Chapter 1

Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

COLLABORATIVE REFORM THIRD ANNUAL REVIEW
2 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field
Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

COLLABORATIVE REFORM THIRD ANNUAL REVIEW
The opinions contained herein are those of the author(s) or contributor(s) and do not necessarily represent the official 

position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. References to specific individuals, agencies, companies, products, or 

services should not be considered an endorsement by the author(s), the contributor(s), or the U.S. Department of Justice. 

Rather, the references are illustrations to supplement discussion of the issues. 

The internet references cited in this publication were valid as of the date of publication. Given that URLs and websites are 

in constant flux, neither the author(s), the contributor(s), nor the COPS Office can vouch for their current validity.

This resource may be subject to copyright. The U.S. Department of Justice reserves a royalty-free, nonexclusive, and 

irrevocable license to reproduce, publish, or otherwise use and to authorize others to use this resource for Federal 

Government purposes. This resource may be freely distributed and used for noncommercial and educational purposes only.

Recommended citation:

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. 2021. Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field: 

Collaborative Reform Third Annual Review. Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.

Published 2021
Contents

Letter from the Acting Director of the COPS Office and Executive Directors of CRI-TAC Partners 

Acknowledgments

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

vii

COPS Office staff vii

IACP staff vii

Partners staff viii

Executive Summary  

Introduction 3

Technical assistance services 5

About this report 

Program Performance 13

Technical assistance facts and figures

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13

Technical assistance summaries 24

Responding to COVID-19

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

35

Information sharing 35

Resource development 38

COVID-19 Library of Resources and App 40

National COVID-19 impact surveillance and associated deliverables 41

How to Request Technical Assistance 43

Step 1. Inquiry 43

Step 2. Intake call 43

Step 3. Technical assistance request 43

Step 4. Technical assistance work plan 44

Step 5. Technical assistance delivery 44
iv Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

On Deck in 202145

Furthering active bystander techniques 45

Addressing community engagement 45

Supporting de-escalation training 45

Translating training to address tribal missing persons cases 46

Collaborating to develop national hate crimes training 46

Continuing service to the field 46

Appendix. Client Satisfaction Survey Responses 47

About the CRI-TAC Partners 49

About the COPS Office 52
Letter from the Acting Director of the COPS Office and Executive 

Directors of CRI-TAC Partners

Colleagues:

The successful partnership between the COPS Office, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), 

and a cohort of leading law enforcement partners—FBI National Academy Associates Inc. (FBINAA), the 

Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators 

(IACLEA), the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST), the 

Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives 

(NAWLEE), the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), the National Sheriffs’ 

Association (NSA), and the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA)—continues to provide critical technical 

assistance resources to law enforcement agencies through the Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical 

Assistance Center (CRI-TAC). Since we launched CRI-TAC in 2018, we have fielded more than 450 technical 

assistance requests for assistance on critical issues like community engagement; active shooter response; deescalation; mass demonstrations; school safety; crime analysis; crisis intervention; and recruitment, hiring, and 

retention. We deliver tailored technical assistance that meets the needs of state, local, territorial, tribal, and 

campus law enforcement agencies in a “by the field, for the field” approach.

We’re proud to provide tailored, timely, field-driven technical assistance to agencies in a way that minimizes 

the burden to the officers, deputies, and civilians on the front line while focusing on the needs of both law 

enforcement and the communities they serve. Our work is furthered by a strong collaboration among one 

another that not only enhances our technical assistance deliveries but also prepares us to respond to critical, 

emerging issues like the challenges in 2020 of policing during a pandemic.

This report on CRI-TAC’s third year demonstrates how the center has supported law enforcement agencies in 

their efforts to ensure public safety in their communities. It includes performance metrics, case studies, and 

testimonials on the efficient and responsible delivery of “by the field, for the field” assistance to campus, local, 

county, tribal, territorial, and state agencies and highlights plans to do more of the same in 2021. We will 
vi Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

continue to provide strong and effective assistance for the good of the field, the communities served, and the 

country. Thanks to the field and to the dedicated staff at the COPS Office and across all of the partners for 

making this a successful and service-oriented program.

Sincerely,

Robert E. Chapman

Acting Director

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services

Vincent Talucci

Executive Director

International Association of Chiefs of Police

Howard Cook

Executive Director

FBI National Academy Associates Inc.

Patrick Yoes

National President

Fraternal Order of Police

John Bernhards

Executive Director

International Association of Campus Law Enforcement 

Administrators

Michael Becar

Executive Director

International Association of Directors of Law 

Enforcement Standards and Training

Kimberly Wagner

Executive Director

Major County Sheriffs of America

Kym Craven

Executive Director

National Association of Women Law Enforcement 

Executives

Dwayne Crawford

Executive Director

National Organization of Black Law Enforcement 

Executives

Jonathan Thompson

Executive Director

National Sheriffs’ Association

Thor Eells

Executive Director

National Tactical Officers Association
Acknowledgments

By modeling the importance and strength of partnerships, CRI-TAC continues to advance the philosophy 

of community policing and the mission of the COPS Office. It is vital that the countless individuals and 

organizations who have contributed to the success of CRI-TAC in its third year be acknowledged.

First and foremost, we offer our appreciation to agency leaders that requested assistance; became engaged 

partners; and provided the vision, goals, and objectives they wanted to achieve to take their agencies to the 

next level. The leadership decision to reach out for assistance is commendable because these leaders are 

striving to better serve their employees and communities. We also offer appreciation to the innumerable law 

enforcement professionals from the requesting agencies who have worked hand in hand with CRI-TAC for the 

betterment of their agencies and the communities they serve.

Gratitude is also due to the staff at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and partner 

organizations that are the administrative backbone needed to ensure CRI-TAC truly represents the field. 

The 10 partner organizations are actively engaged in assisting the field in moving forward in a progressive, 

community-oriented approach.

Finally, none of this could be possible without the numerous and diverse subject matter experts (SME) who 

have provided the technical assistance needed to ensure CRI-TAC meets the needs of the field. The SMEs are 

the heart and mind of CRI-TAC and ensure that the technical assistance is responsive, innovative, effective, and 

efficient. Without their professionalism, dedication, and commitment, this report would not be possible. We are 

extremely thankful.

COPS Office staff

• Robert E. Chapman, Acting Director

• Matthew Scheider, Assistant Director, Community Policing Advancement

• Shelley S. Hyland, Supervisory Program Specialist, Community Policing Advancement

• Nazmia E.A. Comrie, Senior Program Specialist, Community Policing Advancement

• George Fachner, Senior Program Specialist, Community Policing Advancement

• Matt Lysakowski, Senior Advisor for Tribal Affairs, Community Policing Advancement

IACP staff

• Vincent Talucci, CAE, Executive Director / Chief Executive Officer 

• Terrence M. Cunningham, Deputy Executive Director / Chief Operating Officer 

• Domingo Herraiz, Director 
viii Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

• Sarah Horn, Assistant Director 

• Rosemary DeMenno, Senior Program Manager 

• Laura Wilt, Program Manager 

• Hilary Burgess, Project Manager 

• Emily Kuhn, Project Manager

• Stephanie Lash, Project Manager

• Brittney Stoerzinger, Project Manager 

• Dominique Burton, Project Coordinator 

• Raynell Hankerson, Project Coordinator 

• Alana Richardson, Project Assistant / Project Coordinator 

Partners staff

FBI National Academy Associates, Inc. 

