The National Law Enforcement Knowledge Lab is a trusted resource for law enforcement and the communities they serve. The Knowledge Lab strives to bring evidence and excellence to law enforcement agencies across the country.
Project Overview
In 2022, the Department of Justice established the National Law Enforcement Knowledge Lab (Knowledge Lab), a first-of-its-kind resource hub that identifies and disseminates effective and innovative policing practices, training, and technical assistance. Any community may engage with the Knowledge Lab to access information and expert assistance about implementing law enforcement approaches that reduce crime and strengthen public trust.
The Knowledge Lab collaborates with stakeholder organizations, researchers, and agencies to leverage and share resources and guidance already developed within these professional networks in an effort to collect and make available the many ideas and innovations that could help agencies seeking to improve their ability to protect and serve their communities.
Methodology
The ultimate role of the Knowledge Lab is to assist the field in discerning which programs and approaches have been effective and how they may best be implemented in other communities across the country. Through various tools, resources, and direct technical assistance, the Knowledge Lab assists agencies in determining how to enhance efforts to meet their goals.
The Knowledge Lab is committed to providing guidance, consultation, advice, and assistance to agencies, departments, and partner organizations in order to work together to protect the public while also preventing crime. The Knowledge Lab assists law enforcement in assessing their practices, policies, training, and outcomes and works to identify and fill gaps in those areas.
The Knowledge Lab will develop a Knowledge and Innovation Site network of agencies doing exemplary work in one or more defined core areas. The Knowledge Lab will facilitate peer-to-peer learning opportunities for agencies seeking guidance and support in implementing initiatives that strengthen policies and practices in the following areas:
- Community trust and partnerships
- Crime and violence reduction
- Crime investigations
- Mass critical incident response
- Mass demonstration response
- Mental health and crisis response
- Officer safety and wellness
- Public transparency
- Recruitment and retention
- Stops, searches, and arrests
- Training and education
- Use of force
Results
The overall goals of the Knowledge Lab include:
- Establish law enforcement agencies on the cutting edge of progress within the core practice areas to serve as Knowledge and Innovation Sites for other law enforcement agencies across the nation.
- Improve law enforcement practices within the core practice areas through peer-to-peer learning and technical assistance.
- Promote the understanding and implementation of innovative and effective practices within the core practice areas nationally through a robust resource hub.
- Promote the Knowledge Lab’s work and provide opportunities to law enforcement nationally.
Project Resources
Access the Knowledge Lab at Leknowledgelab.org
Project Publications
Strategic Priority Area(s)
Service Area(s)
Topic Area(s)
Staff Contact(s)
Media Contact
Media inquiries should be directed to our Communications team at:
media@policinginstitute.org
202-833-1460
Share
More Information
Project Status: Active
Project Period: October 2022 -
Location(s): National
Research Design: Quasi-experiment, Non-experimental, Review of research
Research Method(s): Case study, Focus groups, Interviews, Observation / Participant observation, Surveys, Secondary data analysis, Literature review
Strategic Priority Area(s)
Service Area(s)
Topic Area(s)
Staff Contact(s)
Media Contact
Media inquiries should be directed to our Communications team at:
media@policinginstitute.org
202-833-1460
Share