This core practice area includes developing and implementing use of force and related policies and procedures, including de-escalation, that address reporting, reviewing and investigating uses of force, and establishing accountability and monitoring procedures, such as after-action reviews, training programs, supervision, and transparency.

cropped view of female police officer standing guard

Resources Related to Use of Force

Visit the Knowledge Lab’s full resource index here.

  • Implementation Tools

  • Type of product

  • Audience

  • Reset

A Law Enforcement Officer's Duty Belt

Article | 2018

Body-worn Cameras: What the Evidence Tells Us

  • Stops, Searches, and Arrests
  • Use of Force

After Action Report | 2017

Maintaining First Amendment Rights and Public Safety in North Minneapolis: An After-Action Assessment of the Police Response to Protests, Demonstrations, and Occupation of the Minneapolis Police Department’s Fourth Precinct

  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Response to Mass Demonstrations
  • Use of Force
A Law Enforcement Officer's Duty Belt

Guidebook/Tool | 2017

Documenting Use-of-Force Incidents

  • Use of Force
A Law Enforcement Officer's Duty Belt

Article | 2017

Decision Fatigue and Why It Should Be Understood by Law Enforcement Leadership: Can Science Provide Insight into How Officers Make Decisions?

  • Use of Force
  • Responding to Mass Critical Incidents
  • Crime Investigations

Report | 2016

Collaborative Reform Initiative: An Assessment of the Salinas Police Department

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

Report | 2016

Guiding Principles on Use of Force

  • Mental Health and Crisis Response
  • Use of Force

Guidebook/Tool | 2016

Officer-Involved Shootings: A Guide for Law Enforcement Leaders

  • Crime and Violence Response
  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Mental Health and Crisis Response
  • Use of Force
A Law Enforcement Officer's Duty Belt

Report | 2016

An Evidence-Assessment of the Recommendations of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing

  • Crime and Violence Response
  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Mental Health and Crisis Response
  • Response to Mass Demonstrations
  • Use of Force
  • Officer Safety and Wellness
  • Public Transparency
  • Recruitment and Retention

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.