Resources

Resources

IACP's resources are aimed at helping law enforcement executives do their jobs better and cover a variety of topics, including professional development, leadership, management, and supervision, as well as hot topics such as ethics.

Resources

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National Policy Summit - Offender Re-Entry: Exploring the Leadership Opportunity for Law Enforcement Executives and Their Agencies

/sites/default/files/2018-08/ReentrySummitReport%5B1%5D.pdf

In 2006, the IACP, in collaboration with the COPS Office, brought together over 100 law enforcement, correctional, and community leaders for a two day summit to address the issue of offender re-entry and in particular, the role of local law enforcement in re-entry programs. The results of that summit are contained in the final summit report: Offender Re-Entry: Exploring the Leadership Opportunity for Law Enforcement Executives and their Agencies. The report provides 50 detailed recommendations to help police leaders determine how they can drive down. 

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VIPS Focus Series

Community-Police Engagement
Crime & Violence
Human & Civil Rights
Document

The VIPS Focus Series highlights innovative volunteer programs covering a wide range of volunteer management issues and subject areas.

Please contact our team for more information, [email protected] 

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VIPS Podcasts

Audio

Assessing and Evaluating Your Law Enforcement Volunteer Program 11/26/2013
In today’s resource constrained environment, it becomes increasingly important for law enforcement agencies to measure the impact of their programs. Assessing the costs and benefits of your volunteer program can help you and other decision makers determine budget and resource distribution decisions.  In this edition of the VIPS Podcast Series, we will look at volunteer program evaluation and assessment strategies that can help you strengthen your program using data-driven solutions and showcase the success of your program for your agency and community leaders.
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Tips for Managing Law Enforcement Interns 08/12/2013
Law enforcement internships can be a mutually beneficial way for agencies to expand their services and for students to acquire valuable work experience. In this edition of the VIPS Podcast Series, we share some tips on how to maximize your time with student interns.
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Volunteers Help Keep Roadways Safe 06/20/2013
Traffic responsibilities are among law enforcement’s most important and visible duties, yet officers simply cannot be on all roads at all times. In this edition of the VIPS Podcast Series, we will look at how volunteers help law enforcement officers expand their presence on the roadways and keep them safe. 
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Recognition Through National, State, and Local Award Programs 03/21/2013
Formally and informally thanking your volunteers for their time and specific accomplishments is essential to retaining a strong, committed group of volunteers. In this edition of the VIPS Podcast Series, we will discuss some of the national, state, and local award programs available to formally recognize your volunteers.
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Volunteers Help Find the Missing 02/14/2013
This edition of the VIPS Podcast series discusses the use of volunteers in missing person cases and our partnership with the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs). Listen to hear more about NamUs resources, volunteer roles, and training opportunities. 
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International Volunteers Share a Universal Commitment to Safety 12/13/2012
As the field of law enforcement volunteer management continues to grow and develop, we have much to learn and to share with our international partners. We will explore this topic in an upcoming issue of VIPS in Focus. This audio podcast offers a preview of that publication with a look into the police volunteer programs of London, England.
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Citizen Police Academies: Force Multipliers for Crime Prevention 10/01/2012
From a new VIPS volunteer to neighbor to neighbor sharing of crime prevention tips to an informed resident who knows who to call and what to report when he sees suspicious activity, Citizen Police Academies can be powerful force multipliers for your agency’s community engagement and crime prevention efforts. Listen this edition of the VIPS podcast for CPA tips.
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Volunteers Support Summer Youth Safety Efforts 07/02/2012
With the summer months upon us and children and teens out of school, this edition of the VIPS Podcast series will look at how many law enforcement agencies and their volunteers are using the season to spread the message of safety.
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Law Enforcement Volunteers Support Children and Families 04/02/2012
In recognition of April as National Child Abuse Awareness Month, this month’s podcast looks at how volunteers support law enforcement’s effort to protect some of our nation’s most vulnerable youth. 
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Skilled Volunteers Offer Unique Talents to Law Enforcement 03/01/2012
When people think of volunteers in law enforcement, they often think of activities like filing papers and answering phones, and, while these tasks can be a big help in a busy agency, there are many higher level functions to which volunteers can contribute. This month’s podcast will look at engaging skilled and professional volunteers to bring new talents and knowledge to law enforcement agencies. 
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Volunteers Prevent Crime and Spread Holiday Cheer 12/01/2011
The holidays are an exciting and busy time for shoppers and retailers, but they can also be a busy time for criminals. Law enforcement volunteers play important roles in preventing crime and keeping the holidays festive. Listen to this podcast to hear examples from the Henrico County, Virginia, Division of Police and Lakewood, Colorado, Police Department.
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National Preparedness Month: Are Your Volunteers Ready? 09/01/2011
National Preparedness Month is a great time to remind your volunteers, coworkers, and communities of the importance of preparing an emergency kit , making a communication plan, and staying informed about potential disasters. Listen to this month’s podcast for tips and resources.
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Law Enforcement, Schools, and VIPS Partner to Keep Students Safe 08/01/2011
These days, budgets are tight for both schools and law enforcement agencies, so many are teaming up to share resources and develop volunteer programs to enhance school safety. Listen to the latest podcast for program ideas and resources.
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Volunteers Assist in Keeping Waterways Safe 07/01/2011
With summer upon us, lakes, pools, and beaches are filling up with those ready to relax, have fun, and beat the heat. Yet with this increased activity out on the water, comes a greater risk for accidents and crime to occur. Find out how the Clearwater, Florida, Police Department and Winona County, Minnesota, Sheriff’s Office use volunteers to maintain safety in and around waterways.
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How to Keep Good Volunteers: Volunteer Manager Perspectives on Retention 05/01/2011
Keeping experienced volunteers is a priority for agencies. In this podcast, volunteer managers share their secrets, ideas, and philosophies on volunteer retention.
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Addressing Liability Through Orientation 03/01/2011
A quality orientation sets the standard for a volunteer’s experience with your agency and plays an important part in your liability plans. Listen to this month’s podcast for tips on planning your orientation.
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New Years, New Volunteers 01/10/2011
With the New Year upon us, it’s a great time to start thinking about bringing new volunteers into your program. Learn more about how to plan for and recruit new volunteers.
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Podcast transcripts are available by request. To receive a transcript, email our team, [email protected].  

