Creating a Model Policy for Law Enforcement-Research Partnerships

• In Event: Translating Police Research to Policy and Practice: Initial Work of the IACP/UC Center for Police Research and Policy

Abstract

The contemporary movement towards evidence-based practices in policing reinforces the importance of further understanding the mechanisms that support and promote research-practitioner partnerships. For police agencies, written policies are vital to guiding their procedures and practices. The International Association of Chiefs of Police creates and disseminations model policies for several different practices but none have previously existed on developing partnerships between police agencies and researchers. This model policy was developed in consultation with leading policing scholars and practitioners, and provides a guide for how to integrate research into the everyday practices of law enforcement agencies. Elements of the model policy to be discussed include: establishment of a partnership, development of a memorandum of understanding (MOU), and how to successfully sustain a partnership. Overall, the model policy offers a framework for how collaboration between law enforcement agencies and police researchers can promote the increased use of fair and effective policing strategies.

Authors

• Amanda Graham, University of Cincinnati

• John Eck, University of Cincinnati

• Robin S. Engel, University of Cincinnati

• Tim Sabransky, University of Cincinnati