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Better knowledge of the use and effects of Conducted Energy Devices (CEDs) and developments in constitutional law have prompted law enforcement in the past decade to revisit policies on the widely used “less-lethal weapon” which stuns and usually immobilizes subjects to make it easier for law enforcement officers to subdue them. Since CEDs were introduced as a law enforcement tool, the NIJ has sponsored research related to implementation, officer training and potential effects. NIJ-sponsored research on CED effects has repeatedly…

The recent ransomware attacks targeting systems across the country are the latest in a string of attacks affecting state and local government partners. The growing number of such attacks highlights the critical importance of making cyber preparedness a priority and taking the necessary steps to secure our networks against adversaries. Prevention is the most effective defense against ransomware. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), the National Governors Association (NGA), and the…

The National Institute of Justice has released a new video which highlights the work of practitioners from across the criminal justice system. The video and its companion document, “National Best Practices for Implementing and Sustaining a Cold Case Investigation Unit,” (PDF) provide information on the importance of cold case units and the impact they can have within the criminal justice system. To view the video, go to nij.ojp.gov/media/video/23381

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services recently published a new report, “Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Programs: Eleven Case Studies,” designed primarily to address officer psychological health and well-being. This document focuses on innovative, but replicable, programs in law enforcement agencies of various sizes around the country. The publication reports on 11 case studies of programs in ten departments and one call-in crisis line. Each chapter describes the agencies’ programs and their origins, focusing on elements which can be implemented elsewhere…

The Law Enforcement Cyber Center (LECC) is designed to assist police chiefs, sheriffs, commanders, patrol officers, digital forensic investigators, detectives, and prosecutors who are investigating and preventing crimes which involve technology. The LECC addresses three principal functional areas: cybercrime investigations; digital forensics; and information systems security. The LECC is a collaborative project of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National White Collar Crime Center, and the Police Executive Research Forum. It is made possible by funding from the Bureau…

NRA’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award was established in 1993 and recognizes an exceptional act or service by a law enforcement officer and is administered by the NRA Law Enforcement Division. Nominations are accepted from anyone having knowledge of the nominee’s actions. This includes, but is not limited to, the nominee’s agency head, other law enforcement officials, elected officials, fellow officers, community leaders, interested citizens, and NRA members. For eligibility information, award categories, and complete information, click here…

Emergency Alert, Warning and Notification (AWN) systems protect lives and property by identifying information about an impending threat, communicating that information to those who need it, and facilitating timely protective actions.  To enhance this critical information sharing across all AWN systems, SAFECOM and the National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators, in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, developed the Ten Keys to Improving Emergency Alerts, Warnings, and Notifications. Download a copy of this report…

Nearly all law enforcement officers have had an interaction with an individual who is mentally ill or experiencing a mental health crisis and 60% of officers say mentally ill individuals make up at least 11% of their contacts. The statistics come from a recently released report from Lexipol, the nation’s leading source of mission-critical training and state-specific policy solutions for law enforcement agencies. People experiencing a mental crisis have a higher chance of an interaction with law enforcement officers. Some…

Investigating and responding to sexual assault crimes is a priority for law enforcement and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) has tools to help agencies as they continue to evaluate and examine their responses to sexual assault crimes. These tools are designed to help law enforcement agencies enhance their support of survivors of sexual assault crimes and agencies’ ability to hold offenders accountable. One aspect of supporting survivors is ensuring that the law enforcement agency they report to…

The Vera Institute of Justice’s Policing Program develops the quarterly digest Emerging Issues in American Policing to deliver information on innovations in the field of policing to police practitioners and community members. Vera’s Policing Program gathers the material presented in the digest from leading academic journals and research publications, compiling them for easy access and analysis by justice professionals. The latest edition of the digest, Emerging Issues in American Policing, Volume 7, focuses on topics including the following: Reviewing mental health calls in a…