In a major announcement, the Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta unveiled a comprehensive guide for state and local law enforcement agencies aimed at ensuring the appropriateness, effectiveness, and accountability of specialized units. The publication, titled "Considerations for Specialized Units: A Guide for State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies to Ensure Appropriateness, Effectiveness, and Accountability," comes in response to growing public concerns over the use of specialized units in police agencies following the killing of Tyre Nichols.

The guide, a result of extensive consultations and engagements with law enforcement officials, civil rights organizations, and various stakeholders, was developed by the Department's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) and the National Policing Institute (NPI). It offers practical insights and actionable recommendations for law enforcement leaders, mayors, and community members to facilitate the formation, management, and oversight of specialized units.

Associate Attorney General Gupta emphasized the importance of the guide, saying, "After the tragic death of Tyre Nichols and public scrutiny of the SCORPION unit, we made it a priority at the Justice Department to develop a practical resource for law enforcement and community leaders assessing the use of specialized units in police agencies." She expressed hope that police chiefs, mayors, and community stakeholders would utilize the guide to evaluate the need for specialized units and, if implemented, promote transparency, oversight, accountability, and evaluation of such units.

The guide encompasses four main stages of specialized unit development, namely formation, personnel selection and supervision, management and accountability, and community engagement. It provides essential considerations for agencies during each stage, enabling them to define the unit's mission, hire suitable personnel and supervisors, establish performance metrics, and devise policies and practices to mitigate risks.

Director of the COPS Office, Hugh T. Clements, Jr., commended the guide, stating, "This guide is based on input from representatives from law enforcement, the community, academic institutions, and advocacy organizations across the country. I feel confident this guide will help both law enforcement and the communities they serve to demonstrate and uphold the principles of effective, constitutional policing."

The comprehensive publication is now available on the Department of Justice's official website at www.portal.cops.usdoj.gov/resourcecenter?item=cops-r1140. Its release follows the recent establishment of the Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center (CRI-TAC), which offers extensive technical assistance services for the law enforcement field.

With the launch of this guide, the Justice Department takes a significant step towards enhancing public trust and safety, aligning its efforts with the directives outlined in Executive Order 14074, aimed at advancing effective, accountable policing and criminal justice practices.

For any inquiries regarding government services, the Department of Justice has provided contact information through its website and switchboard.