Effective media policies and procedures help build positive community relationships. When developing or maintaining a media relations function, agencies should foster working relationships with the media, create an atmosphere of cooperation and open communication, and ensure media personnel have an accurate understanding of agency policies and procedures. These documents will help agencies ensure that all agency personnel understand the importance of media relations and their role in contributing to the agency’s relationship with the media, as well has how to disseminate information in a timely, accurate, and effective way.

Police interactions with citizens form the cornerstone of effective police work. With that in mind, all officers should follow the provisions of agency policy to maximize the usefulness of investigatory citizen contacts while observing and respecting the privacy rights of citizens. These documents do not address stops based on reasonable suspicion of criminal activity or frisks of suspects incidental to such stops, nor does it apply to stops of motor vehicles. Officers should refer to protocols contained in their agency’s policies on Field Interviews and Pat-Down Searches and Motor Vehicle Stops for further information on these related topics.

These documents define the limitations of authority and acceptable conduct and practices of officers when making police business contacts with citizens.

Duty assignments available in law enforcement agencies vary widely with regard to required skills, knowledge and abilities, job demands, benefits and desirability, as well as the potential for advancement and achievement of related personal career objectives. Considering these and related factors, agencies should provide a fair and impartial system for the transfer and rotation of personnel that will, to the degree possible, advance personal career goals and interests consistent with the efficient and effective use of manpower and delivery of police services to the community.

These documents define the requirements, conditions and process for the transfer and rotation of sworn personnel duty assignments.

This topic has been archived - it is intended for reference purposes only and will not be updated.

Personally assigned vehicles are designated to officers of some law enforcement agencies in order to enhance public safety through increased visibility of police vehicles in the community, permit rapid response of off-duty officers to designated emergencies, and enhance the ability of officers subject to frequent callback to do so more effectively.

This document provides officers who have personally assigned police vehicles with guidance on their operation, use in off-duty enforcement, care, and maintenance.

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

Among the more challenging personnel problems faced by law enforcement administrators is the difficulty created by certain personal relationships existing or developing among employees of their agencies. These issues are not new, nor are they limited to law enforcement agencies. The hiring of relatives and romantic involvement among employees has been faced by organizations in both the public and private sector for decades. However, decisive solutions to these matters have been elusive and changes in social values and broadened hiring practices enhance the complexity of the problem. The increased emphasis on employee legal rights often places administrators in the awkward position of balancing those rights against the need to ensure fairness and impartiality in personnel management. It has become very difficult for departments to draft policies and regulations that are sufficiently specific to address these problems effectively and are able to withstand the scrutiny of the courts during subsequent litigation.

This is a stand-alone document, unaccompanied by a model policy, designed to explore the primary issues surrounding personal relationships within the workplace, specifically nepotism and romantic relationships. Following extensive research, the 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.

This paper examines such personal relationships, their effects upon a department, and the legal issues they raise, so that managers may better understand the challenges presented and the approaches that may be taken.

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

Law enforcement agency should maintain stringent control over all confidential funds used by the agency and ensure that the funds are only used for authorized purposes.

These documents establish accounting and control procedures for an agency’s confidential fund.

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

The recognition of personal excellence is an important aspect of a law enforcement agency’s activities. Presenting departmental awards for meritorious service provides that recognition, thereby enhancing departmental morale, reinforcing the department’s commitment to the maintenance of a high standard of performance by its members, and motivating personnel to perform their duties at the highest possible level. Therefore, departments should recognize and reward meritorious service through an awards program.

These documents establish guidelines for recognizing exemplary service by departmental personnel and  provide protocols for the presentation of awards and related recognition for such service.

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

Law enforcement agencies issue aerosol restraint spray to provide officers with additional use-of-force options for gaining compliance of resistant or aggressive individuals in arrest and other enforcement situations. Officers should use aerosol restraint spray when warranted, but only in accordance with the guidelines and procedures set forth in their agency’s use-of-force policy.

This is stand alone document, unaccompanied by a model policy, explores the primary issues surrounding the issuance of rifles to line patrol officers. Following extensive research, the 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 program. 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 be to implement a patrol rifle program or modify an existing program, or to reject or defer decision making on this matter.

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

In some instances, a successful investigation cannot be conducted without the use of confidential informants (CIs). While the use of CIs can be an effective tool, it can be undermined by misconduct of the CI or improper management by the handler. Law enforcement agencies should take necessary precautions when utilizing CIs by developing sound informant control procedures.

These documents provide protocols for the control and use of CIs.

Law enforcement agencies should adhere to the guidance provided by the U.S. Department of State concerning consular notification and access based on treaty obligations. Adherence to these obligations helps foreign governments provide assistance to foreign nationals arrested in the United States and helps the U.S. government protect U.S. citizens abroad. Agencies should ensure that all foreign nationals are treated with respect and provided with immunities under international law where applicable.

This document contains instruction and guidance on consular notifications and access required upon the arrest, detention, or death of foreign nationals.

03/2025 Update:  In addition to this guidance, please reference the IACP's Immigration Policy Fact Sheet, IACP's Immigration Enforcement Addendum, and the U.S. Department of State Consular Notification and Access Manual located below. 

IACP Immigration Policy Fact Sheet

IACP Immigration Enforcement Addendum

U.S. Department of State Consular Notification and Access Manual 

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

Law enforcement agency should establish proactive procedures to prevent corruption, to investigate complaints or allegations of corruption, and to administer appropriate administrative punishment or criminal prosecution where corrupt acts are confirmed.

These documents are intended to assist agencies in preventing corruption and to prescribe actions to be taken in the event that corruption is alleged and/or identified.

This topic has been archived - it is intended for reference purposes only and will not be updated. For an updated discussion on this topic, see the IACP Law Enforcement Policy Center documents on Standards of Conduct.