Simply stated, the IACP is committed to the principle that there is nothing more important to the success of policing than the trust of the public. That is why I and the next five presidents of our association have made trust building our laser focus and a top priority in our Strategic Plan for the coming years.

To that end, I am so pleased to announce the launch of the IACP Trust Building Campaign.

Through the Trust Building Campaign, IACP members and other police leaders can demonstrate their commitment to enhancing trust between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Centered around the following six key focus areas and the implementation or adoption of 25 key policies or promising practices, the Trust Building Campaign is designed to encourage positive community-police partnerships that promote safe, effective interactions; create strategies to prevent and reduce crime; and improve the well-being and quality of life for all.

Bias-Free Policing

1. Establish a policy on bias-free policing.
2. Increase transparency and accountability of police use of force. Publish complaint process policies and data.
3. Provide officers with training and coaching on cultural responsivity.
4. Train officers on the unique makeup and needs of their communities based on country of origin, religious and cultural practices, etc., which may conflict with local laws.

Use of Force

1. Adopt the elements of the National Consensus Policy on Use of Force into the agency’s policies and procedures. Publish use-of-force policies.
2. Provide regular training on the agency’s use-of-force policies. Training should include scenario-based exercises that incorporate de-escalation techniques.
3. Document all uses of force beyond handcuffing in agency records. Review these records on an annual basis to identify trends that need to be addressed in policy and training.
4. Participate in the National Use-of-Force Data Collection.

Leadership and Culture

1. Establish an agency policy or statement that recognizes the sanctity of life and the importance of preserving human life during all encounters. Adopting the IACP Law Enforcement Oath of Honor (revised in 2020) will meet this requirement.
2. Participate in an accreditation, certification, or credentialing process that utilizes an independent organization who reviews an agency’s policies and procedures.
3. Ensure training and policy reflect a culture of equity, diversion, inclusion, and accountability—and promote procedural justice for community members and employees alike.
4. Establish an employee wellness program that includes both physical and mental health.
5. Conduct a culture assessment of the organization, with steps taken to address areas of concern and opportunity.
6. Provide body armor to all officers and require the wearing of soft body armor while on uniformed patrol.

Recruitment, Hiring, and Retention

1. Approach recruiting based on a guardian officer ideology rather than a warrior mentality.
2. Establish minimum educational standards or equivalency requirements that can be met by prior life experience. Provide officers with opportunities for advanced education and training throughout their careers.
3. Verify potential hires with the national decertification database before hiring experienced officers.
4. Include measures of problem-solving, trust-building, and cultural responsivity in metrics of officer performance.

Victim Services

1. Train officers in trauma-informed response.
2. Train officers on best practices while providing resources and tools for communicating with community members who do not speak English or whose ability to communicate is impaired.
3. Establish partnerships to provide for mental health, substance abuse, and youth deflection and diversion resources in the community.

Community Relations

1. Educate communities on the dynamics of policing and setting reasonable expectations for their police. Establish shared expectations of the role police have in the community and solicit input from the community on agency policies and procedures.
2. Establish a clear and timely complaint process that does not require written or sworn statements to submit. Complaint processes and applicable policies should be accessible to all.
3. Conduct a regular recurring survey of the community to measure the level of trust in the police.
4. Establish written strategies to engage with youth and marginalized groups in the community to foster positive relationships and build trust.

I am very excited about the Trust Building Campaign and the role it can play in enhancing the future of the policing profession.

To join the campaign, law enforcement agencies must pledge that they will, over the next 36 months, implement these key policies and promising practices. Agencies and organizations demonstrating a serious commitment to implementing the key action items in all six areas will become publicly recognized members of the Trust Building Campaign and will receive awareness pins that can be displayed on each officer’s uniform.

I am very excited about the Trust Building Campaign and the role it can play in enhancing the future of the policing profession. It recognizes the need to review our current operations with an eye to transparency and the potential for change. It represents an opportunity for police leaders to recommit and renew our focus on building and strengthening trusting relationships with all segments of our communities. I urge you to take the pledge and join the IACP Trust Building Campaign today!

If you have any questions or comments, please contact me at president@theiacp.org.d

Please cite as

Dwight E. Henninger, “The IACP Trust Building Campaign,” President’s Message, Police Chief 89, no. 7 (July 2022): 6–7.