Press Release
Attorney General Sessions Provides Further Support for Local Law Enforcement with Launch of New Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center
For Immediate Release
Office of Public Affairs
Attorney General Jeff Sessions today announced the launch of the Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center (CRI-TAC) during the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Division Midyear Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
This follows the Attorney General’s announcement in September of 2017 that the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services would shift to better align the program to support local law enforcement consistent with the original intent of the authorizing statute. Consistent with that, the CRI-TAC brings together a coalition of the nation’s top public safety organizations under the leadership of the IACP to provide tailored technical assistance and a field driven approach to local policing agencies through a $7 million award from the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office).
"Better training and the more sophisticated policing strategies were key reasons for 20 years of declining crime in America," Attorney General Sessions said. "I believe that continuing to advance our technical sophistication can help us reduce crime once again, and that's why we're investing in CRI-TAC. Improving access to training for our state and local law enforcement partners will mean better policing and a safer America."
Since the December 2017 announcement of the CRI-TAC award, the IACP and its partners have started planning technical assistance delivery to support three law enforcement agencies around their unique challenges. Those agencies include the Cedar Rapids (IA) Police Department, the McNeese State University (LA) Police Department, and the Knoxville (TN) Police Department, which has asked for technical assistance around effective gun violence reduction and prevention initiatives.
For the first time ever, the following law enforcement stakeholder organizations – and their over 420,000 members – are working together to create a center of resources and subject matter expertise explicitly focusing on the needs of local policing agencies:
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
- "The IACP is excited to work alongside eight leading law enforcement leadership and labor organizations to build and deliver this comprehensive technical assistance center that can support the diverse agencies and communities around the U.S. with customized solutions for the field, by the field," said IACP President Louis M. Dekmar, Chief of the LaGrange, Georgia, Police Department.
Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy Associates (FBINAA)
- “The vision of the FBI National Academy Associates is to provide continuous development and resources to the world's strongest law enforcement leadership network,” said Howard Cook, Executive Director, FBI National Academy Associates. “The Collaborative Reform Initiative for Technical Assistance Center (CRI-TAC) will allow us to provide cutting-edge and innovative education, training, and resources to law enforcement executives throughout the country. By focusing on the most relative and important 21st century issues, we will be able to continue to impact communities by providing and promoting law enforcement leadership and enhancing the trust our citizens have bestowed on us.”
Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)
- “The National Fraternal Order of Police is honored to be a partnering member of this initiative,” said Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police. “We view our participation as critical to the delivery of quality training opportunities to front line officers who have dedicated their lives to the protection of the public under some of the most adverse conditions we have seen in recent times.”
International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA)
- “IACLEA is honored to be a part of this vital initiative,” said IACLEA President David Bousquet. “The input of campus public safety experts will enhance the project development and, ultimately, the technical assistance center. We look forward to rolling up our sleeves and working with our project partners.”
International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST)
- “IADLEST is proud to be a part of this project and to be partnering with so many other great organizations dedicated to increasing public safety and the effectiveness of community policing and reducing crime,” said Daniel Zivkovich, President of IADLEST. “We are very appreciative of the IACP for spearheading this initiative and allowing IADLEST to be a part of it. Being the only membership organization that represents POST agencies and Academy Directors nationwide, we believe that IADLEST is an integral partner in this initiative.”
Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA)
- “The Major Cities Chiefs Association looks forward to the ongoing partnership with the IACP and each program partner in the Collaborative Reform Initiative,” said Montgomery County, Maryland Police Chief Tom Manger. “The expertise of our combined membership will help provide solutions to some of the most challenging problems facing law enforcement in our commitment to service throughout our communities.”
National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE)
- “The National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE) is honored to be part of the rich coalition of participants,” said Valerie Cunningham, NAWLEE President. “We look forward to offering up the collective experience of our membership and subject matter expertise to deliver tailored resources to agencies looking for assistance.”
National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE)
- “The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) is very pleased to join the IACP and others in delivering Collaborative Reform Initiative technical assistance to law enforcement agencies across the nation,” said NOBLE President Clarence E. Cox, III. “We look forward to playing an integral role in this much needed effort which focuses on developing and executing a national law enforcement technical assistance program at all levels of law enforcement. The technical assistance offerings will include everything from Active Shooter Responses to Police Responses to Mass Demonstrations of which NOBLE is well versed.”
National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA)
- “For 35 years, the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) has been dedicated to enhancing the performance and professional status of law enforcement personnel by providing a credible and proven training resource, as well as a forum for the development of tactics and information exchange. We are excited to be a partner in the CRI-TAC and assist those agencies in need of our services.” Thor Eells, NTOA Executive Director.
For more information about the CRI-TA program, visit the COPS Office website https://cops.usdoj.gov/collaborativereform.
Law enforcement agencies seeking additional information or interested in submitting a voluntary request to participate in CRI-TAC should visit www.collaborativereform.org.
The COPS Office awards grants to hire community policing officers, develop and test innovative policing strategies, and provide training and technical assistance to community members, local government leaders, and all levels of law enforcement. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to help advance community policing.
Updated March 15, 2018
Press Release Number: 18 - 312