TRADITIONALLY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) UTILIZATION HAS BEEN DEFINED AS 'A PROCESS THAT DEALS WITH ANY FACTOR THAT WILL INCREASE THE PROBABILITY OF R&D KNOWLEDGE BEING CONVERTED INTO IMPROVED PRACTICE.' SUCH UTILIZATION HAS CONSISTED OF: PROMOTION OF A SPECIFIC INNOVATION, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT MEET LOCAL NEEDS; FUNDING OF PILOT PROJECTS, WHICH CEASE WHEN THE FUNDING RUNS OUT BECAUSE LOCAL MONIES ARE NOT AVAILABLE; DEVELOPING AGENCY R&D TEAMS WHICH ALSO SUFFER FUNDING PROBLEMS; AND PUBLISHING REPORTS AND OTHER WRITTEN MATERIALS. BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF SUCCESS OF THESE TRADITIONAL METHODS, A NEW LOOK HAS BEEN TAKEN AT THE POLICE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY AT THE MANY FACTORS WHICH IMPEDE CHANGE. IF INNOVATIONS ARE TO BECOME PRACTICE, THE NATURAL CHANGE AGENTS OF THE SYSTEM MUST BE UTILIZED - THE BASIC TRAINING GIVEN AT POLICE ACADEMIES, LAW SCHOOLS, AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS; THE CERTIFICATION AND PROMOTION EXAMINATION BOARDS; NEW LEGISLATION, WHICH OFTEN FORCES GREAT CHANGE; PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS; AND PURCHASING DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER DIVISIONS RESPONSIBLE FOR ACQUIRING NEW PRODUCTS AND METHODS. DISSEMINATION OF R&D KNOWLEDGE TO THE TEACHERS AND DESIGNERS OF CURRICULUMS WOULD INSURE THAT NEW POLICE OFFICERS OR LAWYERS WOULD BE EXPOSED TO INNOVATIONS. THERE IS, LIKEWISE, MOTIVATION TO STUDY IN ORDER TO PASS CERTIFICATION EXAMINATIONS AND THIS, TOO, COULD IMPROVE KNOWLEDGE. STATE AND LOCAL LEGISLATORS OFTEN HAVE TO DO A GREAT DEAL OF INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH BEFORE PASSING LAWS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS. MAKING RESEARCH KNOWLEDGE AVAILABLE TO THEM WOULD HELP INSTITUTIONALIZE NEEDED CHANGES. PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS, CONVENTIONS, AND PURCHASING AGENTS ARE IDEAL WAYS TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION ON NEW PRODUCTS OR NEW APPLICATIONS. IN FACT, DEPARTMENT-TO-DEPARTMENT INNOVATIONS ARE CURRENTLY AMONG THE MOST WIDELY ACCEPTED INNOVATIONS. A DISCUSSION OF USE OF THESE NATURAL POINTS OF ENTRY TO DISSEMINATE R&D KNOWLEDGE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE INSTITUTIONS TO PERMANENT CHANGE IS GIVEN.