Social media has many potential uses for law enforcement agencies. The characteristics of collaboration and interactive communication that are at the core of social media align well with the goals of law enforcement. Social media provides a potentially valuable means of assisting law enforcement agencies in meeting community outreach, problem-solving, investigative, and crime prevention objectives. In addition, social media can be used to enhance communication, collaboration, and information exchange; streamline processes; and foster productivity. These documents provide procedures for effective agency use of social media and appropriate regulation of employee use of social media.

Agencies should ensure that all officers are aware of the requirements, limitations, and procedures for strip and body cavity searches. Due to the potentially invasive nature of these searches, their use must balance the individual’s right to privacy with the safety of the officer(s) and the community. These documents can assist agencies in developing thorough and effective guidance for strip and body cavity searches.

Surveillance operations are essential for criminal investigations and information collection required to develop intelligence. However, covert and clandestine methods may be neither appropriate nor necessary and, if used, can have associated risks. Surveillance is suitable only for those types of investigations where information of comparable investigative value cannot be obtained by other less intrusive means and is permitted only when reasonable suspicion of criminal activity has been established. Law enforcement agencies should employ surveillance methods only where they can be justified in accordance with principles and operational protocols established by policy.

These documents provide general principles for conducting surveillance operations and establishing internal control processes and procedures to ensure the protection of individuals’ civil rights and to ensure the efficiency and the effectiveness of surveillance operations.

The Brady v. Maryland decision and subsequent rulings have made it a duty of all law enforcement agencies to (1) identify and provide to the prosecution any exculpatory material that would have a reasonable probability of altering the results in a trial, or any material that could reasonably mitigate the sentencing of a defendant and (2) any material relevant to the credibility of government witnesses, including but not limited to police officers.

These documents provide information to guide law enforcement agencies in properly fulfilling the reporting and testimonial requirements mandated under U.S. Supreme Court decisions including Brady v. Maryland 373 U.S. 83 (1963) and Giglio v. U.S. 405 U.S. 150 (1972).