Community-Police Engagement

Trust and transparency between law enforcement agencies and the people they serve is vital to community stability, officer safety, and effective policing. The IACP wants to help agencies build a solid foundation for that trust. Take advantage of the resources and tools designed to enhance the culture, policies, and practices which will unite agencies with their communities. Learn how to establish trust and legitimacy between your agency and community, collaborate with residents to develop policies and oversight which reflect community values, harness technology and social media to engage and educate community members, and work with residents to implement community policing and crime reduction strategies.

Starting with What Works

The Starting with What Works: Using Evidence-Based Strategies to Improve Community and Police Relations brochure lays out practical steps that provide a road map to…

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Starting with What Works

Community-Police Engagement

Police leaders, community members, and elected officials all play a crucial role in moving constructive public safety efforts forward. The tools below provide policy considerations…

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Community-Police Engagement

Policy Center Resources

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Crowd Management

Civil disturbances and demonstrations have changed over the years, as have the tactics and techniques of law enforcement agencies called upon to manage and control...

Policy Center Resource

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Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities*

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...

Policy Center Resource

Read more about Interactions with Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities*

Mental Illness*

Responding to situations involving individuals reasonably believed to be persons in crisis (PIC) necessitates an officer to make difficult judgments about the mental state and...

Policy Center Resource

Read more about Responding to Persons Experiencing a Mental Health Crisis

Recording Police Activity*

Members of the public, including media representatives, have an unambiguous First Amendment right to record officers in public places, as long as their actions do...

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Resources

Considering Locative Technology in the Disability Community: Balancing Autonomy and Safety

This resource explores key considerations, including advantages and disadvantages, for locative technology to address wandering by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or dementia. It...

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Read more about Considering Locative Technology in the Disability Community: Balancing Autonomy and Safety

Police Chaplains

Police chaplains assist police agency personnel with personal, spiritual, moral, and ethical consultation. Police chaplains are clergy whose function is to provide support and guidance...

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Alternatives to Arrest

Programs offering alternatives to arrest have the potential to positively alter the outcomes for individuals who come into contact with the criminal justice system. By...

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Resources on Developmental Disabilities

These resources discuss the importance of understanding developmental disabilities and highlight common encounters officers may have with individuals with developmental disabilities in the field.