Today, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) released Citation in Lieu of Arrest: Examining Law Enforcement's Use of Citation Across the United States — a comprehensive report documenting law enforcement's current use of citation in lieu of arrest.
Supported by the Laura and John Arnold Foundation, research was conducted to provide the law enforcement community and other criminal justice stakeholders with a reference point for information about citation practices around the United States. This was accomplished by examining 40 years of academic literature on the topic of citation use; conducting a nationwide survey of law enforcement agencies on their practices and perspectives on citation; and conducting a series of focus groups with diverse law enforcement professionals.
While calls to increase citation use may seem like a change in practices, research found that 87% of law enforcement agencies use citation, with almost 81% of those agencies using the practice for 10 or more years. This data is significant in showing that the law enforcement profession has long supported alternatives to arrest, but also highlights the need to know if and when citation in lieu of arrest works best and how best to implement citation policies to achieve these outcomes.
With community-police relations in the spotlight and key policy groups recommending the increased use of citation, this report highlights the importance of studying the use and impact of citation policy, measuring its effectiveness in maximizing public safety and minimizing recidivism, weighing the costs and benefits, and examining officer safety issues before recommending changes in citation procedures or increase in citation use.
To view a copy of the report, visit www.theiacp.org/citation.
About the International Association of Chiefs of Police
The International Association of Chiefs of Police is the world's largest association of law enforcement executives with over 26,000 members in more than 130 countries. The IACP addresses cutting edge issues confronting law enforcement through advocacy, programs, and research, as well as training and other professional services.
