Stops, searches, and arrests are some of the most common types of encounters that the public has with law enforcement. Each encounter also presents the opportunity for an adverse outcome, up to and including harm to officers and community members. Law enforcement agencies must ensure that all stops, searches, and arrests are made by the rights secured or protected by the US Constitution, specifically the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments, along with state and federal laws.

Ensuring stops, searches, and arrests are lawful and appropriate can help foster community trust and law enforcement legitimacy and promote a shared responsibility for addressing crime and disorder and other public safety priorities.

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Resources Related to Stops, Searches, and Arrests

Visit the Knowledge Lab’s full resource index here.

  • Reset

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

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

Guidebook/Tool | 2020

Traffic Safety Resource Guide

  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests
  • Use of Force

Other | 2020

Arrest Alternatives

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

Report | 2020

Police-Public Contact Survey (PPCS)

  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests

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

Guidebook/Tool | 2020

Collecting, Analyzing, and Responding to Stop Data: A Guidebook for Law Enforcement Agencies, Government, and Communities

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

Recommendations from Civil Rights Litigations

Explore the modules below to learn how Civil Rights Litigation has touched upon arrests, searches & seizures, and investigatory stops & detentions. The information provided within these modules has been gathered from various consent decrees, settlement agreements, and assistance letters. The modules are intended to support agencies in improving their Constitutional policing practices. Additional information and resources may be needed to implement the recommendations successfully. To learn more about civil rights litigation, visit the Knowledge Lab's Federal Interventions Dashboard.

Making Arrests

Searches & Seizures

Investigatory Stops & Detentions

The information provided within these modules has been gathered from various sources, including consent decrees, research, and practitioner and department-developed resources. These webpage modules are intended to be a guide for departments to use to improve their Constitutional 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.

Empowering Law Enforcement Excellence

A Beacon of Guidance at the National Law Enforcement Knowledge Lab

Explore targeted areas such as evidence-based de-escalation, responses to mental illness, lawful procedures, and fostering just, fair, and impartial police practices. Elevate your agency's performance and legitimacy with our guidance and support.