Law enforcement leaders address pressing issues, threats, and challenges that can impact their departments or communities daily. Sometimes though, the answers they need are not always clear. When leaders need answers about policy and best practices, where can they turn?
Since 1991, IACP Net has worked side-by-side with the International Association of Chiefs of Police on the shared goal of providing world-class information and resources. While many believed that IACP Net and the IACP were one and the same, they were actually two separate entities working closely to realize their mutual goal.
However, that has changed. As of December 2017, IACP Net is now an important element of IACP, with a reduced IACP Net subscription cost for IACP members. IACP Net is known for providing valuable resources and great customer service, and both of these features will continue.
Valuable Resources
The following are only some of the services that IACP Net provides to its customers:
Policies e-Library: Writing effective, up-to-date policies is a top priority for law enforcement agencies. IACP members are familiar with the Model Policies from the IACP Law Enforcement Policy Center, which cover some of the most crucial issues facing law enforcement administrators. IACP Net’s Policies e-Library builds on those policies, housing over 25,000 policy samples from member departments, with more than 10,000 from CALEA- and state-accredited agencies.
IACP Net’s Policies e-Library was developed to enhance IACP’s model policy resources. Customers can search for in-practice policies by topic, filtering results by agency size, date the policy was written, and state, which benefits departments seeking policies that are tailored specifically to their department size and compliant with their state laws.
For example, on a topic such as use of force, policies can be filtered not only by agency size, but also by a particular type of force within the topic of force, for instance, use of chemical force. If an agency is going through CALEA accreditation, the search can be easily narrowed to polices from accredited departments.
The Policies e-Library is the first resource that Chief Kevin Liles uses when developing policies for the University of South Carolina Aiken Police Department:
I don’t believe in reinventing the wheel and can easily refer to the approaches that other agencies have found to be “best practice” and of a high caliber.1
Main e-Library: Within the Main e-Library, users can locate best practices, training materials, forms, ordinances, videos, and more from hundreds of sources worldwide. Customers also have access to current and back issues of a variety of periodicals including The Police Chief, AELE Monthly Law Journal, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, Forensic Magazine, and Sheriff & Deputy, helping subscribers stay on top of current trends in policing. All information is vetted before being added to the library.
Chief Jeffrey Beahen of the Rogers, Minnesota, Police Department shares his experience with the site:
IACP Net provides the information and resources for an agency like Rogers to quickly obtain relevant, timely data which can then be used to resolve new problems, challenges associated with growth and changing demographics and crime trends.2
Networking Tool: Quest-Response connects members to thousands of other law enforcement leaders by giving them a secure forum to post and respond to questions. IACP Net is exclusive to law enforcement professionals, with a command staff focus, so questions reach thousands of forward-thinking leaders instantly. A peer has most likely worked on a similar project and can share his or her experience to help with a project. Law enforcement leaders can share their own expertise and forge lasting relationships with colleagues.
One-Stop Shop: In addition to the extensive e-Libraries and powerful networking service, IACP Net has many other tools to help command staff.
The Funding section lists grants available, along with no-cost and low-cost opportunities for training and educational materials to help stretch tight budgets.
Training, conferences, and other upcoming events are listed in the Events & Training section. Dozens of listings are available for both online and in-person no-cost training opportunities.
IACP Net assists law enforcement leaders in making informed, data-driven decisions through intuitive online resources, tools, and e-libraries.
IACP Net also features a powerful Internet search engine that zeroes in on law enforcement websites. Select Site provides accurate searching of thousands of handpicked sites to help law enforcement users find the information they need.
Customer Service
IACP Net is known for providing excellent customer service. Account managers will walk new users through the sign-up process and make sure they are well trained on the IACP Net site.
Once an agency has signed up, we encourage subscribers to participate in a free walkthrough of the site. An account manager will provide tips, tricks, and a clear understanding of IACP Net’s service areas and how users and their agency will benefit from their site’s resources and services.
When a user calls the hotline for assistance with searching for a new topic, an account manager will guide users to the relevant information, or, if time is short, the account manager can even research the topic and email the information to the user.
Account manager Brittney Christman enjoys assisting law enforcement with IACP Net:
We’ve heard from subscribers that they like the personal touch the IACP Net customer service team provides. Within my three years of working with the company I have developed great relationships with users. I’ve enjoyed having the opportunity to learn more about each department and their specific need and help them each step of the way.3
IACP Net assists law enforcement leaders in making informed, data-driven decisions through intuitive online resources, tools, and e-libraries. Make IACP Net your resource partner today!
Notes:
1Kevin Liles (chief of police, University of South Carolina Aiken Police Department), May 24, 2017.
2Jeffrey Beahen (chief, Rogers, Minnesota, Police Department), June 14, 2016.
3Brittney Christman (account manager, IACP Net), interview, May 23, 2018.
