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 | 2008

Searching Vehicles Without Warrants

  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests

Guidebook/Tool, Report | 2006

Police Labor-Management Relations (Vol. I): Perspectives and Practical Solutions for Implementing Change, Making Reforms, and Handling Crises for Managers and Union Leaders

  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Mental Health and Crisis Response
  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests
  • Officer Safety and Wellness

Report | 2002

Model Statutes Project

  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests
  • Use of Force

Article

Implications of Self-Driving Vehicles: Is Your Department Prepared for Autonomous Vehicle Technology?

  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests

Guidebook/Tool, Training, Webpage

Citation in Lieu of Arrest

  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests

Article

The Sound of a Thousand Bees: Lessons Learned in Developing a Successful Law Enforcement Drone Program

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

Article

DNA Facial Mapping

  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests

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.

Empowering Law Enforcement Excellence

A Beacon of Guidance at the National Law Enforcement Knowledge Lab

Explore targeted areas such as crime and violence reduction, use of force accountability and early intervention, and recruitment and retention. Elevate your agency's performance with our guidance and support.