The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)’s Policy Center was created through a partnership with the United States Bureau of Justice Assistance in 1987, until it became an independent IACP project in 2016.

In 2025, the IACP Policy Center merged with the IACP’s Center for Police Research to create the IACP Center for Police Research and Policy, reflecting the importance of integrating evidence-based practices in the Policy Center’s deliverables.

While the Policy Center has undergone multiple transformations, the main goal remains the same: Assist IACP members across the globe with the critical task of developing and refining agency policy.

For each topic released by the Policy Center, up to four resources may be produced, including a model policy, considerations document, a concepts and issues paper, and a need-to-know summary. Recognizing that no single model policy can meet the needs of all police agencies, during the development of IACP policy guidance, multiple factors are taken into consideration to provide comprehensive documents for IACP members. Collectively, these resources are designed to be used as a starting point for agencies that are developing or revising their own policies and procedures, ensuring access to information that is relevant and appropriate for each audience. However, they should not be used without the necessary tailoring to meet an agency’s specific requirements.

Process Overview

Policy Center deliverables are designed to incorporate the diverse perspectives of all IACP members. As an IACP benefit, members not only gain access to these member-only documents but have the opportunity to participate in the development process.

Topic Selection

The IACP maintains a library of more than 150 topics that undergo constant revision, with new topics being continuously added. Each year, Policy Center staff and the Policy Center Advisory Group (PCAG) identify topics that the Policy Center will focus on based on the needs of the field. This includes revisions to existing topics in response to changes in legislation, new methods, and updated information. Topics under active review by the Policy Center are indicated on the IACP website, ensuring members are aware if updated guidance is forthcoming.

The Policy Center stays current on emerging topics in the field and integrates the need for new policy guidance as these topics arise. An example of the Policy Center’s work on new and emerging topics is the recently published artificial intelligence guidance released in 2025. For any new publications, Policy Center staff will conduct research, review existing policies, and develop an outline prior to bringing together a working group.

Policy Center Working Groups

Once a new draft is developed or an existing topic is selected for revision, the Policy Center will solicit volunteers to serve on a working group to assist with policy development and revisions. At any given time, the Policy Center has eight to ten policies in various stages within the development process. The Policy Center relies on the unmatched expertise of the IACP’s membership to ensure that any published documents are accurate and feasible in the field. Working groups consist of the IACP’s committees, sections, divisions, and subject matter experts within the field of policing. Working group members serve in a short-term commitment, typically lasting a few months. The Policy Center has expanded its solicitation and selection process to include volunteers from all aspects of policing and public safety with diverse expertise and perspectives to ensure that all guidance is sound and useful for the field and the intended end users.

While working groups are tasked with developing guidance on a single topic, all documents are peer-reviewed by the PCAG. Members of the PCAG are carefully selected to represent experts from various areas within policing and public safety. The PCAG meets regularly throughout the year and, in 2026, increased the frequency of its meetings to support the timely development and release of policy guidance. Documents may undergo multiple rounds of review between working groups and the PCAG to ensure that the best considerations are being put forward to the field.

Internal Review & Publication

Once both the working group and PCAG come to a consensus on the draft policy guidance, there is an internal review prior to publication. This ensures that there is clear and consistent messaging on policy-related matters across the IACP.

All Policy Center documents are then released on the IACP’s website and IACPnet as a member benefit.

Upcoming Deliverables

• Policy Topic Checklist – Updated yearly, this resource outlines all policy areas for which the IACP provides guidance. Designed to help police agencies identify the status of their current policies and determine where guidance may need to be updated, added, organized, or consolidated.
• Glossary – Updated yearly, provides a list of terms and definitions used within the IACP’s policy guidance documents, which also helps standardize language across IACP publications.
• Police Chief’s Desk Reference – Revised with insights from current and former police chiefs, this document has information that a new police chief can find useful during this important transition. With up-to-date information on leadership, police philosophy, staffing, operations, community engagement, and more.

To access these and other resources, visit theIACP.org/researchpolicy and search under “Policy Resources.” d

Please cite as:

Katrine Malakhova, “From Concept to Practice:Developing Comprehensive Model Policies from the Ground Up,” IACP@Work, Police Chief 93, no. 6 (June 2026): 58–61.