• Joseph Hellebrand, President

• Howard Cook, Executive Director 

• John Kennedy, Director, Education and Training

• Korri Roper, Chief Financial Officer

Fraternal Order of Police

• James Pasco, Executive Director 

• Tim Richardson, Senior Legislative Liaison 

• Keith Turney, National Sergeant at Arms 

• Michelle Mason, Administrative Assistant

International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators

• John Bernhards, Executive Director 

• Josh Bronson, Director of Training 

• Deana Burke, Director of Finance and Administration 

• Gwen Fitzgerald, Director of Communications 

• Altmann Pannell, Director of Government Relations

• O’Neil Singleton, Program Associate 
Acknowledgments ix

International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training

• Mike Becar, Executive Director 

• Pam Cammarata, Project Manager 

• Mark Damitio, Crime Analysis Project Manager 

• Yvonne Pfeifer, Director of Operations

• Peggy Schaefer, Project Manager

Major County Sheriffs of America

• Kimberly Wagner, Executive Director

• Donna Stark, Chief Administrative Officer

National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives

• Kym Craven, Executive Director 

• Val Cunningham, Past President 

• Shannon Trump, 1st Vice President 

• Alana Ennis, Project Manager

• Becky Zagami, Bookkeeper

National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives 

• Dwayne Crawford, Executive Director 

• Patrick Taylor, Accounting Manager

• Sarah Johnson, Manager, Chapter and Member Services

• James Golden, Project Manager

National Sheriffs’ Association

• Jonathan Thompson, Executive Director / Chief Executive Officer 

• Michael Brown, Director of Professional Development 

• Jessica Vanderpool, Director of Grants and Contracts 

• Kristi Barksdale, Project Manager
x Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

National Tactical Officers Association

• Thor Eells, Executive Director 

• Don Kester, Director of Training and Education 

• Buck Rogers, Program Manager 

• Rick Brzozowski, Accountant
Executive Summary

The Collaborative Reform Initiative for Technical Assistance, a program developed by the U.S. Department 

of Justice (DOJ) Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), provides critical and tailored 

technical assistance resources to state, local, territorial, tribal, and campus law enforcement agencies on a 

wide variety of topics. The program has served as the premier technical assistance program of the COPS Office 

since 2011.

Assisting our nation’s law enforcement is at the core of our mission at the COPS Office. To advance this 

mission, it is essential that we engage with and listen to the field and adapt our approaches accordingly. 

Based on this valuable insight, in 2017 we partnered with the International Association of Chiefs of Police 

(IACP) to establish a technical assistance delivery center known as the Collaborative Reform Initiative 

Technical Assistance Center (CRI-TAC).

CRI-TAC brings together an unprecedented coalition of leading law enforcement organizations: IACP, 

FBI National Academy Associates Inc., Fraternal Order of Police, International Association of Campus Law 

Enforcement Administrators, International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and 

Training, Major County Sheriffs of America, National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, 

National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Sheriffs’ Association, and the National 

Tactical Officers Association. This collaboration ensures that CRI-TAC delivers tailored technical assistance that 

meets the needs of state, local, territorial, tribal, and campus law enforcement agencies in a “by the field, for 

the field” approach.

Since we launched CRI-TAC, the COPS Office has fielded more than 450 technical assistance requests from law 

enforcement agencies across the country. The center has delivered technical assistance on a range of diverse 

topics through various means including strategy consultation, policy assistance, training, and informational 

briefings by subject matter experts.

Most agencies participating in Collaborative Reform, like most agencies nationally, were local municipal 

police departments (63.7 percent). Sheriffs’ offices make up 14.8 percent of technical assistance participants, 

while campus agencies make up 12.6 percent, tribal 16 percent, and state agencies 4.5 percent. As is the case 

nationally, most CRI-TAC agencies (50.8 percent) have fewer than 50 sworn personnel. Mid-size and large 

agencies with 100 to 499 sworn personnel represent the second-greatest number of those receiving technical 

assistance from CRI-TAC at 21.6 percent.

Through survey data, 94 percent of agencies stated that the training provided through CRI-TAC was effective in 

meeting the goals and objectives of the course. Of particular note with respect to the training data, participants 

selected whether their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the training subject were advanced, intermediate, 
2 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

basic, little, or no skills before and after the training. Of 335 training participants, all but five improved their 

knowledge, skills, and abilities in at least one level or stayed the same. Forty-eight percent moved up one level, 

while 10 percent moved up two levels, and 1 percent moved up three levels.

In addition to the training data, CRI-TAC collects customer satisfaction data, which have shown that the vast 

majority of responding agencies strongly agree or agree that the technical assistance provided met their agency 

expectations, was relevant to their identified problem and relevant to their agency, and helped their agency 

address the problem. Analysis of client satisfaction composite scores indicates that we are meeting the needs of 

our customers.

This report highlights the work of CRI-TAC since the release of the second annual report1

 in May 2020. In 

this report, the reader will find a breakdown of program performance metrics as well as eight case studies 

highlighting diverse topics and agency size, type, and geography. The report provides testimonials on the 

impact of the technical assistance and a description of the intake process. The report also highlights a special 

initiative in 2020 focused on COVID-19. It concludes with an overview of activities taking place in 2021 

including work with tribal law enforcement and the development of community engagement resources and 

trainings in the topics of de-escalation, hate crimes, and peer intervention.

Agencies interested in submitting a request will experience a process that is low-burden, efficient, and designed 

to best address their needs while maintaining local control and decision-making. For more information about 

CRI-TAC, please visit CollaborativeReform.org.

Inquiry Intake

call

Technical

assistance

request

Technical

assistance

delivery

Work

plan

1. COPS Office, Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field: Collaborative Reform Second Annual Review (Washington, 

DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 2020), https://cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ric.php?page=detail&id=COPS-W0897.
Introduction

The Collaborative Reform Initiative for Technical Assistance, a program developed by the U.S. Department 

of Justice (DOJ) Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), provides critical and tailored 

technical assistance resources to state, local, territorial, tribal, and campus law enforcement agencies on a wide 

variety of topics. The program has served as the premier technical assistance program of the COPS Office since 

2011.

Assisting our nation’s law enforcement is at the core of our mission at the COPS Office. To advance this mission, 

it is essential that we engage with and listen to the field and adapt our approaches accordingly. Based on this 

valuable insight, in 2017 we partnered with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) to establish 

a technical assistance delivery center known as the Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center 

(CRI-TAC).

CRI-TAC brings together an unprecedented coalition of leading law enforcement organizations representing 

law enforcement executives, unions, and other public safety stakeholders. This collaboration ensures that CRITAC delivers tailored technical assistance that meets the needs of state, local, territorial, tribal, and campus law 

enforcement agencies in a “by the field, for the field” approach.

