Bureau of Justice Assistance explained
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, within the United States Department of Justice.[1] BJA provides leadership and assistance to local criminal justice programs that improve and reinforce the nation's criminal justice system.[2]
Deputy Director Tracey Trautman was named as Acting Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance from January to December 2017,[3] before President Donald Trump appointed Jon Adler to the Director role in December 2017. He resigned on September 16, 2019. Trautman was again named as acting Director on September 16, 2019.,[4] serving in that role until March 2020. On March 9, 2020 President Trump nominated Mike Costigan to serve as Acting Director,[5] in which role he remained until October 8, 2020. The next Acting Director was Kendel Ehrlich, sworn in on October 13, 2020,[6] who served until January 20, 2021. Kristen Mahoney served as Acting Director from January 20, 2021 until February 28, 2022.[7]
The current Director, since February 28, 2022, is Karhlton F. Moore.[8]
Principles
- Emphasize local control.
- Build relationships in the field.
- Provide training and technical assistance in support of efforts to prevent crime, drug abuse, and violence at the national, state, and local levels.
- Develop collaborations and partnerships.
- Promote capacity building through planning.
- Streamline the administration of grants.
- Increase training and technical assistance.
- Create accountability of projects.
- Encourage innovation.
- Communicate the value of justice efforts to decision makers at every level.
Mission statement
The mission of the Bureau of Justice Assistance is to provide leadership and services in grant administration and criminal justice policy development to support local, state, and tribal justice strategies to achieve safer communities.
Goals
BJA's goals are to reduce and prevent crime, violence, and drug abuse and to improve the way in which the criminal justice system functions. In order to achieve such goals, BJA programs illustrate the coordination and cooperation of local, state, and federal governments. BJA works closely with programs that bolster law enforcement operations, expand drug courts, and provide benefits to safety officers.
Organization
BJA has four primary components: Policy, Programs, Planning, and the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Office.
- The Policy Office provides national leadership in criminal justice policy, training, and technical assistance to further the administration of justice. It also acts as a liaison to national organizations that partner with BJA to set policy and help disseminate information on best and promising practices.
- The Programs Office coordinates and administers all state and local grant programs and acts as BJA's direct line of communication to states, territories, and tribal governments by providing assistance and coordinating resources.
- The Planning Office coordinates the planning, communications, and budget formulation and execution; provides overall BJA-wide coordination; and supports streamlining efforts.
- Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program[9] supports the recent efforts taken by the nation's public safety agencies and law enforcement organizations to increase officer safety and wellness, including through policies that require public safety officers to use seat belts and body armor
Programs Administered
See also
References
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: About. 2019-09-05. Bureau of Justice Assistance. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110407005144/http://www.bja.gov:80/about/index.html . 2011-04-07 . 2020-01-21.
- Web site: Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). Office of Justice Programs. en. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20100527235657/http://www.ojp.gov/about/offices/bja.htm . 2010-05-27 . 2017-01-27.
- Web site: T. C. R. Staff . Jon Adler Abruptly Leaves Bureau of Justice Assistance . The Crime Report . 30 June 2021 . 2019-09-17.
- Tracey Trautman Tapped as Acting Head of Bureau of Justice Assistance. 2019-09-16. Office of Justice Programs. Washington, D.C..
- Web site: Former Heritage Official named Director of BJA . The Crime Report . 30 June 2021 . 2020-03-09.
- Web site: Speakers . DOJ Conversation with Alabama Rural Law Enforcement Leaders . 2020-10-15.
- Web site: Kristen Mahoney. Bureau of Justice Assistance. 30 June 2021 . en.
- Web site: Karhlton F. Moore. Bureau of Justice Assistance. March 29, 2022. en.
- Web site: Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program Fact Sheet. 2019. 2020-01-21. Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program (Bureau of Justice Assistance).
- Web site: Bureau of Justice Assistance. 2020-01-21. Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force Initiative.
- Web site: Bureau of Justice Assistance. 2020-01-21. Body-Worn Cameras.
- Web site: Bureau of Justice Assistance. 2020-01-21. Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Program.
- Web site: Bureau of Justice Assistance. 2020-01-21. Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation (BCJI).
- Web site: Bureau of Justice Assistance. 2020-01-21. Community-Based Problem-Solving Criminal Justice Initiative.
- Web site: Bureau of Justice Assistance. 2020-01-21. Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program.
- Web site: Bureau of Justice Assistance. 2020-01-21. Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.
- Web site: Bureau of Justice Assistance. 2020-01-21. Field-Initiated Program.
- Web site: Bureau of Justice Assistance. 2020-01-21. Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative (Global).
- Web site: Bureau of Justice Assistance. 2020-01-21. Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP).
- Web site: Bureau of Justice Assistance. 2020-01-21. Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI).
- Web site: Bureau of Justice Assistance. 2020-01-21. Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery (CBOB) Program.
- Web site: About the National Gang Center.
- Web site: Bureau of Justice Assistance. 2020-01-21. Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor.
- Web site: Bureau of Justice Assistance. 2020-01-21. Project Safe Neighborhoods.
- Web site: Bureau of Justice Assistance. 2020-01-21. Second Chance Act.
- Web site: Bureau of Justice Assistance. 2020-01-21. Sexual Assault Kit Initiatives (SAKI).
- Web site: Bureau of Justice Assistance. 2020-01-21. Smart Policing Initiative (SPI).
- Web site: Bureau of Justice Assistance. 2020-01-21. Violence Reduction Network (VRN).