Law enforcement information is scattered across federal agencies, professional associations, training providers, nonprofit organizations and public safety programs.
This page brings many of those resources together in one place.
The directory is designed for law enforcement officers, police departments, deputies, supervisors, trainers, public safety professionals, families and members of the public looking for reliable information about policing.
Some resources are open to everyone. Others require agency affiliation, verified law enforcement status, membership or program eligibility.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Important: 1096 Tactical is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organizations listed below unless specifically stated otherwise. Links are provided as a public reference resource. Program requirements, access restrictions and eligibility rules may change.
Federal Law Enforcement Resources
Federal agencies maintain some of the most extensive law enforcement training, research and operational resources available in the United States.
FBI Resources for Law Enforcement
Best for: Officers, investigators, agencies and law enforcement administrators
The FBI’s law enforcement portal provides access to training, criminal justice information programs, investigative tools and federal resources. It also serves as a gateway to systems including CJIS, N-DEx and other FBI services used by law enforcement.
FBI Criminal Justice Information Services
Best for: Agencies, analysts and criminal justice professionals
The FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division supports several major information systems used across American law enforcement. Resources include criminal history information, crime statistics, identity services and information-sharing programs.
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program
Best for: Agencies, analysts, researchers and members of the public
The FBI Uniform Crime Reporting program provides national crime data and reporting resources, including the National Incident-Based Reporting System, commonly known as NIBRS.
The program also includes Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted data and other statistics useful for examining crime and officer safety trends.
DOJ COPS Office
Best for: Police departments, sheriffs’ offices, supervisors and administrators
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services provides grants, research, technical assistance, publications and training for state, local, tribal and territorial law enforcement agencies.
COPS Office Officer Safety and Wellness
Best for: Officers, supervisors and agency wellness programs
This resource library focuses on physical safety, mental health, resilience, suicide prevention and other issues affecting officer wellness.
National Officer Safety and Wellness Group
Best for: Law enforcement leaders and agency wellness programs
The National Officer Safety and Wellness Group brings together law enforcement professionals, researchers and subject matter experts to develop recommendations addressing officer health and safety.
COPS Office Grants
Best for: Police agencies and grant administrators
Law enforcement agencies can use this page to locate current COPS Office funding opportunities, application information and grant guidance.
CRI-TAC Technical Assistance
Best for: Law enforcement agencies seeking training or technical assistance
The Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center provides customized training and technical assistance to eligible law enforcement agencies.
Support may include leadership development, policy review, community engagement, organizational assessment and other operational issues.
BJA VALOR Officer Safety and Wellness Initiative
Best for: Officers, trainers and agencies
The Bureau of Justice Assistance’s VALOR Initiative provides officer safety, resilience and wellness training.
Topics include situational awareness, roadway safety, suicide prevention, physical health and officer survival.
VALOR Officer Safety Resources
Best for: Officers and law enforcement trainers
VALOR maintains training materials, educational resources, posters, toolkits and other officer safety information that agencies can incorporate into their training programs.
Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program
Best for: Law enforcement agencies purchasing body armor
The Bulletproof Vest Partnership helps qualifying law enforcement agencies offset the cost of purchasing eligible body armor.
Agencies considering armor purchases should review current program requirements before applying.
National Institute of Justice Officer Safety Resources
Best for: Officers, trainers, agencies and researchers
The National Institute of Justice publishes research covering officer safety, fatigue, equipment, physical performance, vehicle operations and other occupational risks.
NIJ Body Armor Standards and Compliance Testing
Best for: Officers, agencies and equipment procurement personnel
The NIJ develops performance standards for law enforcement body armor and provides information about testing and compliance.
This is an especially useful resource for agencies or officers comparing ballistic protection rather than relying only on manufacturer marketing claims.
Office of Justice Programs Law Enforcement Resources
Best for: Agencies, researchers and criminal justice professionals
The Office of Justice Programs provides research, grants, publications, training information and technical assistance covering a wide range of law enforcement topics.
Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers
Best for: Federal officers and law enforcement training professionals
FLETC provides training to federal law enforcement personnel and partner organizations.
Its public resources also include legal training materials and professional information useful to the broader law enforcement community.
FLETC Legal Learning Resources
Best for: Officers and instructors looking for legal reference material
FLETC publishes law enforcement legal training resources covering constitutional law, criminal procedure and other subjects officers regularly encounter.
Police Training, Policy and Professional Organizations
Professional law enforcement organizations can provide training, policy guidance, networking, research and continuing education that may not be available through individual agencies.
