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← POLICE EXECUTIVE RESEARCH FORUM

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by POLICE EXECUTIVE RESEARCH FORUM.

Totals

Total revenue
$11,835,713
Total expenses
$11,922,030
Contributions and grants received
$4,963,484
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$6,060,111
Investment income
$792,073
Other revenue
$20,045
Total assets, end of year
$23,014,614
Total liabilities, end of year
$9,227,026
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$13,787,588
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$10,893,970
Management and general expenses
$1,028,060
Fundraising expenses
$0
Program service expenses (Part III)
$10,893,970

Program services were 91.4% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1b · Membership dues

    $604,265

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $2,076,324

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $2,282,895

  • 2a · Program service revenue: CONF. & REGISTRATIONS

    total $4,638,212 · related or exempt $4,638,212

  • 2b · Program service revenue: EDUCATION

    total $663,708 · related or exempt $663,708

  • 2c · Program service revenue: MANAGEMENT SERVICES

    total $506,728 · related or exempt $506,728

  • 2d · Program service revenue: EXECUTIVE SEARCH

    total $219,814 · related or exempt $219,814

  • 2e · Program service revenue: PUBLICATIONS

    total $31,649 · related or exempt $31,649

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $792,073 · excluded $792,073

  • 11a · Other revenue: OTHER REVENUE

    total $20,045 · excluded $20,045

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $20,045

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $906,822 · program services $487,542 · management and general $419,280

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $3,086,120 · program services $1,844,702 · management and general $1,241,418

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $4,104 · program services $215 · management and general $3,889

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $1,092,859 · program services $631,540 · management and general $461,319

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $1,754 · management and general $1,754

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $51,650 · management and general $51,650

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $9,025 · management and general $9,025

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $2,027,668 · program services $1,707,311 · management and general $320,357

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $2,396 · program services $2,396

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $283,803 · program services $226,796 · management and general $57,007

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $147,833 · program services $21,805 · management and general $126,028

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $536,825 · management and general $536,825

  • 17 · Travel

    total $1,450,630 · program services $1,375,013 · management and general $75,617

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $60,846 · management and general $60,846

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $108,762 · management and general $108,762

  • 24a · Other expenses: CATERING

    total $1,047,780 · program services $997,039 · management and general $50,741

  • 24b · Other expenses: OTHER EXPENSES

    total $684,895 · program services $410,056 · management and general $274,839

  • 24c · Other expenses: SITE RENTAL

    total $237,076 · program services $230,382 · management and general $6,694

  • 24d · Other expenses: MEDIA PRODUCTION

    total $181,182 · program services $181,151 · management and general $31

  • 24e · All other expenses

    program services $2,778,022 · management and general -$2,778,022

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $20,941 · end of year $27,606

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $1,923,504 · end of year $2,914,949

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $1,125,433 · end of year $799,234

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $66,327 · end of year $43,190

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $1,314 · end of year $1,314

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $39,314 · end of year $8,527

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $636,416

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $594,969

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $92,621 · end of year $41,447

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $17,793,495 · end of year $16,219,899

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $307,637 · end of year $2,958,448

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $1,450,910 · end of year $1,584,287

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $5,833,445 · end of year $4,659,544

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $305,706 · end of year $2,983,195

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $13,732,769 · end of year $13,739,832

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $47,756 · end of year $47,756

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

PERF IS AN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH ORGANIZATION THAT FOCUSES ON CRITICAL ISSUES IN POLICING. PERF'S WORK INCLUDES GUIDANCE ON POLICE USE OF FORCE, EFFECTIVE CRIME REDUCTION STRATEGIES, AND PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT POLICE OFFICERS' HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. PERF ADVANCES PROFESSIONALISM IN POLICING BY SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT BEST PRACTICES WITH THE FIELD.

Activities or mission (Part I)

PERF CONDUCTS RESEARCH ON BEST PRACTICES AND POLICIES IN POLICING, AND DISSEMINATES FINDINGS TO THE FIELD.

  • EDUCATION AND TRAINING: IN 2024, PERF HELD FOUR SESSIONS OF ITS SENIOR MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE FOR POLICE (SMIP), A LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR MID- AND SENIOR-LEVEL POLICE OFFICIALS, MANY OF WHOM WILL BE FUTURE POLICE CHIEFS. PERF ALSO TRAINED OFFICERS TO IMPLEMENT PERF'S INTEGRATING COMMUNICATIONS, ASSESSMENT, AND TACTICS (ICAT) PROGRAM, WHICH HELPS PREVENT UNNECESSARY USES OF FORCE BY POLICE AND PROMOTES BETTER OUTCOMES IN INCIDENTS THAT INVOLVE SUBJECTS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, OR OTHER CONDITIONS THAT MAY CAUSE THEM TO BEHAVE UNPREDICTABLY. ICAT TRAININGS ARE HELD MONTHLY AT PERF'S NATIONAL ICAT FACILITY IN DECATUR, ILLINOIS. PERF ALSO CONTINUES TO CONTRACT DIRECTLY WITH AGENCIES TO PROVIDE ICAT TRAINING. PERF ALSO HELD ITS THIRD ANNUAL NATIONAL ICAT CONFERENCE.

    Expenses $5,497,478 · Revenue $5,301,920

  • RESEARCH: PERF CONDUCTS A RANGE OF RESEARCH PROJECTS AND PUBLISHES FINDINGS IN REPORTS FOR POLICE PRACTITIONERS, THE NEWS MEDIA, AND THE PUBLIC. IN 2024, PERF'S RESEARCH TEAM EXAMINED THE POLICE RESPONSE TO CIVIL DISTURBANCES; POLICE PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES TO ADDRESS CRIME ISSUES; AND LAW ENFORCEMENT'S ROLE IN COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTIONS.

