WASHINGTON, May 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Justice today hosted its first Smart Policing meeting in Alexandria, Va. to promote information sharing, innovative policing techniques, and best-practices for law enforcement.  

"This inaugural meeting is a critical component of the Department's Smart Policing Initiative (SPI)," said Laurie Robinson, Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), "SPI is rooted in the Administration's priority of supporting, developing, and enhancing evidence-based practices, building upon current models, and encouraging innovative approaches and strategies nationwide."

Under a national competitive solicitation in Fiscal Year (FY) 2009, OJP's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) awarded SPI grants to 10 law enforcement agencies throughout the United States.  The grantees were selected to create a diverse sampling of agency size, type of crime challenge, and law enforcement approach. 

The purpose of this meeting is to better understand the expectations of SPI, collaborate on project activities, share best practices, and learn about innovative policing techniques.  BJA will continue training and technical assistance for the 10 sites as they begin collecting and analyzing data, develop meaningful and realistic performance measures, and assess the effectiveness of their efforts.  Overall, the work of the SPI sites will be intrinsic in identifying police tactics and strategies that are effective, efficient, and economical.  In addition, the lessons learned will inform future smart policing tactics and criminal justice policy. 

Research shows that effective policing requires a tightly focused, collaborative approach that is measurable; based on sound, detailed analysis; and includes policies and procedures that promote and support accountability.  In support of these goals, BJA is partnering with the CNA Corporation, which has extensive experience in law enforcement operations and evaluation, to provide this training and assist with the development and implementation of strategies within the 10 sites.  Each site is also required to work with a research partner.  In FY 2010, BJA plans to add three to four more SPI sites and has encouraged these applicants to explore strategic and collaborative partnerships with probation agencies.  The President's FY 2011 Budget Request includes $10 million for Smart Policing and an additional $10 million for a Smart Probation initiative.

The Office of Justice Programs (OJP), headed by Assistant Attorney General Laurie O. Robinson, provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and assist victims.  OJP has seven components: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; the Office for Victims of Crime; the Community Capacity Development Office, and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking.  More information about OJP can be found at http://www.ojp.gov.

A fact sheet with more information is available at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/pdf/SmartPolicingFS.pdf.

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SOURCE Office of Justice Programs - U.S. Department of Justice

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