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Law Enforcement Policies

This Policies section highlights how law enforcement policy plays out in the real world, while also connecting you with best practices for drafting, updating and ensuring accountability with policies.

If your agency chooses to do its public safety policy management in-house, then what unexpected costs could impact your department’s budget?
New laws and court decisions mean updated law enforcement policies; here’s an overview of some important topics to watch throughout the year
Exploring the ever-growing array of options and implements that promise to restore order to out-of-control situations
The clarity, consistency and credibility of internal messaging was particularly important during this event
A woman was killed when plainclothes officers entered her home with a no-knock warrant and her boyfriend, believing them to be intruders, opened fire on them
Leaders in our nation’s jails and prisons should follow these six steps to address the crisis, reduce the risk and provide much-needed support
Your lifesaving emergency equipment won’t work properly if you don’t maintain it
“It doesn’t surprise me, to be honest with you,” said Cpl. James Ellenberger. “Some will post their crimes on Faceboook and talk about how they think they’ve gotten away with it”
You are never off duty as a police officer when it comes to how you represent yourself, your agency and your responsibilities
A video of a cop criticizing COVID-19 decrees has amassed nearly 1 million views and reignited the discussion about what officers should and should not say in uniform
Vigilance at every step helps officers avoid complacency and ward off prisoner escapes or assaults
Should all able-bodied sworn officers be placed in uniform into field operations until the orders are rescinded?
With unscrupulous manufacturers selling defective masks and citizens donating ‘homemade’ efforts, public safety agencies must establish face mask guidelines
Most of the killings tragically involve a definable list of deadly tactical errors
When asked if agencies had conducted training in the COVID decrees and explained the penalties for violations and enforcement procedures, more than 60% said no
This pandemic provides an extraordinary opportunity to reshape law enforcement operations and relationships with communities
COPS Office report outlines shortfall of departments in providing adequate mental health resources officers feel comfortable accessing
The key to the interview process is to understand an officer’s state of mind and decision-making process during the event
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office will soon allow deputies to cite minors arrested for misdemeanors instead of arresting them
Best practices and numerous court admonishments prescribe that an agency has a written vehicle inventory policy.
Public safety leaders must consider the larger policy implications inherent in determining how these new laws and guidance apply to personnel
Police leaders have many questions relating to operations during this national emergency
Though the chief and the county were not held liable, this case points to the critical need for policy guiding carrying of weapons off duty
If called upon to deliver a death notification during COVID-19, follow these steps to ensure a professional and empathic response
The resource hub provides IACP members with the tools, information and resources they need to keep officers and their communities safe from COVID-19
The policy now allows people with visible tattoos to apply to be troopers, though the tattoos can’t be visible while troopers are in uniform
Public safety employers have statutory mandates to protect their employees and the public from these diseases
The department has implemented fewer than 15% of reforms it promised to adopt four years ago, though UOF incidents are down 47% since 2016
Troopers and cadets can have tattoos on their forearms and biceps, but they must be concealed by a long-sleeved shirt when on duty
The new policies include ending the charging of cases where contraband was obtained through ‘pretextual’ traffic stops
Data can provide the path through seemingly tough police decisions
Although LEOSA was written with the intent to allow active and retired officers broad powers to carry firearms nationwide, many legal issues remain unresolved
The bill changes suspension and promotion processes and creates a new disciplinary statute for false time reporting