24 on 2024: A police leadership playbook

Every year, Police1 gathers insights from the brightest minds and most experienced experts in the law enforcement community to address the challenges facing police leaders and patrol officers. These insights are brought together to create “24 on 2024: A police leadership playbook.”

This playbook is more than a report; it’s a strategic road map designed to equip law enforcement leaders with the knowledge and guidance they need to successfully navigate the ever-evolving landscape of their profession. It analyzes ongoing issues, anticipates emerging ones and proposes effective solutions to ensure the safety of our communities.

To download the playbook, complete the Get Access to this Police1 Resource box on this page.

Topics and contributors featured in “24 on 2024: A police leadership playbook”

• Accreditation: Chief Michael Lee emphasizes the positive impacts of police accreditation, including public validation, increased officer confidence, and enhanced efficiency in operations. He advocates for the accreditation process as a means to elevate professionalism in policing.
• Artificial intelligence: Matt Shear discusses the implications of AI in law enforcement, highlighting challenges such as cyberattacks, frauds, scams, and disinformation. He stresses the need for officers to be aware of AI-related threats and to adapt accordingly.

• Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management: Dr. Jack Rozel explains BTAM as a proactive approach to prevent violence. He emphasizes the integration of law enforcement with behavioral health professionals and community partners in identifying and diverting potential threats.
• Counterterrorism: Lt. Colonel Joseph Brennan describes the New Jersey State Police’s counterterrorism efforts, focusing on technology like Automated License Plate Recognition and the importance of information sharing and partnerships in preventing terrorism.
• Crisis response: Dr. Cherylynn Lee addresses the increasing role of law enforcement in responding to mental health crises, advocating for partnerships with mental health agencies and community education to improve responses and outcomes.
• Cybersecurity: Morgan Wright discusses cybersecurity challenges in law enforcement, suggesting strategies like hardening targets, continuous awareness, and pushing for modernization to defend against cyber threats.
• De-escalation: Deputy Chief Paul L. Humphrey talks about the importance of mindset, knowledge, and skill in police training, especially in de-escalation techniques to improve officer decision-making in tense situations.

• Family support: Dr. Rachelle Zemlok, PsyD, highlights strategies for supporting law enforcement families, including providing mental health resources, hosting family events, and improving communication.
• Fleet management: Robert Martinez focuses on the transition to electric vehicles in police fleet management, discussing charging infrastructure and the importance of pilot programs in adapting to new technologies.
• Hate crimes: Paul Goldenberg discusses the challenges in addressing and training for hate crimes, emphasizing the need for updated training and community engagement to effectively combat hate crimes.
• Human trafficking: Captain Larry Kraus stresses the importance of sophisticated intelligence and victim advocacy in human trafficking investigations, highlighting the role of intelligence analysts and integrating survivor experiences.
• Narcotics intervention: Dick Meadows explains the two-pronged approach of Operation BRIDGE in addressing drug problems, combining law enforcement action against traffickers with outreach to those with substance use disorder.

• One-by-One Policing: Chief Jack Cauley advocates for a cultural shift in policing through the One-By-One Policing philosophy, emphasizing individual-focused service, safe environments, and supporting personnel to thrive.
• Operational strategy: Chief Maris Herold describes the “Stratified Policing” model as a problem-solving approach to reduce crime and enhance police-community relations.
• Peer support: Dr. Jaime Brower details the elements of a successful peer support program in public safety, including comprehensive policy, ethics, training, and clinical support.
• Police recruitment: Marvin Haiman discusses changing dynamics in police recruitment, stressing the need for a modern approach to attract diverse and skilled candidates.
• Police retention: Terry Cherry highlights the importance of retention in law enforcement, advocating for strategies that address organizational justice, leadership development, and promotional transparency.
• Police training: Monica Alexander emphasizes communication and de-escalation in police training, aiming to reduce injuries and fatalities in police-community interactions.
• Pre-academy training: Sergeant Daniel Baek describes the benefits of a pre-academy program for police recruits, focusing on preparation and reducing dropout rates.
• Real Time Crime Centers: The National Real Time Crime Center Association discusses the role of Real-Time Crime Centers in modern law enforcement, highlighting development, innovation, collaboration, and education.

• Research: Robin S. Engel, Ph.D., explores trends in policing research, focusing on collaboration, training infusion, evaluation of core areas, implementation challenges, and disseminating findings.
• School Resource Officers: Joseph Wright, CTM, addresses the role of school resource officers, advocating for joint training with administrators, transparency in discipline data, and fighting the school-to-prison pipeline.
• Violent crime reduction: Lt. Matthew Barter discusses strategies for violent crime reduction, emphasizing data-driven approaches, problem-solving models, and community-specific interventions.
• Women in law enforcement: Chief Carrie Ellis highlights the need for inclusivity and mentorship to support and advance women in policing, advocating for role models and specialized programs to attract more women to the profession.