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 | 2016

A Law Enforcement Leader’s Guide to Understanding and Engaging in Meaningful Front-End Justice System Change

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

Policy, Training | 2015

Recording Police Activity

  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests
  • Public Transparency

Report | 2014

License Plate Readers for Law Enforcement: Opportunities and Obstacles

  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests
  • Public Transparency

Report | 2014

Safeguarding Children of Arrested Parents

  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests

Guidebook/Tool | 2014

Stop and Frisk: Balancing Crime Control with Community Relations

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

Report | 2013

Police Behavior during Traffic and Street Stops, 2011

  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests

Report | 2010

Problem-Oriented Guides for Police Problem-Specific Guides Series Guide No. 23: Gun Violence Among Serious Young Offenders

  • Crime and Violence Response
  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests

Report, Research Brief | 2008

COPS Evaluation Brief No.3: Creating a Culture of Integrity

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