an "Active Shooter" confrontation is significantly enhanced compared to that of the basic firearms instruction and similar to the needs that should be instructed in the basic firearms course as a qualifying curriculum; and

WHEREAS, advanced firearms training for all new recruits in the areas of comprehensive combat firearms training should include but not limited to: night fire, moving from cover to cover, shooting on the move, and combat re-loading; and

WHEREAS, law enforcement peers firmly believe advanced firearms training for new recruits while in the police academy can only stand to benefit the safety of the officer as an individual and the officers that are working next to them; and

WHEREAS, such training can only stand to enhance the officer's performance when encountering the more enhanced training of our criminals and terrorists in today's society; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) duly assembled at its 119th Annual Conference in San Diego, California calls upon each state within the United States of America and the heads of all Law Enforcement agencies to actively pursue enhanced tactical firearms training for all new recruits while attending the basic police training course.

Adopted at the 119th Annual Conference

San Diego, CA
October 3, 2012

Social Security Administration Issuance of Fictitious Social Security Numbers
Submitted by: Police Investigative Operations Committee and Organized Crime Committee
PIO.004.a12

WHEREAS, state, Local and Tribal Law Enforcement Agencies are called on to originate or participate in long-term criminal investigations that require the use of officers working undercover; and

WHEREAS, the biggest safety concern in managing undercover investigations is the safety of the undercover officer and the necessity of avoiding his/her being identified as a law enforcement officer by the investigative target; and

WHEREAS, avoiding this situation and ensuring officer safety requires the establishment of fictitious identities for the undercover officers. Fictitious Social Security as well as driver's licenses, business licenses, and/or bank accounts are key to securing these fictitious identities; and

WHEREAS, state, Local and Tribal Law Enforcement Agencies can no longer obtain these fictitious Social Security numbers through the Sensitive Operations Section; and

WHEREAS, the Social Security Administration has not been responsive to our outreach on this critical issue; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) duly assembled at its 119th Annual Conference request that the SSA re establish a system that enables all LE agencies to obtain the necessary protection fictitious identities assist in creating for our undercover officers so that effective investigations against serious criminal threats can proceed.

Adopted at the 119th Annual Conference

San Diego, CA
October 3, 2012

Support of RUN.HIDE.FIGHT Training on Response to Random Acts of Violence and Training of Employers, Employees and Citizens.
Submitted by: Patrol and Tactical Operations Committee
PTO.031.a12

WHEREAS, random and senseless acts of violence are on the rise in both the public and private sector.

WHEREAS, many violent perpetrators appear to target defenseless victims, employers, colleagues and innocent bystanders.

WHEREAS, employers, employees and citizens need to prepare for all possibilities; review vulnerabilities and prepare plans to address a random act of violence.

WHEREAS, such a plan or reaction must be clear and easily understood by all possible employers, employees and citizens.

WHEREAS, The City of Houston has taken a proactive approach to educating its employers, employees and citizens in efforts to reduce the loss of life.

WHEREAS, Run.Hide.Fight Surviving an Active Shooter Event-a Department of DHS grant funded project, produced by the City of Houston's Mayors Office Public Safety and Homeland Security addresses the training concepts needed to minimize casualties in an active shooting incident.

RESOLVED, The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) duly assembled at its 119th Annual Conference in San Diego, California calls upon each state within the United States of America and the heads of all Law Enforcement agencies to actively support the RUN.HIDE.FIGHT approach. The adoption of a plan to provide the best chance of survival for all personnel.

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police condemns prejudice and discrimination; and

WHEREAS, violent extremism as a threat is not constrained by any single ideology; and, religion, ethnicity, and cultural background do not explain why a small few choose to engage in violence based on their radical beliefs; and

WHEREAS, the best approach to Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) and defeating terrorism emphasizes the strength of local communities and the trusting relationships that law enforcement has with local communities, which represents the best defense against terrorist ideologies and violent extremists; and

WHEREAS, violent extremism may be mitigated through the provision of appropriate training and education of law enforcement and communities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police condemns bias and prejudice in all forms of CVE training and education; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police promotes a CVE training curriculum for law enforcement that is based upon values of equality and fairness to all cultures, nationalities, and religious beliefs; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police, duly assembled at its 119th Annual Conference in San Diego, California, affirm their belief that law enforcement should only employ the provision of CVE training and education programs based on respect for all cultures, nationalities, and religious beliefs.

