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

Visit the Knowledge Lab’s full resource index here.

  • Reset

Guidebook/Tool | 2021

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

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

Other | 2020

Arrest Alternatives

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

Guidebook/Tool | 2020

Traffic Safety Resource Guide

  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests
  • Use of Force
A Law Enforcement Officer's Duty Belt

Other | 2020

A Multi-Method Investigation of Officer Decision-Making and Force Used or Avoided in Arrest Situations: Tulsa, Oklahoma and Cincinnati, Ohio Police Use of Force Narrative Data Analysis Report

  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests
  • Use of Force

Other | 2020

The Impacts of Arrest

  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Mental Health and Crisis Response
  • 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

Report | 2020

Reassessing Arrest: Exploring Pre-Arrest Diversion as an Alternative to Arrest for Vulnerable Populations

  • Crime and Violence Response
  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Mental Health and Crisis Response
  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests

Other | 2020

Implementation and Evaluation

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

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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