2023

Vehicular Pursuits – A Guide for Law Enforcement Executives on Managing Associated Risks

Published by the Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), in collaboration with the Police Executive Research Forum, this publication aims to help law enforcement agencies manage the risks of conducting and not conducting vehicular pursuits. The guide uses findings from NHTSA research and other credible institutions on crashes and collisions involving police pursuits, as well as focusing group discussions and review of 48 agencies’ policies to provide safety information and model…


Report on Indicators of School Crime and Safety – 2022

Published by the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the National Center for Education Statistics, this report provides summary statistics to inform the nation about current aspects of crime and safety in schools. The report includes the most recent available data at the time of its development, compiled from a number of statistical data sources supported by the federal government. To read the full report, go to https://tinyurl.com/fyp8che4


Recruitment and Retention for the Modern Law Enforcement Agency

Earlier this year, at a convening hosted by the Office for Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and the Bureau of Justice Assistance and funded by the US Attorney General, more than 35 participants met in Washington, DC, to review the current state of law enforcement recruitment and retention and explore ways these activities can be modernized to meet the needs of today’s agencies, communities and workforce. The group pinpointed practices which may be contributing to hiring and retention difficulties in…


Recruiting Women into Policing: Testing the Effectiveness of Recruiting Materials

With women only comprising 12 percent of officers in the field, and just three percent of leadership roles, law enforcement agencies are struggling to meet recruitment goals in terms of diversity and community representation.  Research shows women officers engage more frequently in de-escalation; are effective in responding to crimes involving violence against women; and foster the cooperation and trust required to implement community policing.  To address the need for more women in policing, NIJ funded researchers explored if women-focused recruiting strategies could improve engagement, perceptions and motivation to apply to law enforcement jobs. A copy of the findings can…


Why Your Agency Should Combine Virtual and Physical Training

Ron LaPedis Research conducted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) has revealed that training specifically for de-escalation has resulted in a nearly 30% reduction in use-of-force incidents; an approximate 30% reduction in injuries to community members; and a 40% reduction in law enforcement officer injuries. With the villainization of law enforcement, training which is proven to lower injuries to community members is positive indeed.  However, even with thorough training, situations can still deteriorate. That’s why it’s essential…


How to Evaluate Your Law Enforcement Training Plan

Eugene Nielsen As a law enforcement agency or trainer, you want to ensure that your officers are well trained and prepared to face the challenges and risks of their job. You also want to make sure that your training plan is effective, efficient and aligned with your goals and objectives. With this in mind, how do you know if your training plan is working? How do you measure its impact and outcomes? How do you identify areas for improvement and…


New Resources: Tips and Leads and Threats to Life

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), along with the Global Advisory Committee (GAC) and the Criminal Intelligence Coordinating Council (CICC), is pleased to announce the release of the Tips and Leads and Threats to Life resource documents. The GAC through the CICC’s Tips and Leads and Threat to Life (TL-TTL) task teams developed resources to support the efficient and timely sharing of TL and TTL information originating from tip lines and social media platforms. These resources highlight the importance of…


BEWARE THE LAND MINES: 2023 IACP ECW MODEL POLICY

John G. Peters, Jr., Ph.D. © 2023. A.R.R. Forewarned is forearmed! While there is no such thing as a “perfect [law enforcement force option] policy,” this trusted saying applies to the numerous land mines hidden in plain sight within the new 2023 IACP “Electronic Control Weapons” (ECWs) Model Policy and the Concepts and Issues supporting document which were recently released. This September 2023 Model Policy replaces the IACP’s March 2018 version. As an Associate Member of the IACP, this article…


Implementing Change in an Ever-Evolving World: Law Enforcement’s Innovative Responses to a Constantly Changing Landscape

Change management has long been studied in the business community and many models of organizational change have been proposed with applicability to public sector organizations such as law enforcement agencies. This publication, Implementing Change in an Ever-Evolving World: Law Enforcement’s Innovative Responses to a Constantly Changing Landscape, provides brief case studies of 13 US law enforcement agencies, large and small, which have successfully managed changes in their policies, practices and goals. Each case study considers the actions of leadership in…


Beating Back Father Time: Firearms Tips for Seasoned Officers

Mike Boyle I have often said that, if I wake up in the morning and only one thing hurts, I’m on my way to a good day. One of the harsh realities of life is that, as we age, our physical attributes begin to decline. Our vision isn’t quite as sharp as it once was, strength diminishes, reaction time is a tad slower, and we aren’t quite as flexible as in our youth. Most full police careers run somewhere around…