International Association of Chiefs of Police
Best for: Chiefs, command staff, supervisors and law enforcement professionals
The IACP is one of the largest professional law enforcement organizations in the world.
It publishes research, model policies, training materials and guidance covering leadership, investigations, technology, officer wellness and community relations.
IACP Training and Education
Best for: Officers, supervisors and police executives
The IACP provides professional development and training covering a wide range of operational and leadership subjects.
IACP Officer Safety and Wellness
Best for: Officers and agency wellness programs
This section includes resources addressing physical health, psychological wellness, resilience, suicide prevention, injury prevention and other occupational issues.
IACP Resource Library
Best for: Law enforcement leaders, trainers and policy developers
The IACP’s resource library contains publications, guides, reports and training material covering many areas of modern policing.
National Tactical Officers Association
Best for: SWAT officers, tactical teams, commanders and trainers
The National Tactical Officers Association provides training and professional resources for SWAT, crisis negotiation, tactical emergency response and other specialized law enforcement operations.
NTOA Resources
Best for: Tactical officers and team leaders
The NTOA resource section includes standards, position statements, tactical publications and other material relevant to specialized police operations.
Police Executive Research Forum
Best for: Chiefs, commanders, researchers and policy professionals
PERF conducts policing research and publishes reports examining critical incidents, use of force, technology, leadership, staffing, training and emerging challenges facing police agencies.
National Policing Institute
Best for: Agencies, researchers and evidence-based policing programs
The National Policing Institute conducts research designed to improve police practices and public safety.
Its work covers officer safety, organizational performance, crime reduction, technology and community trust.
National Sheriffs’ Association
Best for: Sheriffs, deputies, corrections personnel and law enforcement professionals
The National Sheriffs’ Association supports sheriffs’ offices through training, advocacy, research and professional programs.
National Sheriffs’ Association Programs
Best for: Sheriffs’ offices and agency trainers
NSA programs cover officer safety, crime prevention, technical assistance, defensive tactics and other issues affecting sheriff’s offices.
International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training
Best for: Police instructors, academy personnel and training managers
IADLEST works with state POST organizations and law enforcement training agencies to improve professional standards and training quality.
IADLEST National Certified Training Catalog
Best for: Officers searching for professional training
The National Certification Program catalog allows officers and agencies to search for law enforcement courses that have gone through IADLEST’s certification process.
Officer Safety and Lessons Learned
Officer safety is not limited to equipment.
Training, decision-making, lessons learned and the willingness to study close calls can prevent injuries and line-of-duty deaths.
LEO Near Miss
Best for: Law enforcement officers and trainers
LEO Near Miss allows officers to anonymously share incidents in which an officer could have been seriously injured or killed but escaped the event without catastrophic consequences.
The goal is simple: allow other officers to learn from incidents before the same circumstances produce a fatal outcome.
LEO Near Miss Officer Safety Resources
Best for: Trainers and agencies
The site provides training materials and educational resources agencies can use when discussing officer safety, risk management and lessons learned from near-miss events.
Below 100
Best for: Patrol officers, supervisors and trainers
Below 100 is an officer safety initiative focused on reducing preventable line-of-duty deaths.
The program emphasizes several recurring causes of officer fatalities and injuries, including seat belt use, body armor, speed, situational awareness and complacency.
Below 100 Training
Best for: Officers and agencies seeking structured safety training
The program offers courses built around practical officer survival principles and preventable causes of line-of-duty deaths.
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Officer Safety and Wellness
Best for: Officers, supervisors and trainers
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund maintains officer safety and wellness programs addressing tactical safety, physical health, mental wellness and roadway incidents.
NLEOMF Tactical Safety Resources
Best for: Patrol officers, tactical officers and agency trainers
These resources focus on operational hazards including ballistic protection, scene safety, equipment and medical preparedness.
Officer Wellness, Support and Family Resources
Police work can affect officers long after a shift ends.
Mental health, trauma exposure, family stress and line-of-duty incidents can create problems that require specialized resources familiar with the realities of law enforcement.
COPLINE
Best for: Current and former law enforcement officers
COPLINE provides confidential peer support to law enforcement officers.
Its hotline is staffed by retired law enforcement officers who understand many of the personal and professional pressures associated with police work.
Concerns of Police Survivors
Best for: Families, coworkers and agencies affected by line-of-duty deaths
Concerns of Police Survivors, commonly known as C.O.P.S., provides peer support, counseling resources and programs for surviving families and coworkers following a line-of-duty death.
