An innovative, evidence-based approach to use-of-force training, ICAT provides first responding police officers with the tools, skills, and options they need to defuse a range of critical incidents successfully and safely. ICAT was developed by PERF with input from hundreds of law enforcement professionals nationwide. It is currently being …

Publications PERF produces publications that summarize its research findings and development of policy guidance and best practices. PERF reports are available free of charge in our Online Library. PERF's podcast, PERFcast, is available on our podcasts page and through all major podcast services. PERF's 2024 webinar series, Supporting Officer Wellness: Examples from the Field, is available here ...

ICAT Training Guide Materials PERF is in the process of finalizing the content for these six modules, based on feedback received during the pilot testing of the Training Guide. In the near future, specific lesson plans, Power Point presentations, videos, scenario-based training scripts and other resources will be posted on this website. The ICAT Training Guide is …

2023 PERF Annual Meeting

2024 National ICAT Conference

About PERF Staff Directory / Board of Directors / Research Advisory Board The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) is an independent research organization that focuses on critical issues in policing. Since its founding in 1976, PERF has identified best practices on fundamental issues such as reducing police use of force; developing community policing and problem-oriented policing; using ...

April 27, 2024 New PERF survey shows police agencies have turned a corner with staffing challenges Last year, PERF asked its members to share information about their agencies’ staffing numbers in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. This year, we updated that survey to include staffing information about 2023. The findings, available below, are encouraging. For the first time since the start of the ...

ICAT: Integrating Communications, Assessment, and Tactics ICAT is a new way of thinking about use-of-force training for American police officers. ICAT takes the essential building blocks of critical thinking, crisis intervention, communications, and tactics, and puts them together in an integrated approach to training. ICAT is anchored by a …

Career Opportunities PERF provides two services for advertising job postings. PERF can post your position announcement on our website for a fee of $50. PERF also can send an e-mail with your position announcement to our distribution list of more than 3,000 police executives and others in policing-related professions, for a fee of $500. Sydney Eischens can help with both of these options, and ...

In partnership with the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), I am pleased to present the 2011 Electronic Control Weapon Guidelines—the result of a national survey that examined the use of ECWs, specifically what policies, practices, and training were being employed in the field. The knowledge gained from this research helped frame the discussions that took place during a two-day meeting ...