    Expenses $2,067,042

  • DEMONSTRATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: PERF STUDIES BEST PRACTICES AND EMERGING ISSUES IN POLICING. ISSUES ADDRESSED IN 2024 INCLUDED: RESPONDING TO THE RISE IN CARJACKING; REDUCING THE RISK OF RESTRAINT-RELATED DEATH; INTEGRATING CIVILIAN STAFF INTO POLICE AGENCIES; ENGAGING IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES; AND POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.

    Expenses $1,063,379

  • MEMBERSHIP: PERF'S MEMBERSHIP IS COMPRISED OF THOUSANDS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT EXECUTIVES, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, ACADEMICS, RESEARCHERS, AND OTHERS WITH AN INTEREST IN POLICING AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES. PERF HOLDS MEETINGS, CONFERENCES, AND OTHER EVENTS, AND COMMUNICATES WITH ITS MEMBERS ON A DAILY BASIS. PERF'S DAILY CLIPS SERVICE IS A DAILY NEWSLETTER FEATURING THE MOST COMPELLING NEWS MEDIA STORIES ABOUT ISSUES IN POLICING. PERF'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ALSO SENDS OUT A WEEKLY COLUMN CALLED "PERF TRENDING," WHICH FOCUSES ON A CURRENT TOPIC IN POLICING AND PROVIDES UPDATES ON ACTIVITIES AT PERF.

    Expenses $1,126,132

  • MANAGEMENT SERVICES: PERF PROVIDES MANAGEMENT CONSULTING SERVICES TO POLICE AGENCIES. PERF OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE ORGANIZATIONAL STUDIES; STRATEGIC PLANNING; TRAINING DEVELOPMENT AND REVIEW; GUIDANCE ON RECRUITMENT, HIRING, AND RETENTION; DEVELOPMENT OF USE-OF-FORCE POLICIES AND TRAINING; AND ANALYSIS AND REVIEW OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS AND OTHER DISCIPLINARY POLICIES AND CASES.

    Expenses $862,826 · Revenue $506,728

  • COMMUNICATIONS: PERF'S COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT MANAGES THE EDITING AND PRODUCTION OF PERF REPORTS, AS WELL AS MANAGING PERF'S WEBSITE, FIELDING NEWS MEDIA INQUIRIES ABOUT ISSUES IN POLICING, AND MAINTAINING PERF'S PRESENCE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

    Expenses $25,369 · Revenue $31,649

  • EXECUTIVE SEARCH: OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS, PERF HAS HELPED MORE THAN 200 CITIES, COUNTIES, AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS IDENTIFY THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR POLICE CHIEF AND OTHER LEADERSHIP POSITIONS. PERF HAS PUBLISHED SEVERAL BOOKS ON EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT FOR POLICING PROFESSIONALS, SUCH AS "COMMAND PERFORMANCE: A CAREER GUIDE FOR POLICE EXECUTIVES," "THE FIRST SIX MONTHS: A POLICE CHIEF'S GUIDE TO STARTING OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT, AND "CHAPTER 2: HOW POLICE CHIEFS AND SHERIFFS ARE FINDING MEANING AND PURPOSE IN THE NEXT STAGE OF THEIR CAREERS."

    Expenses $251,744 · Revenue $219,814

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • John Drake

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Kathy Lester

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Kevin Bethel

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Brian O'Hara

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Robert Tracy

    MEMBER-AT-LARGE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Ken Hartwick

    CFO

    Total calculated
    $332,658
    From this org
    $268,017
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $64,641
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $267,621
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $396
    Deferred
    $28,885
    Nontaxable benefits
    $35,756
    Filer's total
    $332,658

  • Chuck Wexler

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $574,163
    From this org
    $483,702
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $90,461
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $363,157
    Bonus
    $60,000
    Other
    $60,545
    Deferred
    $69,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $21,461
    Filer's total
    $574,163

  • Christopher Fisher

    DIR., STRATEGY & IMPLEMENTATION

    Total calculated
    $268,836
    From this org
    $218,265
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $50,571
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $217,869
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $396
    Deferred
    $23,375
    Nontaxable benefits
    $27,196
    Filer's total
    $268,836

  • Meagan Cahill

    DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH

    Total calculated
    $274,335
    From this org
    $246,810
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $27,525
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $246,720
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $90
    Deferred
    $23,967
    Nontaxable benefits
    $3,558
    Filer's total
    $274,335

  • Jennifer Sommers

    DEPUTY DIR. OF MGMT & TECH SVCS

    Total calculated
    $223,383
    From this org
    $200,586
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $22,797
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $200,328
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $258
    Deferred
    $19,285
    Nontaxable benefits
    $3,512
    Filer's total
    $223,383

  • Thomas Wilson

    DIR. CENTER FOR APPLIED RESEARCH

    Total calculated
    $296,064
    From this org
    $268,167
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $27,897
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $267,909
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $258
    Deferred
    $26,345
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,552
    Filer's total
    $296,064

  • Daniel Alioto

    DEPUTY DIR. OF TECH ASSISTANCE

    Total calculated
    $221,295
    From this org
    $200,697
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $20,598
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $200,559
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $138
    Deferred
    $19,248
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,350
    Filer's total
    $221,295

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
14 November 2025
IRS schema version
2024v5.2
Source object
202503219349314290

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