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Bureau of Justice Assistance

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Bureau of Justice Assistance
Bureau/Office overview
JurisdictionFederal government of the United States
Headquarters
810 7th Street NW
Washington, D.C., United States
Bureau/Office executive
  • Awaiting Politial Appointee - Currently Non-Political (acting), Director
Parent departmentOffice of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice
Websitewww.bja.gov

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]

The Bureau of Justice Assistance has an Acting Director effective January 20, 2017[2] taking over for Denise O'Donnell who had been appointed by President Obama. There will be an Acting Director until a permanent replacement is named my the President of the United States.

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.[1]

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.[1]

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.[1]

Organization

BJA has four primary components: Policy, Programs, Planning, and the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Office.[1]

  • 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 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[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Bureau of Justice Assistance - About BJA". www.bja.gov. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
  2. ^ a b "Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) - Office of Justice Programs (OJP)". ojp.gov. Retrieved 2017-01-27.

External links