This document discusses the use of affiliated and spontaneous volunteers in missing person investigations, how to deal with the media, types of missing persons cases, technology available, partner organizations, and individual agency experiences with missing persons.

As a result of recent economic strife, agencies are experiencing an increased workload in a resource-constrained environment. While in the midst of budget cuts, many law enforcement agencies are being asked to take on additional responsibilities due to cuts and restructuring in other government agencies. More than ever, volunteerism in the law enforcement arena has become a need and not a luxury. The financial return on investment of a volunteer program can be substantial, amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of value added to the agency each year.

Commissioner Ramsey, Professor Robinson, and members of the Task Force on 21st Century Policing, thank you for inviting me to testify today at the first listening session. My name is Richard Beary and I am the Chief of Police at the University of Central Florida and the President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). I have over 37 years of law enforcement experience, and I am here today to testify on behalf of the IACP.

The IACP is the world's largest association of law enforcement executives, with more than 22,000 members in 98 different countries. For over 120 years, the IACP has been launching internationally acclaimed programs, speaking out on behalf of law enforcement, conducting ground-breaking research, and providing exemplary programs and services to the law enforcement profession across the globe.

Over the past three decades, many communities throughout the United States have witnessed a remarkable decline in the rate of crime. America in 2015 is a far safer place than America in 1985. In fact, the most recent Federal Bureau of Investigation Uniform Crime Report shows that incidence of violent crime in the United States fell to the lowest number since 1978. This is a testament to both the great work done by law enforcement and a shared commitment by community and political leaders to create and maintain safer communities.

Many communities in the United States are confronted by unacceptable levels of crime and violence on our streets. Typically, a disproportionate amount of this violence is the result of young males killing other young males. In the United States, homicide is the second leading cause of death for all young males 15–24 years old. According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, homicide is the leading cause of death among 10–24-year-old African Americans. This is simply unacceptable. It is imperative that law enforcement works with our partners in the criminal justice system to reduce the level of violence through an array of successful approaches. These range from early intervention, to aggressive enforcement and prosecution, to enhanced penalties for those that commit crimes with a firearm. This guide was developed as part of an IACP Presidential Initiative and designed for the purpose of providing an action agenda for law enforcement leadership, their agencies, and the communities they serve.

This guide demonstrates how positive police and youth engagement can increase public safety; reduce crime, victimization, and recidivism; and foster trust between young people and law enforcement. The guide includes background material on the issues surrounding police-youth interactions and examples of model programs for youth engagement.

The juvenile interview and interrogation landscape has undergone an unprecedented upheaval in the last decade as numerous studies have demonstrated that juveniles are particularly likely to give false information – and even falsely confess – when questioned by law enforcement. Based on this research, court decisions, all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court, are leading police to question juveniles differently than adults. The IACP, in partnership with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, have launched a series of training, tools, and resources for law enforcement on effective juvenile interview and interrogation.

Effective Youth Diversion Strategies for Law Enforcement 
On January 23rd, 2014, the IACP held a webinar intended to educate law enforcement and juvenile justice practitioners on youth diversion programs and strategies. It included a panel composed of a police chief, county prosecutor, and division director of juvenile services, who discussed development of their youth diversion programs, program successes, and challenges faced during implementation. A discussion of lessons learned was included to assist law enforcement agencies who are considering starting or improving a youth diversion program. View the archived webinar and handouts here

Sleep deprivation takes a toll on an officer’s wellbeing. This infographic discusses the effects on the body and other dangers associated with sleep deprivation and offers helpful suggestions for families of law enforcement. 

Fitness and wellness programs are an important part of reducing officer injuries on the job. This guide provides law enforcement agencies with tips and recommendations on how to start a fitness/wellness program within an agency.

This fact sheet provides information on how agencies can provide education and support to improve officer nutrition and well-being, highlighting the impact nutrition has on an officer’s performance, ranging from long-term effects to shift-by-shift consequences.

This pocket-sized brochure gives officers nutritious options for meals on the go, including guidance on which items to choose and which to skip for breakfast, snacks, and a main meal.

This helpful brochure contains recommended questions officers can pose to their physicians addressing common medical concerns affecting law enforcement personnel.