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Using the Model Policy in Your Community

Reforming public safety policies presents challenges, regardless of your role—be it community member, advocate, local elected official, or police chief. But, the Model Policy’s modules underscore a crucial point: police department policies regulating use of force are fundamental to safe, fair, and effective law enforcement. They are the first step in a continual cycle progressing through training, implementation, and accountability that can improve a community’s policing.


The process of reform typically begins with advocates—either within or outside a police department—proposing policy changes. Then, key stakeholders—including the police department, police unions, municipal lawyers, and ideally, community members—evaluate these proposals. By leveraging the Model Policy’s resources, you can:

- Redefine the standards governing when officers may use force

- Reinforce the role and primacy of de-escalation techniques in police practices

- Restrict vehicle pursuits to situations where public safety benefits outweigh risks

- Reframe deadly force as a true last resort option

These are just a few examples of the impactful changes your community can make using the Model Policy. The Model Policy offers ready-to-implement, detailed language across its modules. These provisions are designed to align with federal laws and court decisions and to meet or surpass constitutional requirements. Adopting the provisions in the Model Policy can help a police department demonstrate compliance with federal standards for effective policies, potentially reducing liability related to use of force.