After-Action Review Library

NPI believes that some of the best lessons and improvements in policing can come from critical incident or after-action reviews, particularly when such reviews are completed with independent experts in a manner that places emphasis on learning and improvement instead of responsibility or fault. Critical incident reviews have been completed on major, multi-jurisdictional incidents and individual agency incidents and activities.

NPI was the first national law enforcement organization to create and compile a library of after-action reviews from mass demonstration, mass violence, and other critical incidents. Included in the virtual library below are critical incident and after-action reviews and reports prepared by the NPI and other organizations and agencies, through governmental and private funding sources. While compiling this library, NPI conducts analyses to identify common findings, recommendations, promising practices, and lessons learned.

For more information on NPI’s services, please visit our Independent After-Action Reviews of Incident Responses – Technical Assistance page.

Is Your Agency Conducting Its Own AAR?
View our guide on How to Conduct an After-Action Review

How to Conduct an AAR

How to conduct an AAR_cover

How to Conduct an After Action Review

Topic Areas: Policing Strategies & Operations, Police Administration & Organizations

View Publication

NPI Mass Violence & Targeted Attack AARs

Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS AAR

Recovering and Moving Forward: Lessons Learned and Recommendations Following the Shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

Topic Areas: Community Partnerships, Policing Strategies & Operations, Police Administration & Organizations

View Publication

Pulse Nightclub AAR

Rescue, Response, and Resilience: A Critical Incident Review of the Orlando Public Safety Response to the Attack on the Pulse Nightclub

Topic Areas: Policing Strategies & Operations, Personnel & Staffing, Police Administration & Organizations

View Publication

James T Vaugh Correction Center Report

Final Report: Independent Review of Security Issues at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center

Topic Areas: Community Partnerships, Policing Strategies & Operations, Personnel & Staffing, Police Administration & Organizations

View Publication

NPI Large-Scale Demonstration AARs

A Crisis of Trust: A National Policing Institute Report to the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners on the Los Angeles Police Department Response to First Amendment Assemblies and Protests Occurring May 27 – June 7, 2020

Topic Areas: Community Partnerships, Preventing Crime & Violence, Policing Strategies & Operations, Personnel & Staffing, Police Administration & Organizations

View Publication

Columbus OH 2020 AAR cover

Research Evaluation of the City of Columbus’ Response to the 2020 Summer Protests

Topic Areas: Community Partnerships, Policing Strategies & Operations, Personnel & Staffing, Police Administration & Organizations

View Publication

Portland Mass Demonstration AAR

Preparing for and Responding to Mass Demonstrations and Counter-Demonstrations in Portland, Oregon

Topic Areas: Community Partnerships, Policing Strategies & Operations, Personnel & Staffing, Police Administration & Organizations

View Publication

NPI Projects