This report presents the key findings and recommendations of an expert workshop of law enforcement executives and researchers commissioned to identify and characterize issues currently facing law enforcement agencies, including both challenges and opportunities, as well as needs for innovation that may assist in addressing them.
The workshop, which was held on August 28 and 29, 2018, reached a consensus on eight key recommendations. The workshop recommends the identification and assessment of the existing and proposed best practices for physical, mental, and emotional support opportunities for law enforcement officers, their families, and their agencies. A second recommendation is to develop early identification and intervention systems that can assist agencies and officers anticipate and address potential problems. A third recommendation is to conduct research that will identify the sources of stress for law enforcement officers and their likely impact on officer health and wellness. A fourth recommendation is to conduct research that identifies how public-sentiment monitoring tools and services, along with appropriate law enforcement interventions, can best improve police-community relations. A fifth recommendation is to develop systems that automate and accelerate review of evidence and the production of reports. A sixth recommendation is to conduct realistic street-level research into interaction skills that are rooted in how most law enforcement scenarios evolve. A seventh recommendation is to conduct research that identifies the skills, abilities, and experiences that are most useful in the current policing environment. The eighth recommendation is to develop a continually updated inventory of law enforcement information analysis tools, which should also identify gaps in available tools.