“Throughout a challenging year for the policing profession, the IACP is 

proud to have led the effort and work alongside our CRI-TAC partners to 

provide continuous support during a critical time of need. Our dynamic 

approach allowed us to rapidly retool to create tailored COVID-19 

resources, swiftly adapt to virtual training and technical assistance, and 

add new topic areas of assistance such as use of force. We look forward 

to continuing to deliver services in high impact areas of need, helping law 

enforcement and the communities they serve.”

—Cynthia Renaud, President, IACP
4 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

CRI-TAC benefits from the expertise of an impressive coalition of law enforcement organizations including the 

following (see figure 1; see “About the CRI-TAC Partners” on page 49 for summaries of each of the partners):

Figure 1. Coalition of CRI-TAC partners

The COPS Office provides support, resources, and assistance to law enforcement agencies nationwide by using 

this “by the field, for the field” model. Solutions are designed by IACP, partners, and subject matter experts 

(SME) from the field in a collaborative manner with the agency to address their unique needs. Customizing 

the technical assistance for each agency ensures that the assistance is timely, relevant, and field-driven. The 

program is a public service and offered at no cost to the requesting agency.

Introducing Major County Sheriffs of America

In September of 2020, the COPS Office announced the addition of the Major County Sheriffs of America 

(MCSA) to the CRI-TAC partnership. MCSA represents the largest elected sheriffs’ offices in the United 

States. Since the association’s engagement, it has played a major role in supporting the development of 

technical assistance solutions to law enforcement, corrections, and communities across the country.

CRI-TAC brings together the collective leadership, expertise, and resources from these partnering organizations 

and their more than 420,000 members2

 to ensure it is meeting the complex and varying needs of the field.

2. U.S. Department of Justice, “Attorney General Sessions Provides Further Support for Local Law Enforcement with Launch of 

New Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center,” press release, March 15, 2018, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/

attorney-general-sessions-provides-further-support-local-law-enforcement-launch-new.
Introduction

5

“Most recently, professional law enforcement has been challenged as never 

before. Social unrest combined with a pandemic has stressed our resources 

to its limit. The mechanisms already put in place by the CRI-TAC initiative 

allowed us all to pivot in a timely manner to address these challenges with 

collaborative solutions. It was the best way for labor and management to 

collaborate on positive solutions to some of the most difficult issues facing 

law enforcement today.”

— Patrick Yoes, National President, FOP

Technical assistance services

Through CRI-TAC, we provide multifaceted technical assistance through one or more services including referral 

to high-quality resources vetted by CRI-TAC, partners, and SMEs from the field; web-based training; virtual 

consultation; in-person training and exercises; facilitation of meetings among key agency stakeholders; policy 

assistance; and in-depth on-site consultation. 

• Resource referral. Provide requestor with guides, documentation, toolkits, reports, and other relevant 

publications on selected topics.

• Web-based training. Provide pre-recorded webinars, live online training, and virtual information briefings.

• In-person training. Deliver live direct training or train-the-trainer courses, customized for the needs of 

the agency.

• Virtual coaching and consultation. Facilitate peer-to-peer exchanges with leading experts to share 

information and promising practices via telephone, videoconference, and web-based meeting spaces.

• Meeting facilitation. Support meetings among agency personnel and other public and private sector 

stakeholders.

• Policy assistance. Assist in reviewing current or developing new policies.

• On-site consultation. Collaborate with agency leadership and other law enforcement personnel to 

provide guidance on promising and emerging practices to deliver tailored solutions.
6 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

“Law enforcement deserves highly trained personnel equipped with the 

decision-making skills required to handle the increasingly complex calls 

for service that officers face nationwide. Through CRI-TAC, we are able to 

meet this demand by assisting law enforcement leaders with implementing 

a science-based approach to training and education.”

— Mike Becar, Executive Director, IADLEST

64 subject-matter experts 

engaged in 2020

CRI-TAC staff, partner organizations, and SMEs stand ready to deliver on a broad range of technical assistance 

topics. The example topics in the following list were designed to cover the spectrum of policy, training, 

operational, strategic, administrative, managerial, and leadership needs for the field to continue advancing the 

policing profession. As needed, we will continue to refine and add to this list. Agencies may request assistance 

in any of the pre-identified topics or reach out to CRI-TAC to explore additional topics of assistance that may 

not fit neatly into a distinct category.

• Active Shooter Response

• Animal Crimes

• Community Engagement

• Crime Analysis

• Crisis Intervention

• De-escalation

• Domestic Violence Reduction and Prevention

• Drug Abuse Prevention

• Drug and Human Trafficking Interdictions Team

• Drug-related Crime

• Elder Abuse
Introduction 7

• Focused Deterrence

• Gangs

• Gun Violence Reduction and Prevention

• Hate Crimes

• Homeless Populations

• Human Trafficking

• Intelligence and Information Sharing

• Interpersonal Violence

• Leadership

• Management and Supervision

• Mass Casualty Response

• Mass Demonstration Response

• Modern Police Performance Management (e.g. CompStat)

• Officer Safety and Wellness

• Private Sector Coordination and Partnerships

• Proactive Policing

• Problem Solving Techniques

• Prosecution Coordination and Partnerships

• Public Sector Coordination and Partnerships

• Recruitment, Hiring, and Retention

• School Safety

• Shared Service Models

• Traffic Safety

• Unmanned Aerial Systems

• Use of Force

• Violent Crime Reduction and Prevention

• Youth Engagement
8 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

Evolving to Meet the Needs of the Field on Use of Force

In 2020, CRI-TAC expanded its technical assistance offerings to include the topic of use of force. 

In response to requests from the field, use of force joined other highly requested topics including 

community engagement, de-escalation, mass demonstration response, officer safety and wellness, and 

school safety. Technical assistance on use of force includes the following:

• Offering training and awareness on best and promising practices, including offering peer-to-peer 

exchanges to share those practices

• Reviewing and providing tailored guidance on an agency’s policies, procedures, and training

• Training and guidance on how to conduct use of force investigations

• Developing a calibrated use of force investigation process tailored to the type and size of the agency

• Addressing how to handle complaints as well as how to follow-up complaints to ensure investigations 

are safe and accountable

“The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) 

applauds the Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center 

(CRI-TAC) program in serving more than 450 law enforcement agencies 

since 2018. World class technical assistance has been provided in areas such 

as community engagement, de-escalation, recruitment/retention, and a host 

of other topics. It has been NOBLE’s honor and privilege to be an integral 

part of CRI-TAC in delivering cost-effective resources to the field.”

