About the Project

Our Work

Policies regulating use of force are fundamental to safe, fair, and effective law enforcement. The Stanford Center for Racial Justice studies force regulations across America, develops model policies—including a 10-module Model Use of Force Policy—and implements evidence-based reforms, bringing research insights to front-line policing through innovative partnerships with police departments.

The Center for Racial Justice team collected more than 100 use of force policies from police departments throughout America, analyzing thousands of policy provisions to create a first-of-its-kind database: the Use of Force Policy Explorer. Drawing on policy best practices from around the country, as well as extensive research in public health, social sciences, and criminal justice, the Center set out to provide communities with a comprehensive model policy on use of force.

A diverse team—including former federal prosecutors, civil rights litigators, and ex-law enforcement officials experienced in crafting statewide policies—developed 10 detailed Policy Modules. These modules feature policy language and explanatory materials on relevant policy and legal issues, designed to help communities implement more effective use of force policies that enhance community safety while minimizing unnecessary force.

Research-based recommendations informed by diverse law enforcement perspectives and grounded in community experiences

The Model Use of Force Policy's recommendations are the result of a comprehensive approach that blends research insights, expert knowledge, and real-world experiences. The Center for Racial Justice combined its extensive research with input from many stakeholders, recognizing that effective policies must reflect perspectives from both law enforcement professionals and those most affected by policing. Dozens of contributors shared their expertise, including police leaders, experienced use of force trainers, canine unit specialists, and line patrol officers, who provided crucial feedback on policy provisions and their practical implementation.

This policing perspective was complemented by insights from government attorneys negotiating consent decrees, prosecutors handling excessive force cases, and senior officials overseeing law enforcement agencies, all of whom shared valuable input on setting effective standards and ensuring accountability.

Equally important were the perspectives gathered from community advocates, civil rights litigators, and independent police auditors. These voices highlighted critical policy areas and identified where previous reform efforts have fallen short. By integrating feedback from this broad spectrum of experts and stakeholders, the Center for Racial Justice refined each module of the Model Policy, making them more responsive to both policing realities and community experiences.

Our Team

George Brown, the former executive director of the Stanford Center for Racial Justice, and Dan Sutton, the Center’s Director of Justice and Safety, served as principal editors for the Model Use of Force Policy project.

Many lawyers from the firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, including Partners Marcellus McRae, Kahn Scolnick, Tiaunia Henry, Benjamin Wagner, Douglas Fuchs, Michael Farhang, Winston Chan, and Eric Vandevelde, Of Counsel Frances Waldmann, Associates Zathrina Perez, Megan Murphy, Alisa Balderas, Zak Baron, Hazel Chuang, Niki Aneja, Felisha Miles, Jordan Rose, Jonathan McKoy, Maryam Asenuga, Mudit Buch, Nathan Elyasi, Amanda Goetz, Kim Mejia, Clare Platt, Virinchi Sindhwani, Graham Stinnett, Raychel Teasdale, Stephanie Thackeray, and Jen Xue, and former Associates Tarana Riddick, Jacob Rierson, Peter Squeri, Reginald Glosson, Andrew Howard, and Nafees Syed contributed to the Model Use of Force Policy during the research and analysis process.

The Center for Racial Justice’s leadership and staff contributed significantly to the project, including Faculty Director Ralph Richard Banks and team members Hoang Pham, Oluwadamilola Animashaun, Andrew Baker, Riley Burton, Denise Chandler, Anna Chavez, Isabelle Rose Coloma, Fatima Dahir, Amira Dehmani, Mira Joseph, Masha Miura, Dionna Rangel, Caleb Robinson, Elias Rodriguez, Thomas Rozwadowski, Amanpreet Singh, and Ella Varney.