News

CRI-TAC Spotlight: Metropolitan Nashville (TN) Police Department’s Professional Wellness Section

The Collaborative Reform Initiative: Technical Assistance Center (CRI-TAC) Spotlight series is committed to advancing knowledge through sharing tools, resources and information developed for the law enforcement field as a result of customized training and technical assistance delivered by CRI-TAC. This publication provides guidance to the law enforcement field on the purpose, structure and goals of law enforcement wellness checks and the different types of wellness checks agencies can establish. A copy of this publication can be downloaded at https://tinyurl.com/36mwh8m8


Springfield Armory® FIRSTLINE Program Continues Its Support of America’s FirstResponders

Springfield Armory reports that its FIRSTLINE program – launched in 2022 to support law enforcement and other first responders – remains active and widely used in 2026. FIRSTLINE was created to give qualified professionals direct access to duty-ready firearms at substantial discounts through a simple, point-of-sale process. “From the start, FIRSTLINE was built around the needs of working officers,” says Fred Mincks, Law Enforcement Sales Manager for Springfield Armory. “We recognize the demands placed on today’s first responders, and this…


Protecting Yourself from Doxing

One emerging cyber threat which can impact individuals, including law enforcement officers, other criminal justice practitioners and their families, is doxing. Doxing occurs when someone’s personal information is discovered and maliciously exposed online. This can include uncovering someone’s real name, home address, place of employment, and other personal information. It is important to ensure that apps, browsers and devices are set in a way which minimizes the risk of compromise. Our digital footprint consists of a plethora of personal data…


NamUs Database and Program Offer Critical Resources for Law Enforcement Investigators

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, or NamUs, connects law enforcement with no-cost tools and resources to resolve missing and unidentified person cases. This includes state-of-the-art technology to securely store, share and compare case information with other criminal justice professionals. Law enforcement personnel can register to become professional NamUs users and search/view case information like dental records, fingerprint cards and other sensitive information. They can also add, edit and track cases through their authorized permissions in the system. Along…


Managing Critical Incidents and Mass Demonstrations

The National Policing Institute (NPI) recently released its latest InFocus resource titled “Managing Critical Incidents and Mass Demonstrations.” From large political rallies to spontaneous community demonstrations, the American tradition of protest has grown in both frequency and intensity over the past decade. While these events are a vital expression of democracy, they also pose significant challenges for public safety. The NPI’s InFocus resource includes what we know about protests in critical incidents; preparation and accountability gaps; and practical steps for…


High-risk Explosives Sweep Course

The High-risk Explosives Sweep Course provides participants with foundational knowledge of explosive sweep protocols and an opportunity to practice high-risk explosives sweep techniques of a large facility, an area and routes.  This one-and-a-half hours Independent Study Training (IST) is a self-paced, Web-based course covers the following topics: Participant roles in performing high-risk explosives sweeps; sweep fundamentals and identifying best practices and procedures for high-risk explosives sweeps; and conducting thorough and systematic sweeps at large facilities, areas and routes. Visit https://tinyurl.com/vnw4z5tp…


System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER)

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) manages the SAVER Program to assist emergency responders in making procurement decisions. Since its inception in 2004, the SAVER Program has produced more than 1,100 publications. These publications – which include focus group, market survey and assessment reports, as well as tech notes, application notes, handbooks, guides, and other documents – are described in detail on the SAVER Document Descriptions page. They provide valuable information…


Agency Successes in After-Action Reviews

The National Policing Institute (NPI) recently posted its InFocus resource, “Highlighting Agency Successes in After-Action Reviews.” After-Action Reviews (AARs) have long played an essential role in improving performance – not only in law enforcement, but also in the military, aviation, public health, and the private sector. Their value extends from analyzing large-scale incidents to refining routine daily operations. This resource includes defining AARs; examples which document effective, successful agency responses; seven key questions for after-action reviews; as well as how…


ABLE Employee Wellness Guidance

The COPS Office has partnered with Georgetown Law’s Center for Innovations in Community Safety to publish this guidance for agen­cies wishing to train their personnel in the ABLE curriculum – Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement. The ABLE curriculum creates a law enforcement culture of effective peer intervention to prevent harm to officers, departments and communities; this publication provides additional information on programs, training and resources specifically to reinforce employee wellness. A copy of the publication can be downloaded at https://tinyurl.com/4cf7yaxu


Elements of an Effective Active Shooter Course

The COPS Office recently released the “Elements of an Effective Active Shooter Course Fact Sheet.” This fact sheet is designed to help law enforcement leaders and trainers determine whether an active shooter training fits their needs. Law enforcement leaders and training personnel should review these topics and activities and determine whether their current active shooter training successfully incorporates these features.To download a copy of the fact sheet, visit https://tinyurl.com/5fyj8mh3