— Dwayne A. Crawford, Executive Director, NOBLE
Introduction 9

In recognition of the unique challenges tribal law enforcement must address to provide their communities with 

public safety services, CRI-TAC continues to provide tribal-specific assistance in addition to the general topics:

•	 Child Abuse

•	 Community Policing and Problem Solving in a Tribal Setting

•	 Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) in a Tribal Setting

•	 Crime Scene Processing

•	 Cross-Deputization and Regional Partnerships (including Public Law 280 considerations)

•	 Domestic Violence in Tribal Communities

•	 Drug Endangered Children in a Tribal Setting

•	 Drug Identification and Response

•	 Evidence Collection and Storage

•	 Hiring and Recruitment of Native American Officers

•	 Human Trafficking in Indian Country

•	 Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Response (training, protocols, engagement)

•	 School and Campus Safety in Tribal Communities

•	 Security and Law Enforcement Partnerships

•	 Sexual Assault in Tribal Communities

•	 Tribal Law Enforcement

•	 Tribal Law Enforcement Leadership

•	 Tribal Youth Partnerships

Targeted Outreach to Tribal Communities

Throughout 2020, CRI-TAC made a special effort to provide targeted outreach to tribal communities 

through virtual presentations, newsletters, and email blasts. COPS Office and CRI-TAC staff and partners 

included the following presentations:

• On November 4, 2020, CRI-TAC provided an overview of CRI-TAC and tribal-specific offerings to the 

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) coordinators through the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices.

• On December 8, 2020, DOJ held an orientation for the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation 

(CTAS) award recipients during which CRI-TAC representatives introduced CRI-TAC and its offerings.

Moving into 2021, CRI-TAC will continue to provide targeted outreach to tribal communities, especially 

with the launch of the trainings to address missing persons cases (see “Translating training to address 

tribal missing persons cases” section on page 46).
10 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

“At every level and for every agency, CRI-TAC delivers on its unique ‘by 

the field, for the field’ commitment to serving diverse law enforcement 

agencies across the country. The Major County Sheriffs of America is 

proud to collaborate as a partner in the important effort to connect 

recipients with the customized training needed to improve public safety in 

communities large and small.”

— Kimberly Wagner, Executive Director, MCSA

As with tribal policing, CRI-TAC partners NSA and MCSA are integral to understanding the challenges that 

sheriffs face. Sheriffs can access assistance on any of the general example topics as well as the following 

sheriff-specific topics:

• Analytics

• Border Security

• Civil Process

• Corrections/Jail Operations

• Court Security

• Interdiction Teams

• Prisoner Transport

• Technology

“This will help in our community partnerships in the rural areas. There is 

a collegial approach in supporting the small law enforcement agencies, 

especially when they have miles of roadways and an inability to travel to 

the incident due to the long distance. Our agency partners with rural law 

enforcement agencies in training, grant writing, and other special services 

that the rural agencies cannot afford. The training offered perspectives as 

well as contacts if the rural agencies are interested in contacting one of 

the presenting agencies.”

— Training feedback from Colorado State Patrol
Introduction 11

About this report

This report highlights the work of CRI-TAC since the release of the second annual report3 in May of 2020. In 

the following sections, the reader will find program performance metrics, case studies, and testimonials on the 

impact of CRI-TAC. The report provides a description of the intake process and concludes with an overview of 

activities taking place in 2021. The report also highlights a special initiative in 2020 focused on COVID-19.

Agencies interested in submitting a request will experience a process that is low-burden, efficient, and designed 

to best address their needs while maintaining local control and decision-making.

“During these trying times, the CRI-TAC project provides state, local, and 

tribal law enforcement agencies an invaluable source of outstanding 

consultation, education, and training. These offerings, provided by nationally 

known subject matter experts, provide cutting-edge technical services that 

benefit not only their departments but their communities as well.”

— Howard Cook, Executive Director, FBI National Academy Associates, Inc.

3. COPS Office, Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field: Collaborative Reform Second Annual Review (see note 1).

Program Performance

This section presents a collection of facts and figures in addition to a series of eight case studies, which 

demonstrate the program’s progress and the types of assistance provided to agencies that have participated.

“The training and technical assistance services made possible through CRITAC are of great benefit to campus law enforcement agencies and IACLEA 

members throughout the United States. IACLEA is proud to work with its 

peer police member associations and to serve as a partner on CRI-TAC.”

— John Bernhards, Executive Director, IACLEA

Technical assistance facts and figures

CRI-TAC has fielded a total of 465 inquires since the program’s inception, accounting for both primary requests 

and peer agency additions.4

 CRI-TAC has delivered on 446 (95.9 percent) of the total requests for technical 

assistance. Among the requesting agencies that did not receive assistance, 12 withdrew their requests based 

on local circumstances, six were referred to other resources that could better meet their needs, and one 

was declined because the request was outside the scope of the program. As of February 1, 2021, 307 law 

enforcement agencies (66.0 percent of requests) had completed technical assistance engagements.5

 We 

are currently working with 90 agencies (19.4 percent of requests) and have engagements pending with an 

additional 49 agencies (10.5 percent of requests). Figure 2 on page 14 illustrates the status of all requests 

fielded since the program’s inception.

4. A primary requestor is an agency that initially contacts CRI-TAC and requests assistance, and a peer agency addition 

is an agency that did not initially contact CRI-TAC but participated in the technical assistance by invitation of the primary 

requestor, CRI-TAC staff, or other law enforcement partners such as U.S. Attorneys’ Offices. Peer agency additions have greatly 

increased the number of agencies we have been able to assist, primarily through multiagency training engagements.

5. Throughout this report, “agencies” refers specifically to requesting agencies, counting each request separately, regardless of 

whether it comes from a new agency.
14 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

“The benefit of the CRI-TAC program to the policing profession cannot be 

overstated. The direct and customized technical assistance helps agencies 

of all sizes enhance services to the community. The flexibility of CRI-TAC 

to address a pressing issue allows police leadership to identify and act 

upon areas of self-identified gaps contributing to improved performance. 

This proactive approach helps to build relationship within the community. 

NAWLEE is certainly proud to contribute to this innovation.”

— Kym Craven, Executive Director, NAWLEE

Figure 2. Status of technical assistance requests

Rejected

<1%

Referred

1%

Withdrawn

3%

TA pending

11%

TA in progress

19%

TA completed

66%

Overall, the five most popular topics which agencies have sought to address through Collaborative Reform are 

as follows:

1. De-escalation

2. Active Shooter Response

3. Recruitment, Hiring, and Retention

4. Community Engagement

5. Officer Safety and Wellness
Program Performance 15

“The CRI-TAC project is a great opportunity for law enforcement agencies. 

They can access some exceptional training from a variety of exemplary 

partner organizations through collaboration with the COPS Office. The 

technical assistance is tailored for each agency, which ensures their 

specific needs are met. This is a unique benefit for the requesting agency. 

The National Tactical Officer’s Association is proud to be associated with 

the CRI-TAC program.”

— Buck Rogers, Training Program Manager, NTOA

We deliver services to the field through a multifaceted and collaborative method. Most technical assistance 

engagements involve more than one type of service. Despite the national pandemic, CRI-TAC held 57 technical 

assistance events (virtually or in person) across all active sites in 2020. Throughout the challenges of COVID-19, 

CRI-TAC rapidly and seamlessly shifted to a virtual approach to ensure effective support to meet the needs of 

the field.

Figure 3. Types of agencies participating in collaborative reform

Other

3%

Sheriff

15%

State

4%

Tribal

2%

Campus

12% Local

62%
16 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

Law enforcement agencies of diverse types, sizes, and geographies have participated in the program. Many of 

the agencies had never received technical assistance from the DOJ prior to their involvement in this initiative. 

