Among alternatives for reducing liability exposure, safety belts provide the most long-lasting, reliable, and measurable means. Safety belt laws now exist in 33 jurisdictions. A manual, 'Occupant Protection Systems and Trends for the Police Manager,' provides information and guidelines for protecting assets, motivating employees, and reducing highway crash trauma. Highway crash trauma is a major source of economic loss, as well as loss of life. A survey of police fleet crashes showed that agencies lost manhours and incurred expenses in overtime, liability suits, and worker compensation and survivor benefits. The community, in general, and police officers, in particular, need to be convinced that they can reduce injury and loss through voluntary or mandated safety belt use. Ensuring acceptance of and compliance with buckle-up programs requires legislation, education, and enforcement. Commanders can serve as role models for officers, who, in turn, serve as role models for the community. Law enforcement also must foster a strong working relationship with the media. Public affairs officers can play a critical role in spreading the message to the community. A training program is available that demonstrates the importance of safety belt use, and written policies can facilitate a strong enforcement response. Communities with aggressive safety belt programs are seeing compliance levels of more than 70 percent.