In today’s fast-paced environment, police professionals at every level face an ever-growing challenge: how to quickly access reliable information to make informed decisions. Whether the task is preparing for a legislative update, identifying promising practices for community engagement, or locating training materials, time is often the most limited commodity

To address this need, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) developed CRIS—the Chief’s Resource & Information Specialist.

What Is CRIS?

CRIS is the IACP’s new AI-powered knowledge assistant, developed to help police professionals find answers in seconds. Built on a foundation of the IACP’s credible resources—including the IACP website, Police Chief articles, IACPlearn content, and conference materials—CRIS delivers accurate, vetted information when it is needed most.

Unlike other search engines, CRIS searches only the IACP website and its curated knowledge base to deliver context-specific responses drawn from IACP content. Each answer includes citations, so users can verify the source.

CRIS is designed for accessibility and flexibility. Users who log into the website with their IACP member credentials gain enhanced functionality, including access to member-only content and personalized features. In addition, CRIS supports multilingual interaction, allowing users to chat in multiple languages to meet the needs of a global policing community.

Whether a police executive, command staff member, or line officer is using the platform, CRIS provides reliable information to make the job easier.

Why CRIS Matters

Police leaders juggle multiple priorities: investigative capabilities, emerging technologies, community trust, officer safety and wellness, and personnel development. Navigating these responsibilities often means sifting through countless documents and websites. CRIS eliminates that burden by offering

• Time Savings: Get instant answers without hours of manual searching.
• Comprehensive Knowledge: Access exclusive IACP member-only resources alongside public materials.
• Transparency: Every response includes source citations for confidence and accountability.
• Multi-Language Support: Communicate and retrieve information in multiple languages, supporting global policing needs.

CRIS is not just about convenience. It is about empowering users to make informed decisions faster, improving agency efficiency and service to the community.

How CRIS Supports Your Work

Imagine preparing for a meeting on cybercrime trends. Instead of combing through multiple reports, an officer can ask CRIS: “What are the latest best practices for police cyber investigations?” Within seconds, CRIS provides a concise, evidence-based summary with links to relevant IACP resources.

Other practical uses include

• drafting policy updates aligned with national standards;
• identifying training curricula for personnel;
• accessing technical assistance materials for critical issues, such as law enforcement response to human trafficking or individuals with mental health conditions or intellectual and developmental disabilities; and
• supporting decision-making with evidence-based practices to ensure strategies and policies are grounded in research and proven approaches.

CRIS is more than a search engine—it is a strategic partner for police.

A Commitment to Innovation

CRIS reflects the IACP’s ongoing commitment to innovation and member support. By leveraging artificial intelligence responsibly, the association is ensuring that police professionals have the tools they need to lead effectively in a rapidly changing world.

This new application is part of a broader strategy to integrate technology that enhances efficiency, accessibility, and informed decision-making across the profession. The IACP continues to invest in solutions that simplify complex processes, reduce information gaps, and strengthen the connection between research and practice. CRIS represents a forward-thinking approach to supporting agencies and individuals as they navigate the evolving landscape of policing.

Knowledge is power—and with CRIS, that power is just a question away. Visit www.theIACP.org/ask-cris and experience how this new tool can transform the way our members can access information.d

Please cite as:

Hilary Burgess, “Introducing CRIS,” IACP@Work, Police Chief 93, no. 3 (March 2026): 64–65.