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Police Chiefs Desk Reference: A Guide for Newly Appointed Police Leaders

Community-Police Engagement
Evidence-Based/Data-Driven Policing
Officer Performance
Crime & Violence
Criminal Justice Reform
Education & Training
Ethics
Recruitment & Personnel
Document

Coming Summer 2026! 

 

This newly updated resource contains a compilation of information and advice from police leaders from across the globe who shared their knowledge and experience. As the leader of a policing agency, you hold the privilege of being able to protect and improve the community your agency serves, but being a police chief also comes with a lot of responsibility. 

Topics include:

  • Leadership
  • Policing Philosophy
  • Staffing and Personnel Management
  • Operations
  • Community Engagement
  • Emerging Issues
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Emerging Trends and Issues in Smaller Law Enforcement Agencies Focus Group Report

Document
/sites/default/files/all/s/SmallerAgencyFocusGroupReport.pdf

The landscape of policing in America is changing rapidly. It is impacted by recent high profile events covered by the media, changing expectations from the community, and an increasing reliance on new technologies. While the missions of all 18,000 law enforcement agencies across America remain similar, the methods of operation, practices, and access to resources and training vary greatly.

Outside of the attention given to high profile agencies in major cities, there’s a different picture across the rest of the country. Smaller agencies in communities of 50,000 or less represent the majority of law enforcement agencies.

The goal of this document is to report on current trends, emerging issues, and concerns of smaller law enforcement agencies, so that we can identify and address current and future needs. In order for major support initiatives to move forward, innovative outside the box thinking is needed to face future complex issues that smaller agencies will encounter.

