NIJ LEADS Special Issue
Law Enforcement Advancing Data and Science
Enhancing Police Research Partnerships
A Path to Actionable Findings and Community Trust
Ten peer-reviewed research articles advancing evidence-based policing
About This Compendium of Articles
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) LEADS program supports research that strengthens the connection between science and practice in policing. This special issue features ten articles by NIJ LEADS scholars and affiliated researchers, with companion video presentations. Learn more about the NIJ LEADS program.
Research Articles
Ten peer-reviewed articles from the NIJ LEADS Special Issue, organized by theme. Articles marked with Video include companion presentations.
Research Partnerships
Enhancing Police Research Partnerships: A Path to Actionable Findings and Community Trust Video
This introductory article explores how the NIJ LEADS program strengthens partnerships between police agencies and researchers. La Vigne discusses the importance of practitioner-engaged research and how LEADS scholars bridge the gap between academic knowledge and operational practice.
Keywords: Evidence-based policing, police-researcher partnerships, NIJ LEADS, research translation
Pages: 1-3 | Read Full Article →
Officer Wellness & Support
Supporting Our Community: A Multi-Agency Police Peer Support Program Video
This article examines the development and implementation of a multi-agency peer support program designed to address officer mental health and wellness. The research demonstrates how structured peer support programs can improve officer well-being while addressing the unique challenges of law enforcement work.
Keywords: Peer support, officer wellness, mental health, multi-agency collaboration
Pages: 4-18 | Read Full Article →
Training & Development
Training to Needs or Checkboxes? An Evaluation of Critical Incident Response Training Video
This article critically examines how police training programs are developed and delivered, questioning whether agencies train to actual operational needs or simply fulfill compliance requirements. The research provides a framework for agencies to shift from checkbox compliance to meaningful skill development.
Keywords: Police training, training evaluation, needs assessment, evidence-based training
Pages: 19-35 | Read Full Article →
Communication & Crisis Response
Improving Communication Skills in Patrol Officers: A Training Study of Evidence-based Interviewing
This study argues for training patrol officers in evidence-based interviewing skills and describes the results of an evaluation of such a training program. Researchers trained frontline officers in evidence-based interviewing techniques and found improved knowledge in five different areas as well as positive perceptions of the training.
Keywords: Communication skills, rapport building, de-escalation, experimental design
Pages: 36-52 | Read Full Article →
The Aspirin of Crisis Negotiation: Judging the Use of Active Listening Skills (ALS) by Negotiators Video
This study examines expert perceptions of how well crisis negotiators use active listening skills (ALS) in practice. Using feedback from judges evaluating teams at an annual crisis negotiation competition, the researchers analyzed how frequently each ALS skill was used and what judges prioritized in their assessments.
Keywords: Crisis negotiation, rapport building, behavioral influence, active listening
Pages: 53-70 | Read Full Article →
Rehabilitation & Reentry
Workforce & Retention
Meeting Their Needs: Evaluating Agency-Specific Workplace Factors to Enhance Officer Retention Strategies Video
This case study develops a comprehensive evaluation of retention factors in a mid-size municipal police department. Using survey responses, the study evaluated officer perceptions of five workplace factor categories (External Job Opportunities, Compensation, Personal Characteristics, Organizational Issues, and Employee Needs) and found that Employee Needs significantly predicted retention intentions.
Keywords: Officer retention, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, workforce planning
Pages: 82-101 | Read Full Article →
The Long Game: Examining the Relationship between Recruit Characteristics and Early Attrition
Drawing on 20 years of administrative data from one mid-sized midwestern agency, this study explores how recruit characteristics, including professional history and demographics, relate to the likelihood of early attrition. The authors introduce a “break-even point” framework for evaluating recruitment effectiveness.
Keywords: Recruit selection, attrition, psychological assessment, predictive validity
Pages: 102-122 | Read Full Article →
Research Translation & Implementation
From Academia to Action: How Police Leaders Translate Evidence on the Ground Video
This article documents the Salt Lake City Police Department’s evidence-based crime reduction program, implemented beginning in 2022 in response to rising violent crime and personnel shortages. The initiative combined stratified policing with hotspot policing in collaboration with academic criminologists, and by 2023 the city recorded its lowest crime levels in 15 years.
Keywords: Research translation, evidence-based policing, knowledge mobilization, actionable research
Pages: 123-139 | Read Full Article →
From Research to Reality: Leveraging Implementation Science to Advance Evidence-Based Policing
This article introduces implementation science and proposes a blueprint for advancing evidence-based policing grounded in five core principles: commitment, concordance, co-production, capacity, and culture. Drawing on the LEADS scholars’ studies in this volume, Herold offers practical guidance for police leaders seeking to sustain effective interventions.
Keywords: Implementation science, program fidelity, scaling, organizational change, sustainability
Pages: 140-151 | Read Full Article →
Additional Resources
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About the National Policing Institute
The National Policing Institute advances excellence in policing through science and innovation. We generate research, share knowledge, and deliver evidence-based solutions to enhance public safety and community trust in law enforcement.
How to Cite
Full Collection: Iwama, J., & Hill, S. (Eds.). (2026). Enhancing police research partnerships: A path to actionable findings and community trust (NIJ LEADS Special Issue). National Policing Institute.
Individual Articles: La Vigne, N. (2026). Enhancing police research partnerships: A path to actionable findings and community trust. In J. Iwama & S. Hill (Eds.), Enhancing police research partnerships: A path to actionable findings and community trust (pp. 1–3). National Policing Institute.
Copyright
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