Policy, Standards, Material Development or Review

The NCJA team reviewed the 2018 Byrne JAG strategic plan submitted by the Alabama SAA.

Plan Strengths:
Alabama includes a great amount of information regarding their 2014 survey data that demonstrates a strong effort in stakeholder engagement. The stakeholder input from that survey is a driver in their goal setting and priorities. The priorities are clearly outlined and seem to be align with best practices to address their needs (mental health services in facilities, alternatives to jail/prison, etc.)

The NCJA project team reviewed the 2018 Strategic Plan submitted by the Alaska SAA. This plan was submitted in the year prior to the new strategic planning requirement mandated by the Justice for All Reauthorization Act for 2019 applications.

Plan Strengths:
Overall the plan clearly defines what general goals they would like to accomplish and the research that supports the need for these goals. It has includes a lot of data to support their problem statement related to Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse issues.

An Advisory Committee representing a cross-section of criminal justice system stakeholders is being assembled to identify existing resources, gaps in the resources, emerging areas in need of support, and organizations and outlets to share TTA opportunities and information. The Committee will include representatives from law enforcement, prosecution, victim-witness agencies, defense, judiciary, court administration, corrections, data analysts, technologist, academics, impacted communities, rural jurisdictions, and disability communities.

Kelly Stoner and Chia Halpern provided revisions, comments and suggestions to the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians regarding their tribal constitution and code as the tribe prepares to implement VAWA Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction.

Kelly Stoner and Chia Halpern provided revisions, comments and suggestions to the Comanche regarding their tribal constitution and code as the tribe prepares to implement VAWA Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction.

At BJA’s direction, IIR and a team of SMEs conducted a pre-visit conference call and questionnaire and an on-site visit to conduct a nonfatal shooting and gun violence reduction assessment site visit to support the Davenport PD’s efforts to reduce violent crime by reducing gun violence and enhancing its capacity to conduct comprehensive nonfatal shooting investigations. As part of this site visit, the SME team interviewed members of the Davenport PD’s command, investigative, patrol, crime lab, crime analysis, intelligence, victim/witness, and training staff.

On December 4, 2019 the following individuals attended an initial meeting to discuss grant objectives for a new BJA award: Norena Henry from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, BJ Jones and Michelle Rivard Parks from the Tribal Judicial Institute, Jerry Gardner, Heather Valdez Freedman, Chia Halpern, Laura Smith and Kelly Stoner from the Tribal Law and Policy Institute and Brian Kaufman from the Western Community Policing Institute.

At BJA’s direction, IIR and a team of SMEs conducted a pre-visit conference call and questionnaire and an on-site visit to conduct a nonfatal shooting and gun violence reduction assessment site visit to support the Baton Rouge PD’s efforts to reduce violent crime by reducing gun violence and enhancing its capacity to conduct comprehensive nonfatal shooting investigations. As part of this site visit, the SME team interviewed members of the Baton Rouge PD’s command, investigative, patrol, crime lab, crime analysis, intelligence, victim/witness, and training staff.

Kelly Stoner and Chia Halpern provided revisions, comments and suggestions to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe regarding their tribal constitution and code as the tribe prepares to implement VAWA Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction. They also participated on phone calls to discuss the suggested changes.

July - December 2019 and January - June 2020 reporting periods: At BJA’s direction, IIR and a team of SMEs conducted a pre-visit conference call and questionnaire and an on-site visit to conduct a nonfatal shooting and gun violence reduction assessment site visit to support the Cleveland Division of Police's efforts to reduce violent crime by reducing gun violence and enhancing its capacity to conduct comprehensive nonfatal shooting investigations.