Submitted by: Committee on Terrorism

TER.007.a12

Adopted at the 119th Annual Conference

San Diego, CA
October 3, 2012

Opposing the Arrest of Petitioners for Violations of Their Own Protection Orders
Submitted by: Victim Services Committee
VIC.020.a12

WHEREAS, a bill was introduced in the Georgia House of Representatives that would allow criminal penalties for petitioners of protection orders who violate their own orders, and similar court rulings currently exist in Iowa; and

WHEREAS, a protective order is a legal injunction that requires a party to do, or to refrain from doing, certain acts with the purpose of empowering victims of interpersonal violence and giving a means of safety, and each state in the United States has some form of domestic violence restraining order law, and many states also have specific restraining order laws for stalking, harassment, and sexual assault; and

WHEREAS, protective orders can help victims regain control by establishing boundaries, restrictions, and sanctions with the support and enforcement of the criminal justice system and in some jurisdictions may be one of the few safety options for victim, they may be the tool that a victim needs in order to begin separation from an abusive party; and

WHEREAS, victims suffer emotional, psychological, and/or physical abuse, endure threats, coercion, and/or manipulation by perpetrators of interpersonal violence, and may have conflicting emotions and established dependency (economic, psychological); and

WHEREAS, perpetrators are coercive and skilled at manipulating victims and the criminal justice system in order to gain power and control; and

WHEREAS, perpetrators will use the possibility of arrest against victims and/or as leverage and as another means of power and control; and

WHEREAS, a victim may feel pressured, or be manipulated by the perpetrator into letting him/her into the house, workplace, or meeting with him/her with the sole purpose of setting a victim up for arrest, and oftentimes it is safer for a victim to comply with the demands of a perpetrator rather than suffer the consequences if they do not comply; and

WHEREAS, policies that support the arrest of victims for violations of their own protection orders, a tool that was established to keep an abusive party away from a victim, serve to embolden the perpetrator and give him/her more power, this time with police action and the criminal justice system to support their words and threats; and

WHEREAS, policies that support the arrest of victims for violations of their own protection orders take a procedure that is meant to protect victims and uses it to punish them damaging victim trust in the criminal justice system and create hesitation on the part of the victim to seek law enforcement protection because of the possibility of being arrested; and

WHEREAS, if the perpetrator refuses to comply with the terms of an order they shall face criminal or civil penalties and may have to pay damages or accept sanctions; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that because of the complicated nature of the crime of domestic violence and the complex situations responding officers are left to sort out, education and awareness regarding the harmful effects and ramifications of arresting victims for violations of protections orders is needed; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police assembled at its 119th Annual Conference in San Diego, California strongly believes that policies that support the arrest of and criminal consequences for victims for violations of their own protection orders are harmful and counterintuitive and should be avoided as they undermine the purpose of the system that was created to protect victims and hold perpetrators of crime accountable.

Adopted at the 119th Annual Conference

San Diego, CA
October 3, 2012

Support for the Law Enforcement National Data Exchange (N-DEx)
Submitted by: State and Provincial Police Directorate
SP.029.a12

WHEREAS, the National Data Exchange is a repository of criminal justice records, available in a secure online environment, and managed by the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division; and

WHEREAS, N-DEx is now fully functional and is recognized as an ideal system for sharing information across disparate jurisdictional, geographic, and regional areas; and

WHEREAS, regional sharing systems are very good and states are heavily invested in them and the membership of the IACP State and Provincial Division support regional sharing systems and N-DEx; and

WHEREAS, they believe that a national data sharing system is essential and support N-DEx as that system, however the Federal government should fund the integration and connection of the regional systems to N-DEx; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), duly assembled at its 119th Annual Conference in San Diego, California, affirm their support of the National Data Exchange as the nationally scaled system of information sharing.

Adopted at the 120^th Annual Conference

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 23, 2013

Tactical Emergency Medical Training for Law Enforcement Personnel

Submitted by: Police Physicians Section

Co-Sponsors: Patrol and Tactical Operations Committee and SACOP SafeShield Committee

PPS.001.t13

WHEREAS, law enforcement is typically the initial first responder to emergency medical situations, whether accidental or criminal in nature; and

WHEREAS, tactical, high risk police situations introduce unique challenges to law enforcement to provide emergency medical care, as EMS personnel will frequently not be on scene for prolonged periods of time while threat assessment/mitigation takes place (e.g. active shooter, bombing, terrorist events); and

WHEREAS, in such situations the law enforcement officer may be the only resource for emergency medical care for injured law enforcement personnel, or for the victims of a mass casualty incident, until the injured can be safely transferred to EMS; and

WHEREAS, annual statistics of line-of-duty felonious life threatening injuries and deaths demonstrate the necessity for the law enforcement officer to be capable to provide self-aid or buddy-aid for colleagues; and

WHEREAS, based on clinical experience from the military in tactical combat casualty care, with consensus of medical and surgical experts in tactical medicine, that early and rapid intervention including hemorrhage control at the point of wounding is lifesaving and improves the chance for survival; and

WHEREAS, IACP recently published three Training Keys on emergency trauma care; and

WHEREAS, the IACP Center for Officer Safety and Wellness' mission is to instill a culture of safety and wellness in international policing and first responder training for law enforcement personnel is a preventative measure in concert with this mission, now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police duly assembled at its 120th Annual Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania recommends that every law enforcement officer should receive tactical emergency medical training including critical core skills of early, life-threatening hemorrhage control and rapid evacuation of mass casualty victims to a casualty collection point. Tactical emergency medical skills are critical life-saving interventions in the officer-down situation, whether as officer applied self-aid or aid given to a fellow officer, or to victims of a mass casualty situation such as an active shooter or bombing event. Specific elements of training are the purview of each agency depending on availability of resources and training programs.

