News

The NIJ and its multidisciplinary partners have released an updated technical guide for conducting collaborative death scene investigations. The 2024 guide accounts for key changes in the field, including advances in DNA technology, communication and documentation technology; procedures for drug, child and infant death investigations; and collaboration between investigators and professional partners, families and the media.  This revised edition is a collaborative effort to update the content to ensure the best possible outcome for both death and criminal investigations today. Download…

The COPS Office’s Collaborative Reform Initiative – Critical Response program provides targeted technical assistance to law enforcement agencies experiencing high profile events, major incidents, or sensitive issues of varying need. Following a series of organizational and leadership changes at the Columbus (Ohio) Division of Police (CDP), Jensen Hughes conducted a thorough, independent review and analysis of the CDP’s policies, procedures and training and operational protocols pertaining to use of force. This publication presents the findings of that review and analysis…

A new study found that many widely assumed indicators of trafficking in online escort ads are likely not reliable – but some are.   The research builds on our knowledge about how traffickers construct and use advertising when trafficking victims and helps differentiate between those for consensual sex work.  In addition to key findings, researchers developed a practice guide to help law enforcement and other practitioners uncover more victims; build trafficking cases; and train investigators, prosecutors, judges, and victim service…

Published by the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), this guide is designed to offer law enforcement agencies proactive ways to build trust and legitimacy through intentional law enforcement–community dialogue and identifies ideas and actions law enforcement might take reactively to draw on that accrued trust and rebuild relationships in the immediate aftermath of a critical law enforcement action. Leveraging social science research and case studies of existing law enforcement–community dialogue processes, this guide offers four considerations for the immediate…

Funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance and released by the Student, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Program, the Safer Schools Training and Technical Assistance Clearinghouse for Law Enforcement provides a one-stop shop for law enforcement and school safety professionals to access relevant training and technical assistance. The clearinghouse also features a comprehensive resource library which hosts publications, Web sites, trainings, Webinars, videos, and podcasts aimed at addressing specific aspects related to enhancing school resource officer programs, school…

Published by the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP), this publication provides details about training content surrounding overdose response for officers; how agencies obtain their naloxone; and respondents’ beliefs on whether administering naloxone and other programs aimed at reducing opioid use in the community is a responsibility of law enforcement agencies. This data was formulated based on the 2020 Law Enforcement Overdose Response Survey fielded by RTI International to a nationally representative sample of law enforcement agencies, including…

Teledyne FLIR Defense, developer of leading advanced airborne imaging systems, is playing a pivotal role in transforming the narrative of the highly anticipated television series, “CHOPPER COPS.” Teledyne FLIR’s cutting-edge thermal technology has enabled a breathtaking perspective on the exploits of the Marion County (FL) Sheriff’s Department’s elite aviation unit. The show premiered on Paramount+ on June 18th and features ten half-hour episodes showcasing the Marion County Sheriff’s Department’s state-of-the-art helicopters and highly skilled crews. Known as Air One, these…

The National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) has announced the release of the latest versions of the Tactical Response Operations Standards (TROS) and the newly created Public Order Standards. These new standards signify a major milestone in the ongoing commitment to professionalism, top service and accountability within the law enforcement community. The TROS and new Public Order Standards are invaluable resources, equipping law enforcement professionals with the critical information necessary to handle complex and challenging situations effectively. The updated TROS reflects…

In 2022, an estimated 13.6 million people drove under the influence of illicit drugs. When investigating impaired driving cases and traffic fatalities, the National Safety Council currently recommends that forensic toxicology labs regularly test blood for 35 of the most common drugs and metabolites found in these cases.  However, limitations can interfere with our understanding of how frequently drug use contributes to impaired driving incidents. To better understand this, NIJ funded researchers from the Center for Forensic Science Research and…

Written by the National Policing Institute (NPI), this article presents the findings of George Mason University’s (GMU’s) evaluation of the implementation of the Fatality Reduction Enforcement Program (FREE) at the Iowa State Patrol (ISP) in 2018 and 2019. GMU’s evaluation suggests that FREE reduced crashes involving impaired driving in the program area by 18% in year one and may have contributed to more significant reductions in speed-related crashes. Law enforcement leaders may consider this approach to complement other strategies used…