C.O.P.S. Resources for Law Enforcement
Best for: Agencies and officers responding to line-of-duty deaths
This section provides resources designed to help departments support coworkers, surviving families and agency personnel following a fatal incident.
C.O.P.S. Survivor Resources
Best for: Surviving family members and coworkers
Programs include peer support, counseling-related resources, retreats, scholarships and other services for eligible survivors.
Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program
Best for: Public safety officers and surviving families
The federal Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program provides death, disability and education benefits to eligible public safety officers and their families.
Eligibility requirements apply.
Officer Down Memorial Page
Best for: Officers, historians and members of the public
The Officer Down Memorial Page maintains a large database documenting law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty.
The site includes historical records, officer biographies and circumstances surrounding many line-of-duty deaths.
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
Best for: Law enforcement families, agencies and the public
NLEOMF maintains the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and publishes research on officer fatalities and safety trends.
Fraternal Order of Police
Best for: Eligible law enforcement officers and FOP members
The Fraternal Order of Police is a national membership organization representing law enforcement officers.
Programs include member services, labor representation, advocacy and professional resources.
FOP Legal Defense Plan
Best for: Eligible FOP members
The FOP Legal Defense Plan provides qualifying members with legal coverage for certain duty-related criminal, civil and administrative matters.
Membership and plan requirements apply.
Missing Persons and Child Protection Resources
Missing-person and child exploitation investigations frequently involve cooperation between local police, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations and the public.
The following resources can help officers and families locate the appropriate assistance.
National Missing and Unidentified Persons System
Best for: Investigators, medical examiners, families and the public
NamUs is a national information clearinghouse for missing, unidentified and unclaimed persons cases.
Law enforcement agencies can use NamUs investigative and forensic resources, while members of the public can search portions of the database.
NamUs Information and Services
Best for: Investigators and families unfamiliar with NamUs
This section explains how the system works and what services are available to criminal justice professionals and families.
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Best for: Families, law enforcement officers and child protection professionals
NCMEC provides assistance involving missing children, child sexual exploitation, online threats and related cases.
The organization works closely with law enforcement agencies across the United States.
NCMEC Case Resources for Law Enforcement
Best for: Investigators
NCMEC provides law enforcement agencies with analytical assistance, case management support, forensic resources and specialized services for missing and exploited child investigations.
NCMEC Professional Training
Best for: Law enforcement officers, dispatchers and child protection professionals
Training covers missing children, child exploitation, online offenses and investigative techniques.
NCMEC Publications
Best for: Investigators and trainers
The publication library includes investigative guides, checklists, research and educational material involving missing and exploited children.
NCMEC CyberTipline
Best for: Members of the public and electronic service providers
The CyberTipline is a centralized reporting system for suspected online child sexual exploitation.
Reports may be reviewed and forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agencies when warranted.
What to Do If Your Child Is Missing
Best for: Parents and guardians
NCMEC provides immediate steps families can take when a child disappears, including contacting law enforcement and gathering information investigators may need.
Citizen Resources and Frequently Asked Questions About Law Enforcement
Many people only look for law enforcement information after something has already happened.
They may have been stopped by police, need to report an emergency, want a copy of a government record or need to know where to report possible misconduct.
These resources can help members of the public find reliable answers.
911.gov
Best for: Anyone seeking information about the 911 system
911.gov provides information about emergency communications, Next Generation 911 and how emergency calling systems operate in the United States.
911 Frequently Asked Questions
Best for: Citizens with questions about calling 911
The FAQ addresses common questions including when to call 911, what information dispatchers may request and how emergency calls are handled.
ACLU Know Your Rights: Stopped by Police
Best for: Members of the public seeking civil liberties information
This guide explains the ACLU’s interpretation of individual rights and recommended actions during encounters with police.
Readers should understand that laws and procedures can vary by jurisdiction.
U.S. Department of Justice Police Misconduct Information
Best for: Citizens researching federal police misconduct laws
The Department of Justice explains federal laws that may apply to certain allegations of police misconduct and describes the role of federal civil rights authorities.
DOJ Civil Rights Reporting Portal
Best for: People reporting possible federal civil rights violations
The Department of Justice provides an online portal for reporting possible civil rights violations.
The appropriate response may depend on whether the matter involves local, state or federal law.
