Video Presentations
LEADS scholars discuss their research findings
Watch researchers present their findings and discuss implications for practice. Each video corresponds to a research article in the special issue.
Research Partnerships
Nancy La Vigne - Introduction to the NIJ LEADS Special Issue
Dr. La Vigne introduces the NIJ LEADS program and discusses how it strengthens partnerships between police agencies and researchers. This presentation sets the context for the special issue and highlights the importance of practitioner-engaged research in advancing evidence-based policing.
Related Article: Enhancing Police Research Partnerships (Pages 1-3)
Officer Wellness & Support
Captain William Walsh - Building Multi-Agency Peer Support Networks
Captain Walsh discusses the research methodology and key findings from a multi-agency peer support study. He explores how cross-agency collaboration can reduce stigma around mental health and improve officer wellness through structured peer support programs.
Related Article: Supporting Our Community: Multi-Agency Peer Support (Pages 4-18)
Janice Iwama - Implementation Lessons from Peer Support Programs
Janice Iwama shares practical insights on implementing peer support programs in law enforcement agencies. Her presentation addresses common implementation challenges and strategies for building sustainable peer support networks that officers actually use.
Related Article: Supporting Our Community: Multi-Agency Peer Support (Pages 4-18)
Training & Development
Jennifer Hall - Rethinking Police Training: From Compliance to Competence
Dr. Hall presents findings on training effectiveness and discusses practical strategies for needs-based training design. She challenges the “checkbox” approach to training compliance and offers evidence-based alternatives that focus on developing actual officer competencies.
Related Article: Training to Needs or Checkboxes (Pages 19-35)
Communication & Crisis Response
Duwayne A. Poorboy - Rapport as a Tactical Tool in Crisis Situations
Duwayne A. Poorboy discusses research findings on crisis negotiation and demonstrates effective rapport-building techniques. He explains why rapport building is not just a “soft skill” but a tactical imperative that can save lives during high-stakes crisis negotiations.
Related Article: The Aspirin of Crisis Negotiation (Pages 53-70)
Rehabilitation & Reentry
David C. Miner - Understanding Criminal Identity and Pathways to Change
Dr. Miner discusses the psychological processes of criminal identity formation and strategies for supporting successful rehabilitation and reentry. He explores how social stigma can reinforce criminal identity and presents evidence-based approaches to helping individuals construct pro-social identities.
Related Article: Criminal Identity and Social Stigma (Pages 71-81)
Workforce & Retention
Ashleigh Wojslawowicz - Understanding and Improving Officer Retention
Dr. Wojslawowicz presents findings on the organizational factors that influence officer retention decisions. She identifies why officers stay with or leave their agencies and offers evidence-based strategies for reducing voluntary turnover through improved leadership, career development, and workplace culture.
Related Article: Meeting Their Needs: Understanding and Improving Officer Retention (Pages 82-101)
Recruitment & Retention
Lieutenant Kim Alan - Understanding Recruit Attrition and Selection
Lt. Alan presents longitudinal research findings on recruit characteristics and early career attrition patterns, discussing which selection criteria actually predict long-term retention and offering recommendations for improving recruitment and selection processes.
Related Article: The Long Game: Recruit Characteristics and Attrition (Pages 102-122)
Research Translation & Implementation
Scott Mourtgos - Bridging the Research-Practice Gap in Policing
Dr. Mourtgos discusses strategies for making research more accessible and actionable for law enforcement agencies. He introduces a framework for “actionable research” and explores how to overcome barriers that prevent research findings from influencing police practice.
Related Article: From Academia to Action (Pages 123-138)
Tamara D. Herold - Applying Implementation Science to Policing
Tamara D. Herold discusses implementation science frameworks and strategies for successfully deploying evidence-based practices in law enforcement agencies. She explains why simply knowing “what works” is insufficient and explores what it takes to implement and sustain effective practices.
Related Article: From Research to Reality: Implementation Science (Pages 139-155)