Across the globe, public and private sector organizations alike have learned that collaboration and partnerships can produce greater outcomes and services for their constituents. Within the law enforcement and criminal justice arena, dynamic partnerships of leadership organizations can and do result in the creation of innovative, effective, and cost-efficient crime prevention efforts. Partnerships yield a wider reach with critical information, and they can also influence more effective enforcement of laws. Successful crime prevention and response, increased public safety, and reduced fear of crime are often the results of successful working relationships.

In an effort to continue to forge relationships, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) has joined forces with the Police Foundation and European Police Office (Europol) by entering into two memoranda of understanding (MOUs) to promote enhanced cooperation and partnerships in order to further our reach and services that we provide to the law enforcement field and other components of the criminal justice system.

The Police Foundation has almost 45 years of experience in leading research and technical assistance projects focused on law enforcement policy and practice, and its mission is to advance policing through innovation and science.

The IACP has partnered in the past with the Police Foundation on different efforts, including the ground-breaking study of police use of force in 1994; the co-leadership of the National Law Enforcement Partnership for the Prevention of Gun Violence; and, most recently, the Near Miss Reporting System and the Evidence-Based Policing App that was launched at the IACP Annual Conference and Expo in Orlando, Florida.

Through the MOU with the Police Foundation, we will enhance our dialogue and increase our partnership on a wide range of important initiatives. The IACP-Police Foundation partnership will provide the law enforcement community with unparalleled and groundbreaking research efforts designed to enhance the effectiveness of policing and criminal justice agencies throughout the world.

Europol is the European Union’s (EU’s) law enforcement agency whose main goal is to help achieve a safer Europe for the benefit of all EU citizens. Europol assists the European Union’s Member States in their fight against serious international crime and terrorism.

Europol and the IACP have collaborated in the past for events such as the European Police Chiefs Convention and the IACP Annual Conference, where the two organizations have engaged with the intent to increase international cooperation in law enforcement.

The threat landscape faced by Europe, the United States, and the international law enforcement community is very similar and the enhancement of the relationship between IACP and Europol will result in a better understanding and a more effective approach to combating the common threats posed by international organized crime and terrorism and lead to greater safety and security for citizens and communities worldwide.

The IACP looks forward to increasing the level of collaboration and cooperation between the IACP and the Police Foundation and Europol. It is our hope that, through mutual assistance, support, and joint activities, we can enhance the quality of service we offer our members and strengthen the ability of law enforcement to protect citizens from global threats. ♦

Please cite as:

Richard Beary, “Joining Forces,” President’s Message, The Police Chief 81 (December 2014): 6.