FOIA.gov
Best for: Anyone requesting federal government records
FOIA.gov explains the federal Freedom of Information Act and helps users identify the federal agency that may possess records they are seeking.
How to Make a Federal FOIA Request
Best for: Citizens unfamiliar with public records requests
This guide explains how to identify the appropriate federal agency and submit a Freedom of Information Act request.
State and local police records are generally governed by state or local public records laws rather than the federal FOIA.
FBI Identity History Summary Checks
Best for: Individuals requesting their own FBI criminal history information
An FBI Identity History Summary contains information associated with fingerprints submitted to the FBI.
Individuals can request their own record and may have options for challenging inaccurate information.
NamUs Missing Persons Database
Best for: Families and members of the public researching missing-person cases
NamUs allows public access to portions of its national missing and unidentified persons database.
Families should still report missing persons directly to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
NCMEC Get Help Now
Best for: Families dealing with a missing or exploited child
NCMEC provides immediate resources for missing children, online exploitation and other child safety emergencies.
NCMEC CyberTipline
Best for: Reporting suspected online child exploitation
Members of the public can use the CyberTipline to report suspected child sexual exploitation, online enticement and related offenses.
Law Enforcement Equipment and Body Armor Resources
Law enforcement equipment can directly affect officer safety, mobility and performance.
When researching protective equipment, official testing standards and agency guidance are generally more useful than marketing claims alone.
NIJ Body Armor Information
Best for: Officers, agencies and equipment buyers
The National Institute of Justice publishes information about ballistic-resistant and stab-resistant body armor, testing standards and law enforcement equipment research.
NIJ Body Armor Compliance Testing
Best for: Agencies evaluating armor
This is an important starting point for understanding how law enforcement body armor is tested against NIJ performance standards.
NIJ Criminal Justice Testing and Evaluation Consortium
Best for: Agencies and equipment decision-makers
The Criminal Justice Testing and Evaluation Consortium supports law enforcement agencies by evaluating technologies and providing research that can help inform equipment decisions.
National Institute of Standards and Technology Public Safety Communications Research
Best for: Agencies interested in communications and public safety technology
NIST’s Public Safety Communications Research program studies technology used by first responders, including communications systems, broadband, location technologies and emerging public safety tools.
Grants, Funding and Agency Assistance
Equipment, training and staffing can become expensive quickly.
Federal programs may help eligible agencies pay for personnel, body armor, technology, training and other public safety initiatives.
COPS Office Funding Opportunities
Best for: Police departments and grant managers
The COPS Office administers several federal law enforcement funding programs.
Agencies should review current funding cycles and eligibility requirements before preparing an application.
Bureau of Justice Assistance Funding
Best for: State, local and tribal criminal justice agencies
BJA funds programs involving law enforcement, officer safety, technology, crime reduction and criminal justice operations.
Office of Justice Programs Funding
Best for: Agencies and public safety organizations
OJP maintains information about federal criminal justice grants, funding opportunities and application procedures.
Grants.gov
Best for: Agencies searching across federal grant programs
Grants.gov is the federal government’s central portal for many grant opportunities.
Police departments and other public safety organizations can search for programs across multiple federal agencies.
Finding the Right Law Enforcement Resource
Not every resource on this page applies to every situation.
A patrol officer looking for tactical training has different needs than a police chief researching grants. A family dealing with a missing child needs a completely different type of assistance.
A good starting point is to identify the problem first.
If you are an officer or agency looking for professional training, begin with organizations such as IACP, NTOA, IADLEST, VALOR or FLETC.
For officer safety and lessons learned, resources such as LEO Near Miss, Below 100 and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund provide useful material.
For body armor and protective equipment questions, the National Institute of Justice should be one of the first stops.
Officers or families dealing with stress, trauma or a line-of-duty death can turn to organizations such as COPLINE and Concerns of Police Survivors.
Members of the public looking for answers about emergency calls, federal records, missing persons or civil rights can use the citizen resources listed above.
The goal of this directory is not to replace those organizations.
It is to make them easier to find.
Help Us Keep This Law Enforcement Resource Directory Current
Law enforcement programs change.
Websites move. Training programs are updated. Federal grant cycles open and close. Organizations sometimes change eligibility requirements or discontinue services.
If you represent a legitimate law enforcement agency, nonprofit organization, officer support program, training organization or public safety resource that belongs on this page, contact 1096 Tactical with the details.
We also welcome corrections if one of the resources listed above has changed or moved.
Keeping the information current makes this page more useful for officers, agencies and the public alike.