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External Resources - Communication & Transparency

Open Data

Make all department policies available for public review 


Collect, analyze, and post to web information about stops, summonses, arrests, reported crime, and other law enforcement data aggregated by demographics


Collect, track, and analyze data on use of force incidents


Maintain and open data on department personnel demographics


Collect, maintain and analyze demographic data on all detentions (stops, frisks, searches, summons and arrests)

Procedural Justice & Police-Community Contacts

Officers should be required to seek consent before a search and explain that a person has the right to refuse.


Officers should identify themselves by their full name, rank, and command (as applicable) and provide that information in writing to individuals they have stopped.


Underscore the importance of language used and adopt policies directing officers to speak to individuals with respect.


Adopt procedural justice as the agency's guiding principle, internally and externally.

Social Media

Adopt model policies and best practices for technology-based community engagement that increases community trust and access.


Publicize the beneficial outcomes and images of positive, trust-building partnerships and initiatives, particularly via social media.


Use the internet and social media, with responsive and current content, as a means of community interaction and relationship building.


Consider the internet and social media as a means to encourage community input and collaboration.

Critical Incidents

Communicate with the public during serious incidents swiftly and neutrally.


Policies on use of force should clearly state what types of information will be released, when, and in what situation.

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External Resources - Community Engagement

In Police Planning & Problem Solving

Involve the community in the process of developing and evaluating policies, procedures, and strategies.


Establish a serious incident review board comprising sworn staff and community members.


Consider local needs when implementing technology and encourage public participation in the process.


Establish formal community/citizen advisory committees.


Law enforcement agencies should engage community members in the training process.


Consider the internet and social media as a means to encourage community input and collaboration.

 

Non Traditional Partners

Collaborate with public health, education, mental health, and other non traditional partners.


Partner with universities and others to collect data and analyze data.


Adopt community policing strategies that support and work in concert with economic development efforts.

 


Partner with academic institutions to integrate research into training, policies and practices.


Engage advocacy groups in the development of cultural diversity training.


Build relationships with immigrant communities.

Community Police Interaction

Initiate positive non-enforcement activities.


Consider the implications of crime fighting strategies for maintaining community trust.


Refrain from quotas related to officer enforcement actions, particularly those not related to public safety, such as generating revenue.


Adopt preferences for “least harm” resolutions for minor infractions (such as diversion programs or warnings and citations in lieu of arrest).


Allow sufficient time for patrol officers to participate in problem solving and community engagement activities and value these activities in performance. Evaluations


Schedule regular forums and meetings where all community members can interact with police and help influence programs and policy.


Decouple  immigration enforcement from routine local policing.

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External Resources - Youth & Police

Youth Offenders & Discipline


Reduce aggressive law enforcement tactics with youth.


Reform policies and procedures that push children into the juvenile justice system.


Work with schools to create alternatives to student suspensions and expulsion through restorative justice, diversion, counseling, and family interventions.


Work with schools to adopt instructional approach to discipline that helps students develop positive behavior and problem-solving skills.


Develop school discipline policies with input from schools and the community that prohibit use of corporal punishment and electronic control devices.


Work with schools to create continuum of appropriate and proportional consequences.


Work with communities to play a role in programs and procedures to reintegrate juvenile offenders.


Establish memoranda of agreement for and limit involvement of SROs in student discipline.


Develop community, school, and evidence-based programs that mitigate punitive solutions.

Youth Engagement & Interaction

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External Resources - Diverse & Vulnerable Populations

Policy & Training

Review and/or adopt policies toward vulnerable populations, including limiting use of physical control to a last resort.


Adopt identification procedures that eliminate or minimize presenter bias or influence.


Establish search and seizure procedures related to lgbtq and transgender populations.


Adopt and enforce policies prohibiting profiling and discrimination.


Implement ongoing training on cultural diversity, with the assistance of related advocacy groups.


Implement policies and training on cultural diversity/sensitivity, including interactions with the lgbtq population, the muslim, arab and south asian communities and immigrant or non-english speaking groups.

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Internal Resources - Police Leadership & Culture

Culture

Adopt procedural justice as the guiding principle for internal and external policies and practices.


Community policing should be infused throughout the culture and organizational structure of law enforcement agencies.


Support a culture and practice of policing that reflects the values of protection and promotion of the dignity of all.


