About the Police Executive Research Forum

Mission

The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) is a national membership organization of progressive police executives from the largest city, county and state law enforcement agencies. PERF is dedicated to improving policing and advancing professionalism through research and involvement in public policy debate. Incorporated in 1977, PERF's primary sources of operating revenues are government grants and contracts, and partnerships with private foundations and other organizations.

We are proud of the service we provide to law enforcement stakeholders. Our research and publications are targeted in areas our members find important to their agencies and for professional development. Our conferences and training programs are targeted to audiences who want to be on the cutting edge of relevant policing topics. Our leadership is constantly looking for ways of improving our ability to meet your dynamic needs. You will find out more about what PERF is all about in this, our information section of our member network.

Origins

Ten leaders of large American law enforcement agencies created the Police Executive Research Forum in 1976 as a national membership organization that would foster debate, research and an openness to challenging traditional police practices.

Membership

PERF general members lead larger police agencies in the United States and around the world; their jurisdictions are often the seedbeds of the toughest problems and hard-won solutions in policing.  They collectively serve a majority of the U.S. population.

Subscribing and sustaining members include police chiefs and executives from smaller jurisdictions, personnel below the rank of chief from all police agencies, researchers and scholars, and others interested and involved in the criminal justice field.  All members must be committed to PERF’s founding principles and possess a four-year college degree from an accredited educational institution.

Governance

PERF is governed by a member-elected President and Board of Directors and a Board-appointed Executive Director.  A staff of 30 full-time professionals is based in Washington D.C.

Taking a Leadership Role

PERF assumes leadership on the difficult issues facing police.  We encourage debate among members and the wider criminal justice community on controversial issues that affect public safety; fear of crime; and fair, humane treatment of all members of society.  PERF is a leading voice in the media, legislative arena and among policy-makers for progressive policing.  Two examples of PERF initiatives include:

Balancing Crime Strategies and Democratic Principles

Nationwide concern about perceived police misconduct in a number of urban, particularly minority, communities prompted PERF to convene police chiefs and community leaders to discuss anti-crime measures and police tactics.  One significant result was PERF’s commitment to develop best-practice guidelines for traffic stops, which have been frequent flashpoints of discord between police and minority citizens.

Reducing Violent Crime Through Clergy-Police Collaboration

PERF assembled a group of major city police chiefs, clergy and government officials from around the country to explore clergy-police anti-violence initiatives.  Community leaders and police officials shared their experiences with policy-clergy collaboration—a promising strategy to counteract the crime endemic to so many urban American neighborhoods.