National Policing Institute

08/24/2026

Command staff don't need more information. They need the right synthesis at the right time.

NPI's monthly InFocus briefing answers a specific question in each issue: what does the current evidence actually mean for the decisions in front of you?

Recent issues have covered officer fatigue, de-escalation implementation, and technology investment outcomes.

Subscribe: https://hubs.li/Q04v02Jc0

08/13/2026

Speed decisions in the field can save lives—or cost them. Join us for a cost-free training presented by the National Law Enforcement Roadway Safety (NLERS) Program with the VALOR Officer Safety and Wellness Program. This session examines pursuit decision-making and how officers can weigh risk before accelerating.

This virtual training wraps with a live Q&A, so bring your questions directly to the speakers. It will not be recorded — this is your one chance to catch it live.

📅 Sept. 3 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ET | Cost-free
Register now: https://hubs.li/Q04sZ4g_0

08/11/2026

Is your agency truly prepared for artificial intelligence?

NPI’s latest report, supported by Microsoft, reveals a growing gap in public safety. While 83% of departments represented in our research have deployed AI tools, 44% have provided no formal AI training to their staff.

Deploying technology without clear policy and workforce preparation exposes agencies to significant operational and legal risks. Our report delivers a practical five-dimension framework to help command staff establish proper governance, guardrails, and training. 💻

Access the report to guide your agency's strategy: AI Adoption in Law Enforcement | Are You Prepared? | NPI (https://hubs.li/Q04sGddH0)

08/10/2026

Thank you Lexipol for talking about this critical issue that impacts all public safety -law enforcement, fire and rescue, EMS, corrections, and dispatch. Chronic understaffing and burnout create a “compounding cycle” in which organizational stress drives people out, and each departure deepens the understaffing that caused it.

NPI will continue to work with agencies on data-driven staffing studies that use agency’s actual call volumes, response times, and workload data to provide tailored recommendations for optimizing staffing levels.

First Responder Burnout and Retention: The Same Thing - Lexipol (https://hubs.li/Q04sp3T80)

How first responder burnout drives turnover and how agencies can improve retention through better schedules, leadership, and peer support.

08/07/2026

Developed in collaboration with NPI, the COPS Office just released the National Standards for Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training (LEDTA).
We were proud to be part of this work.

LEDTA directs the U.S. Department of Justice to develop, identify, and certify training curricula to help officers and covered mental health professionals safely respond to conflict and crisis situations. The 14 standards are the product of an in-depth review of research, field best practices, and extensive vetting by federal agency representatives and external stakeholders.

This is the kind of foundational work our field needs. We encourage every law enforcement agency and every public or private training entity to review these standards and align their curricula accordingly. Learn more at: https://hubs.li/Q04s8Sz-0

The Law Enforcement De-escalation Training Act of 2022 (LEDTA) directs the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to develop, identify, and certify training curricula that help law enforcement officers and covered mental health professionals safely respond to conflict or crisis situations. LEDTA reference...

08/05/2026

Last week at NOBLE's 50th Annual Training Conference, we had the honor of presenting Cedric L. Alexander, Psy.D., with the 2026 Hubert Williams Equal Justice and Effective Policing Award.

It was a full-circle moment worth pausing on: NOBLE was founded 50 years ago with NPI's support by Hubert Williams himself, a past NPI president. Presenting this award to Dr. Alexander, during NOBLE's milestone anniversary year, tied that history together in the room.

Dr. Alexander's more than 40 years in public safety, from Chief of Police in Rochester, NY, to his service on President Obama's Task Force on 21st Century Policing, reflect exactly what this award is meant to honor: a career spent advancing civil rights, strengthening community-law enforcement relationships, and holding the profession accountable to the people it serves.

Congratulations again, Dr. Alexander. Thank you for four decades of leadership that so many in this field have learned from.

The photo from left: Gregory Thomas, Jim Burch, Dr. Alexander, Elsie Scott

08/04/2026

Happy National Night Out! Drop a picture or share what your department is doing to connect with the community tonight. Sharing that information can help inspire other agencies with their community policing efforts.

07/30/2026

Community trust functions like an operational reserve. Agencies with strong, established relationships absorb critical incidents better than those without them.

The evidence points to sustained relationship-based engagement, procedural justice in daily contacts, and transparent communication as the practices that actually build that reserve.

National Night Out is next month. It's one visible touchpoint in what should be a year-round strategy.

07/29/2026

National Policing Institute Names Dr. Cedric L. Alexander the 2026 Recipient of the Hubert Williams Equal Justice and Effective Policing Award. The award, in partnership with NOBLE in celebration of their 50th anniversary, recognizes a 40-year law enforcement veteran and author for his career-long commitment to fairness, accountability, and community-oriented policing (https://hubs.ly/Q04r80Pf0)

NPI supports Madison Police in an independent review of the Abundant Life Christian School shooting response.

07/28/2026

Adding personnel isn't always the answer to operational pressure. Often, capacity is already there and hidden in inefficient workflows, redundant reporting, or misaligned deployment.

NPI's Efficiency Analysis applies proven Lean methodology to policing operations, giving command staff a clear roadmap for reclaiming hours without additional budget.

Learn more: https://hubs.li/Q04q9cCS0