Most agencies participating in Collaborative Reform, like most agencies nationally, were local municipal police 

departments (63.7 percent). Sheriffs’ offices make up 14.8 percent of TA participants, while campus agencies 

make up 12.6 percent, tribal 16 percent, and state agencies 4.5 percent (see figure 3 on page 15).6

Figure 4. Size of agencies participating in collaborative reform Number of sworn personnel

Number of agencies

500–999

100–499

1,000+

0–49

0 50 100 150 200 250

50–99

226

59

96

27

37

The size of agencies receiving technical assistance from CRI-TAC ranges from those with just one or two sworn 

personnel to large agencies with 500 or more. As is the case nationally, most CRI-TAC agencies (50.8 percent) 

have fewer than 50 sworn personnel. Mid-size and large agencies with 100 to 499 sworn personnel represent 

the second-greatest number of those receiving technical assistance from CRI-TAC at 21.6 percent. Figure 4 

shows a complete breakdown of agency size. In all, agencies participating in CRI-TAC boast a combined force 

size of more than 307,000 officers and deputies serving a population of more than 385,540,000 in communities 

throughout the United States.7

 Participating agencies cover 47 states and territories including Washington, 

D.C., Puerto Rico, and Guam (see figure 5 for the top 20 states).

6. Thirteen agencies are categorized as “other” agency type; they are transit/airport, investigative, and probation agencies.

7. This population figure exceeds the current estimated U.S. population because it includes territories and because many 

individuals are served by more than one law enforcement agency.
Program Performance 17

Figure 5. Top 20 states by participating agencies

CRI-TAC consistently collects data to measure effectiveness of and participants’ satisfaction with the delivery 

of services. All training and webinar participants receive a survey about their CRI-TAC training experience and 

provide voluntary feedback. As illustrated in figure 6 on page 18, performance of the instructor(s) met the 

needs and expectations of agencies 93 percent of the time (70 percent strongly agree and 23 percent agree). 

The course met the agency needs and expectations 91 percent of the time (58 percent strongly agree and 33 

percent agree) (see figure 7 on page 18). Figure 8 on page 19 shows that 94 percent of agencies (58 percent 

strongly agree and 34 percent agree) stated that the training was effective in meeting the goals and objectives 

of the course. To date, CRI-TAC has provided training to 1,945 agency personnel, of whom 335 (17 percent) 

have responded to the training survey.

“All instructors were well versed in all aspects of analytics and data in the 

field of law enforcement. All had valuable institutional knowledge in the 

field, were very well prepared, encouraged participation, and clearly relayed 

all training objectives to the class, based on experience, which is a plus.”

— Feedback from an IADLEST Building Analytics Training Participant
18 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

Figure 6. CRI-TAC training evaluation: Overall, the performance of the instructor(s) met my needs and 

expectations

Strongly disagree

1% Disagree

1%

Neutral

5%

Agree

23%

Strongly agree

70%

Strongly disagree

1% Disagree

2%

Neutral

10%

Agree

33%

Strongly agree

54%

Figure 7. CRI-TAC Training Evaluation: Overall, the course met my needs and expectations
Program Performance 19

Figure 8. CRI-TAC training evaluation: Overall, the course is effective in meeting its goals and objectives

Trainees also selected whether their knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) in the training subject is advanced, 

intermediate, basic, little, or no skills before and after the training. Of 335 participants providing a training 

evaluation, a majority reported moving up one or more KSA level (see figure 9 on page 20). Forty-eight percent 

(n = 160) moved up one level, while 9 percent (n = 31) moved up two levels, and 1 percent (n = 4) moved up 

three levels. Forty-one percent (n = 137) reported no change in their KSAs after completing the training. And 

fewer than 1 percent (n = 3) reported moving down 1 KSA level.

Strongly disagree

1% Disagree

1%

Neutral

7%

Agree

34%

Strongly agree

58%
20 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

Figure 9. CRI-TAC training evaluation: Change in KSA

Moved up 2 KSA

9% Moved up 3 KSA

1%

No change

41%

Moved up 1 KSA

48%

Moved down 1 KSA

<1%

CRI-TAC sends a customer satisfaction survey link to all closed-out primary requesting agencies to gather 

information about their knowledge, perceptions, and outlooks relating to the receipt of CRI-TAC services. 

Like the training survey, this voluntary information helps CRI-TAC continually assess the delivery of technical 

assistance. A total of 28 participants, representing 26 TA recipient agencies, have responded to the survey at 

the time of this report’s production. As illustrated in figure 10 on page 21, the majority of responding agencies 

strongly agree or agree that the technical assistance provided met their agency expectations, was relevant to 

their identified problem and relevant to their agency, and helped their agency address the problem. None of the 

responding agencies selected disagree or strongly disagree. 
Program Performance 21

Figure 10. Overall results from the CRI-TAC customer satisfaction survey

Overall, the assistance provided will

help my agency address its problem.

Overall, the assistance provided 

was relevant to my agency.

Overall, the assistance provided 

was relevant to the problem.

Overall, the assistance provided 

met my agency’s expectations.

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree

3.5% 17.8% 78.6%

25% 75%

3.5% 21.4% 75%

7.1% 25% 67.9%

The client satisfaction survey also asks a series of questions regarding the TA recipient’s experience with 

CRI-TAC. Responses to each question are provided in the appendix. Here, we provide composite scores of the 

domains listed. The scores represent the total responses to all survey questions that fall within each domain 

(see figure 11 on page 22):

1. Process – measures whether the technical assistance is timely, easy to navigate, and a minimal burden to 

the agency

2. Informational Resources – measures whether the informational resources provided to the agency were 

high quality, relevant to the problem and agency, and useful

3. CRI-TAC Staff – measures whether the CRI-TAC staff met agency expectations and were informed about 

the process, responsive, well organized, and prepared

4. Subject Matter Experts – measures whether the SMEs met agency expectations, had experience and 

expertise relevant to the problem and the agency, and were well organized and prepared

5. Technical Assistance Provided – measures whether the technical assistance met the agency’s expectations, 

was relevant to the problem and agency, and helped address the problem
22 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

Figure 11. Customer satisfaction composite scores

Process composite

score

0%

0%

0%

4%

18%

78%

Informational 

resources

 composite score

4%

0%

0%

4%

31%

62%

CRI-TAC staff

composite score

0%

0%

0%

4%

19%

77%

Subject matter

expert

 composite score

0%

0%

0%

5%

23%

73%

Technical assistance

provided

 composite score

0%

0%

0%

4%

22%

77%

Not applicable Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree

Strongly disagree

Not applicable

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly agree

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Percent of agencies responding

Finally, CRI-TAC sends a long-term impact survey link to all closed-out primary requesting agencies six months 

after the initial customer satisfaction survey. The goal is to better understand the lasting impact of the 

technical assistance on their knowledge, perceptions, and outlooks. One of the pillars of community policing 

is organizational transformation, so it is important to the COPS Office to determine whether the technical 

assistance contributes to culture change. Like the previous surveys, this voluntary information helps CRITAC continually assess the delivery of technical assistance. However, to date, just 12 respondents from 10 TA 

recipient agencies have responded to the survey. At this time, the limited data available are not a sufficient 

barometer for overall program impact.
Program Performance 23

Overall, agencies generally agree or strongly agree that CRI-TAC assistance has enabled them to meet several 

long-term impact goals:

• Greater capacity to address the problem

• Greater knowledge to address the problem

• Improved policies

• Improved practices

• Improved training

• Improvements are sustained

Figure 12 provides the responses to the long-term post impact survey.

