Policing today is influenced by demands for transparency, accountability, and innovation and for evidence-based policing strategies with measurable outcomes. In this environment, the value of sound research cannot be overstated. But great research is not enough. Research outcomes must also be communicated to police leaders and policymakers with enough detail to be actionable—that is where the IACP Center for Police Research and Policy (the Center) comes in.
The Center’s work is guided by a simple question: How can this help the field? Whether conducting original research, translating academic studies, or identifying trends, the IACP’s goal is to support police leaders with the kind of information they can act on now.
What Works, What Doesn’t, and What’s Emerging
The Center is focused on evaluating and translating research to help police leaders understand what works, what doesn’t, and what’s emerging in the field of policing. This is not simply a catalog of best practices or academic articles; the Center is producing and sharing tools tailored to real-world needs that help agencies make informed decisions rooted in science.
In this issue of Police Chief, we’re launching a new series of briefings aimed directly at busy police leaders. These briefs are designed to get to the bottom line of research: what it says, why it matters, and how it can be operationalized. Whether the topic is recruitment strategies, community trust, or technology use, each brief will be focused on turning evidence into action. The column “Evidence to Action,” introduced in this edition, will appear regularly going forward.
The Model Policy Center: Growing Stronger
It’s important to be clear: the Center for Police Research and Policy is not replacing or competing with the IACP’s long-standing Policy Center. That work continues, and it’s expanding. In fact, one of the Center’s central aims is to build a stronger bridge between research and policy. Grounding policy recommendations in the best available evidence can help ensure the guidance remains flexible enough to adapt to emerging trends.
Benchmarking and Peer Connections
Recognizing the need for transparent data sharing across agencies of various types and sizes, the IACP offers the Police Agency Benchmarking Dashboard. This interactive portal integrates agency-submitted data as well as U.S.-wide data sets and allows agencies to conduct comparative analyses with peer departments, identify policy trends, and explore innovations in practice. It’s free to IACP members and can help departments find and connect with others who have done similar work, reducing redundancy and accelerating progress.
Quick Pulse, Big Picture: Weekly Text Surveys
Soon, the will begin deploying brief, text-based surveys to interested members—just one or two messages per week, with questions designed to take 30 seconds or less to answer. This new effort will provide real-time understanding of the challenges, innovations, and concerns emerging in police agencies around the world. If you’re interested in participating in the pilot test or serving as an expert by responding to these text messages, email Research@theIACP.org.
Looking Ahead: Evidence-Based Policing at IACP 2025
The Center is also looking forward to supporting the Evidence-Based Policing Symposium at this year’s IACP Annual Conference and Exposition in Denver, Colorado. Supported by the Research Advisory Committee and the Police Research Advancement Section, this symposium features “lightning” talks, each around 10 minutes, from police researchers and practitioners across the globe. These talks are selected for their practical value and relevance to police leaders and are a key opportunity to engage directly with the thought leaders shaping the future of the profession. The symposium isn’t just for researchers, it’s for policing leaders, decision-makers, and doers who are ready to share their own expertise and translate evidence into action.
Connecting the Dots
The policing field has never had greater access to data, research, and analytic tools. But access alone isn’t enough. Police leaders need clear, timely, and actionable insights, and that’s what the Center for Police Research and Policy is built to provide.
Whether an agency is exploring policy changes, implementing a new program, or simply trying to understand what’s working elsewhere, the Center is here to help. Visit theIACP.org/research or reach out to the IACP team at Research@theIACP.org to learn more. d
Please cite as:
David T. Snively, “Bringing Research to Reality,” IACP@Work, Police Chief 92, no. 8 (August 2025): 70-71.
