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.
Always be prepared for questions about your agency’s traffic stop responses, policy and patrol officer training
A recent case involving law enforcement provides an opportunity for a closer look
Focusing on observed behavior will help protect both the individuals needing assistance and the officers responding to the situation
Police will now be able to pursue cars with ties to drug dealing or reckless driving in specific circumstances
We asked our audience to weigh in on topics like body-worn camera training and policy for the release of video to the public
Minneapolis police officers will be required to have their body cameras on when they respond to calls and make traffic stops
Middletown, Ohio, is considering a controversial proposal to limit the number of times a person who overdoses on opioids can receive naloxone from first responders
Consider the many things that affect and are affected by your department’s pursuit policy
The policy exempts police audio and video recordings from public records laws and gives PDs broad discretion over when to refuse requests from people for copies of them
Police fired 58 rounds at the suspect’s car
Under the final version of the policy, officers can no longer shoot a fleeing suspect after they committed or tried to commit a felony using deadly force
The Los Angeles Police Department and New York Police Department also have similar policies
The policy will still forbid tattoos on an officer’s hands, neck or face, and any racially discriminatory or otherwise offensive tattoos
While the use of BWCs by police is still relatively new, there have already been a number of legal cases tied to complex issues surrounding the tech
Videos shot by civilians can be a critical part of your investigation
Sgt. Kenneth Becker told Jesse Bright it was against a new law to film police officers
Some of the most important U.S. Supreme Court cases for law enforcement are either misunderstood or entirely unknown by the average American citizen
The lawsuit alleges the Milwaukee PD’s stop-and-frisk program is citywide but is concentrated in areas largely populated by minorities
From privacy to cybersecurity, law enforcement agencies must have their plans in place
A police department is liable for social media policy that violates officers’ First Amendment rights
Officers with specialized training will be able to refer anyone having a mental health or substance abuse crisis to a hospital or treatment facility rather than arrest them
Jim and Doug discuss the second pillar of Obama’s 21st Century Policing task force report
This is the first time de-escalation has been included in the report
Two former officers were disciplined after criticizing the department on Facebook
You will need to do your due diligence before finalizing your policy
Jim and Doug discuss no-tattoo policies
Today’s law enforcement and civic leaders would be wise to heed the lesson of the Newhall massacre
Agencies should be very deliberate in choosing the words and phrases used in their policy manual
Body cameras are pervasive and so are the policies on how to use them. Use these tips to make sure your policy is on the right track.
Agencies that adopt overly restrictive provisions in their use of force polices somehow believe this will protect them from liability, when in reality it may lead to increased liability
As with any official document that represents the department, thoroughly review every aspect of the P&P manual at your new agency, and ensure it is updated and tailored to your department
Managing conflict in your department can be a thankless task, and if not carefully approached, it can lead to feelings of favoritism, or even serve to reinforce a “us versus them” attitude
Your procedure manual is the who, what, where, and how — policy is the why
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