Figure 12. Long-term impact survey responses

The improvements made as a result of the 

technical assistance have been sustained

My agency has greater capacity

to address the problem

My agency has greater knowledge

to address the problem

My agency has improved its overall

effectiveness in addressing the problem

My agency has improved its training as a 

result of the technical assistance provided

My agency has improved its practices as

a result of the technical assistance provided

My agency has improved its policies as

a result of the technical assistance provided

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Not applicable Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree

25% 8% 17% 50%

17% 17% 50% 17%

25% 25% 33% 17%

17% 17% 8%

17%

58%

17% 17% 58% 8%

17% 25% 33% 25%

17% 67%
24 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

CRI-TAC map of completed technical assistance sites

Primary Requestor – an agency that initially contacts CRI-TAC and requests assistance

Peer Agency Addition – an agency that did not initially contact CRI-TAC but participated in the technical 

assistance by invitation of the primary requestor, CRI-TAC staff, or other law enforcement partners such 

as U.S. Attorneys’ Offices

Technical assistance summaries 

The following sections include eight summaries on technical assistance engagements. From in-depth briefings 

by SMEs to multiagency training opportunities on critical topics in law enforcement today, these summaries 

illustrate the diverse types of assistance law enforcement agencies are benefiting from through CRI-TAC.
Program Performance 25

Enhancing crime analysis capabilities to improve predictive policing

1. CRI-TAC profile: Corpus Christi (Texas) Police Department

Agency size: 446 sworn

Population served (est.): 440,000

Topic(s): Crime Analysis

Technical assistance: Resource referral, virtual coaching/mentoring, on-site consultation

Status: Complete

The Corpus Christi (Texas) Police Department (CCPD) approached the CRI-TAC for guidance on improving its 

crime analysis capabilities with the goal of making better use of its predictive policing capabilities as well 

enhancing their data output processes to provide real-time information to patrol officers.

One SME conducted virtual consultations with the agency’s three analysts to perform a task analysis to 

determine what their day-to-day duties and workflow include, the technology they use, and how they 

disseminate their work product. The virtual consultation was followed by an on-site visit during which the 

SME and CRI-TAC partner IADLEST further reviewed the analysts’ work products, discussed common issues and 

challenges in crime analysis for the agency, and identified areas for enhancement.

“Ultimately, because of the technical assistance provided, patrol officers will 

be able to work more effectively using crime analysis to better serve the 

Corpus Christi community.”

— Mark Schauer, Assistant Chief, Corpus Christi (TX) Police Department

As requested by the CCPD, the SME constructed an agency deliverable that included considerations for current 

and future CCPD leaders to implement promising practices to enhance the crime analysis function, increase 

communication within the agency, and provide actionable intelligence products.

Finally, to enhance the technical assistance, the CRI-TAC sponsored one CCPD analyst to attend the International 

Association of Crime Analysts conference. The conference allowed the CCPD to explore diverse training tracks 

offering investigative analysis; social media; research and methodology; crime mapping; and tactical, strategic, 

administrative, and intelligence analysis. The CCPD took away new knowledge on tactics and strategies for 

improved success at the individual analyst and organization level. The CCPD analyst networked with peers from 

other agencies receiving CRI-TAC data analysis technical assistance during daily debriefs on site.
26 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

CRI-TAC SME assisting CCPD on analytics

Advancing a strategic plan to improve community engagement

2. CRI-TAC profile: Parsons (Kansas) Police Department

Agency size: 26 sworn

Population served (est.): 12,000

Topic(s): Community policing, community engagement

Technical assistance: Resource referral, virtual coaching/mentoring, on-site consultation

Status: Complete

In support of the Parsons (Kansas) Police Department (PPD) mission statement, the department requested 

assistance to build upon its current community policing efforts by developing a strategic plan encompassing 

stakeholder input and best practices for community engagement. PPD Chief Robert Spinks sought to establish 

a culture of transparency and accountability while working with community residents to identify problems and 

collaborate on implementing solutions that produce meaningful results.
Program Performance 27

PPD all-hands meeting

The CRI-TAC assigned two SMEs to remotely review the PPD’s current efforts and activities to identify potential 

gaps that diverged from the desired agency outcomes. One SME then worked alongside Chief Spinks to conduct 

an on-site SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis with agency staff and a separate 

SWOT analysis during a community working group to focus on external factors. Through these sessions, the PPD 

established relationships with the community and identified strategies for demonstrating transparency.

Using the information gathered during the review phase and on site, both SMEs (including a survey 

methodologist) provided sample community surveys and survey guidance to assist with the development of a 

community survey for the department. The outcome was a formatted survey that included questions related to 

the identification of community concerns, community safety, community engagement, perceptions of police 

effectiveness, perceptions of police activities, and overall satisfaction with police. The survey was tailored and 

customized to the PPD’s specific needs, and the agency planned to disseminate the survey to the Parsons 

community following the technical assistance.

“Although already on track to improve the agency, the technical assistance 

helped validate the direction PPD was taking and the programs being 

implemented. As a smaller agency, the validation paved the way to obtain 

support from the community and local officials.”

— Robert Spinks, Chief, Parsons (KS) Police Department
28 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

As requested by the PPD, the SMEs constructed an agency deliverable that included considerations for current 

and future PPD leaders to implement promising practices for enriching the community engagement initiatives 

of the agency. Chief Spinks used the agency deliverable as a reference for creating the PPD’s community 

policing strategic plan that commenced January 2021.

Building analytical capacity for a Real-Time Crime Center

3. CRI-TAC profile: Charles County (Maryland) Sheriff’s Office

Agency size: 310 sworn

Population served (est.): 160,000

Topic(s): Crime analysis, modern police performance management

Technical assistance: Resource referral, in-person training, virtual coaching/mentoring

Status: Complete

The Charles County (Maryland) Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) created a five-year plan to develop a Real-Time Crime 

Center (RTCC) and reached out to the CRI-TAC for assistance in building up its analytical capacity. The CRI-TAC 

coordinated the Building Analytical Capacity: A Workshop for Law Enforcement Executives training from CRITAC partner IADLEST. This training was provided to 31 total participants from four surrounding agencies in the 

southern Maryland region.

Following the workshop, one SME provided remote consultation on constructing a roadmap as a model 

framework for developing an RTCC, including considerations for personnel skills, training, and structure; 

assignment breakdown; professional organizations and networks for mentoring and problem solving; 

technology requirements and planning; strategic camera system approach; facility design features; regional 

information sharing; agency strategic input; and future needs.

