Violence Reduction
Reducing violence has long been a fundamental principle of the policing profession. The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) remains dedicated to enhancing community safety across the globe and supporting law enforcement agencies in addressing violence with effectiveness and efficiency. With a longstanding commitment to both the profession and the communities police serve, the IACP promotes evidence-based, field-informed practices and innovative approaches to address crime and reduce violence.
Ensuring public safety depends on the ability of police agencies to respond to violence within homes, neighborhoods, and broader communities. Violence manifests in various forms across diverse environments and affects all demographics, driven by a wide range of underlying causes. As a result, police leaders must continuously adapt their responses and policy strategies to address these evolving challenges. The IACP provides an extensive array of tools and resources designed to support violence prevention, policy development, and victim assistance.
Violent Crime
Violent crime can take many forms, including homicides, gun violence, mass shootings, and interpersonal conflicts. Each type often arises from distinct underlying causes; thus, the strategies, policies, and resources needed to address them must be tailored accordingly.
IACP Resources
- Evidence-Based Crime Reduction Strategies for Small, Rural, and Tribal, Agencies
- BCJI Action Plan Guidance Tool
- Community Building Using 2nd Generation CPTED
- Deterring and Reducing Opportunities for Violence in Hot Spots
- Innovative Community Engagement Strategies for Community-Based Crime Reduction
- Designing Out Crime and Creating Safe Spaces
IACP Model Policies
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Domestic violence is abusive behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over a current or former intimate partner or family or household member. While specific legal definitions will vary by jurisdiction, acts of domestic violence can include physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological. Specific legal definitions of sexual assault will also vary by jurisdiction and can include a wide range of victimizations/crimes that include attacks or attempted attacks generally involving unwanted sexual context between the victim and offender.
IACP Resources
- Police Response to Violence Against Women (VAW) Resource Library
- Enhancing Community Trust: Proactive Approaches to Domestic and Sexual Violence Toolkit
- Successful Trauma Informed Victim Interviewing
- The Crime of Domestic Violence Roll-Call Video
- Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI)
- Responding to Sexual Violence in LGBTQ+ Communities: Law Enforcement Strategies and Considerations
- Sexual Assault Incident Reports: Investigative Strategies
- Trauma Informed Sexual Assault Investigation Training Curriculum
IACP Model Policies
Mass Violence
Mass violence incidents, such as shootings and terrorism, are sudden, human-caused tragedies that can affect entire communities and even the nation. These attacks often target vulnerable individuals, causing fear, confusion, and a loss of safety—even among those not directly involved (SAMHSA).
IACP Resources
- Considerations for Law Enforcement Leaders
- Healing in the Wake of Harm
- Mass Violence Advisory Initiative
- Terrorism Committee
IACP Model Policies
Youth and Violence
Youth violence refers to the deliberate use of physical force or power by individuals aged 10 to 24 to intimidate, injure, or harm others. It can take many forms, including physical fights, bullying, weapon-related threats, and gang activity. Young people may experience youth violence as victims, perpetrators, or witnesses (CDC).
IACP Resources
Victim Services
Law enforcement is often the first interaction victims have in the aftermath of a crime. Appropriate response to victims is key to securing victims’ rights and providing access to immediate services and support. Implementing victim-centered and trauma-informed principles throughout agency response to victims can minimize certain aspects of victimization and strengthen the relationship between agencies and their communities.
IACP Resources
- Enhancing Law Enforcement Response to Victims of Crime (ELERV)
- Law Enforcement-Based Victim Services (LEV)
- Trauma-Informed Accessibility and Inclusion of Services for Deaf and/or Hard of Hearing Victims Protocol Checklist
- Promising Practices in Law Enforcement Victim Support
- Vicarious Trauma Response Initiative (VTRI)
IACP Model Policies
Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is one of the world’s fastest growing criminal activities, operating on the same scale as the illegal trade of guns and drugs. It involves the exploitation of a person for labor, services or commercial sex through force, fraud, or coercion.
IACP Resources
- Anti-Human Trafficking Virtual Training Library
- Building Police Agency Capacity: A Toolkit for Human Trafficking Investigations
- Toolkit: Child Sex Trafficking — A Training Series for Frontline Officers
- The Crime of Human Trafficking: A Law Enforcement Guide to Identification and Investigation
- The Crime of Human Trafficking: Roll-Call Training Video
- Development & Operations Roadmap for Multidisciplinary Anti-Human Trafficking Task Forces
