The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, within the United States Department of Justice. BJA provides leadership and assistance to local criminal justice programs that improve and reinforce the nation’s criminal justice system.
Tracey Trautman is the Acting Director of Bureau of Justice Assistance effective January 20, 2017 taking over for Denise O'Donnell who had been appointed by President Obama.
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.
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.
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.
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 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
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program
Second Chance Act (SCA)
Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation (BCJI)
Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI)
Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP)
Field-Initiated Program
Smart Policing Initiative (SPI)
Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative (Global)
Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs)
Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Program
Community-Based Problem-Solving Criminal Justice Initiative
Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery (CBOB) Program
Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor (MOV)[1]
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN)
Sexual Assault Kit Initiatives (SAKI)
Violence Reduction Network (VRN)
Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force Initiative