Since the delivery of the customized technical assistance, the CCSO has used the roadmap throughout the 

development of the RTCC to build out the physical space and obtain the necessary technology. The agency 

also continues to use the roadmap as the RTCC is staffed and the work product grows. The RTCC has become 

the hub of the organization, and agency leadership employs the information learned through the CRI-TAC to 

inform next steps and decision-making—all resulting in positive outcomes.
Program Performance 29

Formalizing a mentoring program to promote inclusiveness

4. CRI-TAC profile: North Richland Hills (Texas) Police Department

Agency size: 114 sworn

Population served (est.): 70,441

Topic(s): Leadership, officer safety and wellness

Technical assistance: Resource referral, in-person training, virtual coaching/mentoring, agency peer 

exchange

Status: Complete

The North Richland Hills (Texas) Police Department (NRHPD) requested guidance to formalize its employee 

mentoring program to include information on program parameters, policies, and selection of and training for 

mentors. Formalizing NRHPD’s existing informal employee mentoring program would provide all employees the 

opportunity and benefit of mentoring while promoting loyalty and inclusiveness within the organization.

CRI-TAC partner NAWLEE provided its formal mentor program training course, which includes identifying goals, 

creating structure and procedures, and defining roles and responsibilities. Using the NAWLEE training program 

as a foundation, the CRI-TAC assigned two SMEs to guide NRHPD in the development and implementation 

of their mentor program. The SMEs hosted a webinar presentation to address important topics of mentoring, 

including transitioning from an informal mentoring program to a formal program; recruiting members to join 

the mentoring team; properly matching mentees with mentors, both internally and externally; specified roles 

according to the needs of those within the agency; tracking metrics; and identifying challenges and successes.

At the same time, to address the officer safety and wellness (OSW) request, the CRI-TAC sponsored one 

individual from NRHPD to attend the IACP’s OSW Symposium in Miami, Florida, from February 27–29, 2020. 

Throughout the conference, the attendee learned about promising practices in OSW through exposure to 

national and international trends and elevated the vision of enhanced support for OSW in the NRHPD. The 

individual participated in the CRI-TAC and Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) 

National Peer Exchange with 25 other agencies that included facilitated tabletop discussions about employee 

assistance programs, family wellness, peer support, and suicide prevention.
30 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

Facilitating a rapid peer exchange to assist in the preparation for mass 

demonstrations

5. CRI-TAC profile: Rochester (New York) Police Department

Agency size: 722 sworn

Population served (est.): 209,000

Topic(s): Mass demonstrations

Technical assistance: Agency peer exchange

Status: In progress

The Rochester (New York) Police Department (RPD) requested rapid assistance with response plans for mass 

demonstrations and counterdemonstrations. The CRI-TAC assigned one facilitator and three peer agency 

personnel to participate in a phone call with RPD leadership and command staff. This approach was identified 

and adopted within a two-week timeframe because of the RPD’s need for rapid technical assistance. The virtual 

peer-to-peer agency exchange provided information sharing and considerations for promising practices to 

the RPD to prepare for anticipated demonstrations and counterdemonstrations from colleagues with lived 

experience. Since the peer exchange, CRI-TAC is preparing to assist the agency in another requested topic: 

leadership development.

“Knowledge gained from the expertise during the virtual peer exchange 

was extraordinary. CRI-TAC moved so quickly to get things in place to 

assist the Rochester Police Department.”

— Andre C. Anderson, Executive Deputy Chief, Rochester (NY) Police Department
Program Performance 31

Developing strong community engagement practices to strengthen campus 

community

6. CRI-TAC profile: University of California, Berkeley Police Department

Agency size: 50 sworn

Population served (est.): 60,000

Topic(s): Community engagement

Technical assistance: Resource referral, virtual coaching/mentoring, on-site consultation

Status: In progress

The University of California, Berkeley Police Department (UCPD) reached out to CRI-TAC for assistance in 

strengthening its relationships with the campus community. Specifically, the UCPD wanted a review of 

department policies and protocols on engagement while also seeking guidance in developing and enhancing 

community engagement practices and strategies.

The CRI-TAC assigned one SME to assist the UCPD in implementing promising practices for community 

engagement. The SME reviewed current agency policies and procedures related to community engagement; 

discussed promising practices for building trust within the community, both the campus community and the 

surrounding community; and discussed a path toward enhancing engagement strategies.

As part of the technical assistance, the SME and UCPD command staff facilitated virtual meetings with a 

multicultural stakeholder group and the Independent Advisory Board (IAB). Virtual meetings also occurred 

between CRI-TAC and the Community Engagement Unit (CEU), the UCPD command staff, and the UCPD 

sergeants. These meetings addressed questions about the UCPD’s legitimacy, community engagement, and 

recommendations for the UCPD’s future.

The virtual facilitated meetings with the UCPD command staff, personnel, and CEU conveyed a clear picture of 

the overall philosophy of community policing within UCPD. The meetings with the IAB and the multicultural 

stakeholder group assisted the CRI-TAC in better understanding how the UCPD is positioned within the 

campus and community environments. The information gathered throughout the technical assistance will aid 

in the development of written considerations based on national standards and procedures to enhance UCPD 

community engagement efforts.
32 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

Strengthening investigative techniques to improve domestic violence response 

7. CRI-TAC profile: San Antonio (Texas) Police Department

Agency size: 2,463 sworn

Population served (est.): 1.5 million

Topic(s): Community engagement, domestic violence reduction and prevention, public sector coordination 

and partnerships, violent crime reduction and prevention

Technical assistance: Resource referral, in-person training, virtual coaching/mentoring, on-site consultation

Status: In progress

The San Antonio (Texas) Police Department (SAPD) prioritized addressing domestic violence and requested technical 

assistance to enhance its ability to effectively prevent, identify, and investigate incidents of domestic violence. 

Through a multitier approach, the CRI-TAC is equipping front-line and specialty unit personnel with training and 

providing resources to ensure efficient and effective delivery of service in line with best practice models.

The CRI-TAC assigned three SMEs with trauma-informed expertise in domestic violence response, prevention, 

and prosecution. Leveraging the SMEs’ knowledge, the CRI-TAC is providing a review of current domestic 

violence reduction efforts, policies, training modules, and materials from the SAPD. Special emphasis is placed 

on reviewing policies and tools used with victims and community-based advocacy partnerships that impact 

the response and investigation of domestic violence-related incidents. The review is focusing on identifying 

gaps and considerations for enhancement, ensuring the existing tools encompass appropriate and updated 

evidence-based practices for effective usability by responding personnel. To date, the SMEs have provided 

virtual presentations to SAPD personnel about liability, policy, and language.

The CRI-TAC has also assisted the SAPD in the development of learning objectives and customized in-service 

training for all SAPD sworn personnel. Once developed, the SMEs conducted a virtual Predominant Aggressor 

Training for command representatives, specialty unit supervisors, and representatives from the District 

Attorney’s Office. Goals of this training included ensuring collaboration and proficiency for SAPD instructors to 

deliver customized in-service training content on this topic to SAPD personnel.