Adopted at the 120^th Annual Conference

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 23, 2013

Support for Mental Health Courts

Submitted by: Private Sector Liaison Committee

PSLC.002.t13

WHEREAS, the National Institute of Corrections estimates as many as two million men and women with mental health disorders are involved with the United States criminal justice system; and

WHEREAS, the high incarceration rates of mentally ill offenders have financial implications for U.S. citizens; and

WHEREAS, mental health disorders are often associated with substance abuse and crime; and

WHEREAS, research shows that more than half of all prison and jail inmates were found to have mental health disorders; and

WHEREAS, research also shows that offenders with mental health disorders tend to serve longer prison sentences and are at higher risk of recidivating; and

WHEREAS, key stakeholders, practitioners, and policymakers around the nation have collaborated to support Mental Health Court initiatives; and

WHEREAS, a mental health court is a special docket in criminal court designed to divert mentally ill offenders out of the criminal justice system and into mental health treatment while at the same time ensuring public safety ; and

WHEREAS, the primary goal of Mental Health Courts across the nation is to reduce recidivism and substance abuse among offenders by successfully treating the offender's mental illness and substance abuse issues; and

WHEREAS, research shows that Mental Health Courts successfully reduce recidivism and violence by individuals with mental disorders who are involved in the criminal justice system; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that by this Resolution, the International Association of Chiefs of Police supports the national efforts of establishing Mental Health Courts to reduce recidivism, to provide treatment for mentally ill offenders, and to reduce jail costs, while ensuring public safety.

Adopted at the 120^th Annual Conference

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 23, 2013

Support for Alarm Licensing

Submitted by: Private Sector Liaison Committee

PSLC.003.t13

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) supports efforts of the life safety alarm and electronic security industries, represented by the Electronic Security Association (ESA) and its state chapters across the country, to secure passage of state licensing and regulation statutes that endeavor to protect the safety of consumers; and,

WHEREAS, the IACP understands that the ESA supports such licensing laws, which are still needed in roughly half the states; and,

WHEREAS, the IACP believes state licensing of alarm and monitoring companies increases public safety, protects the consumer and facilitates a consistent, high level of professionalism in the electronic security industry; and,

WHEREAS, licensing requirements can include certification and training, continuing education, compliance with background checks at the federal and state levels and offer greater protection for residential and commercial establishments; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the IACP duly assembled at its 120th Annual Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania encourages the adoption of strong consumer protection laws that deter dangerous and deceptive sales practices regarding alarm systems; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the IACP supports licensing requirements and other regulations governing those in the electronic security industry that are commensurate with the responsibilities the individual performs, and recommends that individuals with the ability to install, move, repair, replace, service, disarm, or reconfigure an alarm system or any individual component connected to an alarm system, at an end-user's premises, should be properly licensed; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that those selling systems or services, and those responsible for monitoring security systems should be appropriately screened and background-checked; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the IACP lends its endorsement to the alarm industry and its efforts to pass such legislation, recognizing state licensing and regulation will help protect the security and general well-being of the public.

Adopted at the 120^th Annual Conference

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 23, 2013

National "Move Over, Slow Down" Law Awareness Month

Submitted by: Highway Safety Committee

HSC.004.t13

WHEREAS, according to the FBI's Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 17 percent of the 1,715 law enforcement officers in the United States are accidentally killed between 1987 and 2011 were victims of struck-by-vehicle incidents, i.e., at the time of their deaths, they were conducting traffic stops or roadblocks, were directing traffic or assisting motorists, or were engaged in similar activities; and

WHEREAS, in an effort to safeguard first responders and other highway workers whose duties require them to utilize the roadside, all 50 states have enacted "move over, slow down" statutes typically requiring motorists to slow down and/or move over a lane as they approach law enforcement or other authorized vehicles stopped on the shoulders of multilane highways; and

WHEREAS, the provisions of these well-intended statutes vary widely in terms of the legislated mandates for compliance; and

WHEREAS, the effectiveness of these "move over, slow down" statutes is compromised by motorists' being unaware of the existence of these statutes and/or by motorists' inability to comply with inconsistent requirements; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) calls upon the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances (NCUTLO) to identify these state laws and their provisions and to develop and promote—in conjunction with the IACP Highway Safety Committee—those requirements deemed essential to model legislation that will ensure the safety of law enforcement officers and other highway workers whose duties require them to utilize the roadside and that ultimately will improve the effectiveness of these statutes, as well as in the ability of motorists to be aware of—and comply with—them; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the IACP strongly supports and encourages its membership to recognize the month of April each year as "National 'Move Over, Slow Down' Law Awareness Month"; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the IACP supports international efforts to ensure the roadside safety of law enforcement officers in countries around the world.