Law enforcement agencies should promote safety and wellness at every level of the organization.


Consider the implications of crime fighting strategies for maintaining community trust.


Encourage higher education for officers.


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Internal Resources - Policy

Use of Force

Adopt clear and comprehensive policies on the use of force that include training, investigations, prosecutions, data collection, and information sharing, and share these with the public.


Emphasize de-escalation and alternatives to arrest.


Mandate external and independent criminal investigations in cases of police use of force resulting in death.


Mandate external and independent prosecutors in police use of force cases.


Policies on use of force should clearly state what types of information will be released, when, and in what situation.


Adopt a use of force model that incorporates use of less lethal weapons.

Community Involvement

Involve the community in the process of developing and evaluating policies and procedures.


Develop policies that reinforce importance of community engagement in managing public safety.


Engage communities when developing policies for use of new technology.


Vulnerable Populations

Review and/or adopt policies toward vulnerable populations, including limiting use of physical control to a last resort.


Implement policies and training on cultural diversity/sensitivity, including interactions with the LGBTQ population, the Muslim, Arab and south Asian communities and immigrant or non-English speaking groups.


Establish search and seizure procedures related to LGBTQ and transgender populations.


Other Key Policy Considerations

Make all department policies publicly available.


Police-community contacts (procedural justice) - underscore the importance of language used and adopt policies directing officers to speak to individuals with respect.


Require officers to wear seatbelts and bullet-proof vests, and provide related training.


Develop policies and procedures on social media that define acceptable use by staff in both official and unofficial capacities.


Adopt and enforce policies prohibiting profiling and discrimination.


Develop school discipline policies with input from schools community that prohibit use of corporal punishment and electronic control devices.


Reinforce policies for the prevention of sexual misconduct and harassment.

 


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Internal Resources - Administrative

Employee Engagement

Involve employees in the process of developing policies and procedures.


Establish a serious incident review board comprising sworn staff and community members.


Implement non-punitive peer review of critical incidents.


Implement multi-rank assessment process of new technology (agency and community input).

Internal Processes

Incorporate procedural justice into the internal discipline process.


Institute residency incentive programs.


Explore more flexible staffing models.


Adopt identification procedures that eliminate or minimize presenter bias or influence.


Document, prevent, and address sexual harassment and misconduct by local law enforcement agents consistent with the recommendations of the IACP.


Implement scientifically supported officer shift lengths.


Reinforce policies for the prevention of sexual misconduct and harassment.


Strive for workforce diversity.


Allow sufficient time for patrol officers to participate in problem solving and community engagement activities and value these activities in performance evaluations.

Technology

Deploy smart technology to prevent the manipulation of evidence.


Consider local needs when implementing technology and encourage public participation in the process.


Adopt model policies and best practices for technology-based community engagement that increases community trust and access.


Develop policies and procedures on social media that define acceptable use by staff in both official and unofficial capacities.


Law enforcement agencies should review and consider the bureau of justice assistance’s (bja) body worn camera toolkit to assist in implementing body-worn cameras (bwcs).


Use less lethal weapons as part of the use of force model and provide annual retraining on their use.

Officer Safety & Wellness

Law enforcement agencies should promote safety and wellness at every level of the organization.


Implement scientifically supported officer shift lengths.


Provide each officer with tactical first aid kits and anti-ballistic vests and related training.


Require officers to wear seatbelts and bullet-proof vests, and provide related training.


Offer mental health checks for officers, and ready access to information on fitness, resilience, and nutrition.


Ongoing training related to officer wellness and safety, including discussion of fatigue, stress, post-traumatic stress, and healt

Data Collection

Measure and track community trust through annual surveys.


Collect, analyze, and post to web information about stops, summonses, arrests, reported crime, and other law enforcement data aggregated by demographics.


Collect, track, and analyze data on use of force incidents.


Open data on department personnel demographics.


Collect, maintain and analyze demographic data on all detentions (stops, frisks, searches, summons and arrests.


Collect data on officer deaths, injuries, and "near misses."


Track outcomes associated with body worn cameras (e.g., complaints and use of force incidents).

 

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