In the mission to support the law enforcement leaders of today and develop the leaders of tomorrow, the IACP is constantly involved in advocacy, programs, research, and initiatives related to cutting-edge issues. This column keeps you up to date on IACP’s work to support our members and the field of law enforcement.

Citation in Lieu of Arrest Report

The IACP, with the support of the Laura and John Arnold Foundation, performed a study on how police departments approach the use of citation in lieu of arrest, its perceived benefits, and challenges. The goal of the study is to provide a reference point for information about citation practices to the law enforcement community and to determine if and when citation in lieu of arrest works best and how the practice can be implemented into policies to achieve the best results.

The study featured a literature review; an e-survey to determine the level of citation use among law enforcement agencies in the United States; and focus group discussions with a diverse cross-section of agencies and officer ranks to assess current law enforcement attitudes about the use of citation. The results of the study demonstrated that although citation in lieu of arrest is widely practiced, the data collection practices vary greatly and the practice’s impact has not been significantly studied or analyzed. The report provides a baseline for further research on the topic, as well as the questions that need to be answered to best help agencies evaluate and establish policies.

Please visit www.theiacp.org/citation to access the report, a trifold brochure, and additional information.

Leading by Legacy Online Resource Toolkit

IACP’s Leading by Legacy Online Resource Toolkit provides practical tools and resources to assist smaller law enforcement agencies in building legacies committed to personal development, improving agency stability, and recognizing the values of the communities they serve. It may also serve as a resource for law enforcement agencies interested in enhancing their knowledge and skills in the areas of leadership, management, and legacy.

This toolkit is organized into three resource areas: individual, organization, and community. These areas were derived from the Leading by Legacy Program’s training curriculum and have been identified as critical elements essential to promoting a positive legacy. This toolkit contains a fourth section dedicated to additional resources that do not necessarily fall under the three core areas, but provide supplemental information for smaller law enforcement agencies on leadership, management, and more.

The toolkit can be accessed at www.theiacp.org/LBL-Resource-Toolkit.

#WhyIWearTheBadge Campaign Continues

The #WhyIWearTheBadge campaign was launched in 2015 to highlight the diversity and commitment of the law enforcement profession and the many reasons officers choose to protect and serve. Individuals all over the world have shared their stories on social media using the hashtag #WhyIWearTheBadge. As the campaign continues in 2016, the IACP hopes that you and your fellow officers will join this campaign and continue to spread these great stories of dedication and service.

For more information, please visit www.theiacp.org/whyiwearthebadge.