Stops, searches, and arrests are guided by legal standards and decision-making frameworks through objective reasoning when interacting with members of the public without undue harm or risk to the community or officers.

These police actions require comprehensive policies, procedures, accountability monitoring procedures, training programs, supervision, and public transparency.

focused view of a police car light while a blurred background shows an officer speaking with a car driver

Resources Related to Stops, Searches, and Arrests

  • Reset

Research Brief | 2022

A Research Summary of ‘Body-Worn Cameras, Lawful Police Stops, and NYPD Officer Compliance’

  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests

Case Study, Report | 2022

Comprehensive Assessment of the Seattle Police Department

  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Mental Health and Crisis Response
  • Response to Mass Demonstrations
  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests
  • Use of Force

Guidebook/Tool, Report, Research Brief | 2022

Vehicle Stoppage and Pursuit Management for Law Enforcement Agencies

  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests
  • Officer Safety and Wellness

Other | 2022

Police Data Collection and Transparency

  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests
  • Public Transparency

Report | 2022

Contacts Between Police and the Public, 2020

  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests
  • Use of Force

Guidebook/Tool | 2021

Assessing the Impact of Crisis Intervention Teams: A Review of Research

  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Mental Health and Crisis Response

Other | 2021

Why Police Need to Enforce Traffic Laws

  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests

Report, Research Brief | 2020

Street Violence Crime Reduction Strategies: A Review of the Evidence

  • Crime and Violence Response
  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests
  • Crime Investigations

The information provided within these modules has been gathered from various sources, including legal reviews, research, and practitioner and department-developed resources. These webpage modules are intended to be a guide for departments to use to improve their policing practices. Additional information and resources may be needed to implement the recommendations successfully. This resource is intended to be dynamic, and the Knowledge Lab will continue to update and add to these modules to provide additional and current guidance for departments.

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