In its probe of LAPD operations, the Webster Commission surveyed the emergency procedures of other major cities in the United States, many of which had experienced similar instances of civil unrest. The series contains materials that were acquired and studied by the Commission for this purpose. Included are reference guides developed by several police departments that delineate their structure, rules, and policies; manuals that outline emergency operations plans and procedures; reports that discuss the role of community-oriented policing in the prevention of crime; and assessments of the police departments response to riots in other cities.

Items in this series are arranged alphabetically, according to the 16 jurisdictions evaluated by the Commission: Atlanta, Baltimore, the California Highway Patrol, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Miami, Newark, Newport News, Philadelphia, Richmond, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Tampa, and Teaneck.