21st-Century Policing Recommendations

Pillar 2: Embrace community policing 

Community policing is a philosophy as well as a way of doing business. The commitment to work with communities to tackle the immediate and longer-term causes of crime through joint problem-solving reduces crime and improves the quality of life. It also makes officers safer and increases the likelihood of individuals abiding by the law.2 

Report Recommendation 2.1

Law enforcement agencies should collaborate with community members to develop policies and strategies in communities and neighborhoods disproportionately affected by crime for deploying resources that aim to reduce crime by improving relationships, community engagement, and cooperation.

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Report Recommendation 2.2

Ensure comprehensive policies on the use of force that include training, investigations, prosecutions, data collection, and information sharing that are clear, concise, and openly available for public inspection.

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Report Recommendation 2.3

Implement a non-punitive peer review of critical incidents separate from criminal and administrative investigations to the extent possible under current state law.

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Report Recommendation 2.4

Explore and study identification procedures that implement scientifically supported practices that eliminate or minimize presenter bias or influence.

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Report Recommendation 2.5

Publish public census data regarding the composition of department personnel, including race, gender, age, and other relevant demographic data.

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Report Recommendation 2.6

Collect, maintain, and analyze demographic data on detentions (stops, frisks, searches, summons, and arrests), disaggregated by school and non-school contacts.

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Report Recommendation 2.7

Create policies and procedures for policing mass demonstrations that employ a continuum of managed tactical resources designed to minimize the appearance of a military operation and avoid using provocative tactics and equipment that undermine civilian trust.

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Report Recommendation 2.8

Provide civilian oversight to meet the needs of that community.

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Report Recommendation 2.9

Refrain from requiring quotas for tickets, citations, arrests, or summonses, or to initiate investigative contacts with citizens for reasons not directly related to improving public safety, such as generating revenue.

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Report Recommendation 2.10

Ask for consent before a search and explain that a person has the right to refuse consent when there is no warrant or probable cause. Obtain written acknowledgment of consent to search.

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Report Recommendation 2.11

Law enforcement agencies should adopt policies requiring officers to identify themselves by their full name, rank, and command (as applicable) and provide that information in writing to individuals they have stopped. In addition, policies should require officers to state the reason for the stop and the reason for the search if one is conducted.

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Report Recommendation 2.12

Establish search and seizure procedures related to LGBTQ and transgender populations.

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Report Recommendation 2.13

Adopt and enforce policies prohibiting profiling and discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, immigration status, disability, housing status, occupation, or language fluency.

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Report Recommendation 2.14

The U.S. Department of Justice, through the Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services and Office of Justice Programs, should provide technical assistance and incentive funding to jurisdictions with small police agencies that take steps towards shared services, regional training, and consolidation.

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