Moving forward, the SMEs will deliver a customized two-day training to the Special Victims Unit and Crisis 

Response Team. The training for specialty units is designed to strengthen their interactions with victims and 

develop skills when responding to crimes of domestic and family violence. Finally, the SMEs will deliver the 

IACP’s National Law Enforcement First Line Supervisor Training on Violence Against Women for SAPD first-line 

supervisors. The training will focus on individuals who oversee first responders to explore current approaches to 

responding to and investigating crimes of domestic violence.
Program Performance 33

Increasing recruitment, hiring, and retention efforts to expand diversity

8. CRI-TAC profile: Washington State Patrol

Agency size: 1,100 sworn

Population served (est.): 7.536 million

Topic(s): Recruitment, hiring, and retention

Technical assistance: Resource referral, virtual coaching/mentoring, on-site consultation

Status: In progress

To better represent the communities in Washington State, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) requested 

assistance with increasing diversity in its recruitment, hiring, and retention practices. The WSP’s goal was to 

learn promising practices and strategies from other statewide agencies that have had success in this area.

The CRI-TAC assigned two SMEs to work with the agency in a remote-consultation capacity to understand the 

hiring and retention history of the agency and its current efforts, policies, and goals pertaining to increasing 

diversity. The SMEs used state and national police policy models and best practice solutions to identify 

successes and potential gaps.

After a review of the WSP’s current recruitment policies and procedures, the SMEs compiled a resource 

guidebook of practitioner-based literature about diversity in recruitment and retention. This guidebook 

provided a variety of model policies and best practices, functioning as the foundation of a resource library for 

WSP. In addition, the guidebook will be modified to fit a general audience and will be made available to the 

field as a broader deliverable.

Upon completion of the remote consultation, the SMEs will provide a briefing presentation for agency 

leadership and recruiting and hiring personnel. The presentation will provide lessons for the agency, analysis 

of the literature from the guidebook, and guidance and considerations that will aid in enhancing the WSP’s 

outreach efforts to reach a more diverse and qualified applicant pool.
34 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

“CRI-TAC connects law enforcement agencies and their support 

associations in a collaborative environment to solve today’s most complex 

policing challenges. CRI-TAC and its partners were instrumental in 

supporting the Washington State Patrol’s innovative recruitment and 

retention goals in underserved communities across the state leading to the 

most diverse recruit class in agency history.”

— Jason L. Ashley, Captain, Washington State Patrol
Responding to COVID-19

In early 2020, the United States began responding to the person-to person spread of respiratory illness caused 

by a novel coronavirus: coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which quickly evolved into a pandemic.8

 The 

COPS Office recognized that law enforcement needed rapid assistance and resources to address COVID-19, and 

by mid-March, the CRI-TAC had mobilized to provide this support. At the time of this publication, CRI-TAC has 

responded and will continue to respond to the needs of agencies during the COVID-19 crisis throughout 2021 

by providing direct technical assistance, facilitating information sharing, developing resources, hosting remote 

agency exchanges, and tracking and reporting on the pandemic’s impact on law enforcement.

Information sharing

Throughout the pandemic, especially in the spring of 2020, CRI-TAC partners actively worked with the Centers 

for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on guidance and information, especially regarding jails.

Through CRI-TAC, the NSA immediately provided resources and assistance to sheriffs and jail administrators 

on COVID-19. Through this work, the NSA established a team of SMEs (COVID-19 Communication Cell) that 

developed a COVID-19 information clearinghouse on the NSA website9

 of all pertinent resources as well as 

facilitating conference calls and hosting webinars to promote information sharing with the field. The NSA 

created numerous resources on topics such as jail mitigation, scams/fraud, and personal protective equipment 

for wide dissemination. 

8. “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19),” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last modified April 7, 2020, 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/summary.html.

9. “Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information,” National Sheriffs’ Association, accessed February 25, 2021, 

https://www.sheriffs.org/coronavirus.
36 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

Example of a scam alert developed by NSA for law enforcement agencies

From March 6 to July 15, 2020, the COVID-19 Communication Cell provided updates to the 42 state sheriffs’ 

associations with actionable information and relevant news clips, including 257 real-time email updates and 

scam alert infographics. To further the information sharing, on March 25, 2020, NSA began hosting weekly 

conference calls with the state sheriffs’ associations with the goal to provide information from SMEs and 

highlight specific states for virus response updates (ended on July 15, 2020).
Responding to COVID-19 37

18

5

state executive 

calls hosted by NSA

law enforcement webinars 

hosted by CRI-TAC for a total 

of 795 participants

“I want to send a heartfelt thanks for putting this webinar together as it 

filled the gaps of many questions that we needed answered. The webinar 

was very thorough and well organized.”

— Feedback from Stafford Act Webinar Participant

In 2020, CRI-TAC hosted the following COVID-19–specific webinars:

• On April 15, NSA led The Stafford Act and Other COVID-19 Funding Resources. The webinar focused on 

providing information and guidance on the federal grant process.10

• On July 28, IACLEA and IACP led a discussion on the pathway to dealing with the “new normal” on 

campuses through The Return to Campus and the New Normal.11

• On October 19, NSA took the lead on hosting Maintaining Morale During a Public Health Crisis, which 

focused on what sheriffs and other law enforcement leaders can do to help maintain and improve morale 

of personnel—both sworn and civilian—during a crisis.12

10. “The Stafford Act & Other COVID-19 Funding Resources,” webinar, National Sheriffs’ Association, accessed February 25, 

2021, https://sheriffs.org/ICYMI-COVID-19-Webinar-Recording.

11. “The Return to Campus and the New Normal,” webinar, International Association of Chiefs of Police, accessed February 25, 

2021, https://www.myiacp.org/COVID19resourcedetails?id=a3M3s000000hjNZEAY.

12. NSA (National Sheriffs’ Association), “Maintaining Morale during a Public Health Crisis,” webinar, International Association 

of Chiefs of Police, accessed February 25, 2021, https://www.myiacp.org/COVID19resourcedetails?id=a3M3s000000hkn2EAA.
38 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

• On October 27, How to Prevent a Global Crisis from Becoming a Personal One: Stress Management in 

High-Stress Times offered realistic practices and tips for first responders and their families to help address 

and manage stressors during a pandemic. This webinar was led by NSA with engagement from CRI-TAC 

partners IACP and FOP.13

• On December 3, Pandemic in the Prairies discussed the impact of COVID-19 on rural and small agencies’ 

operations, including patrol, jail operations, and court security. This webinar was hosted by NSA in 

partnership with IACP.14

“. . . I was pleasantly surprised by the passion with which he spoke 

and his excitement with the accomplishments. As this pandemic has 

continued and weighed on folks the sheriff was positive and energetic in 

presentation which in turn gave me some motivation!”

— Feedback from Maintaining Morale During a Public Health Crisis Webinar Participant

Resource development

In addition to the information sharing, CRI-TAC identified gaps in resources and rapidly developed eight 

guidance documents for law enforcement agencies:

• Considerations for Law Enforcement Encountering COVID-19–Related Deaths provides guidance to prepare 

law enforcement for the unfortunate situation of encountering a COVID-19–related unattended death.15

• HIPAA Considerations for Law Enforcement during the COVID-19 Pandemic breaks down the important 

information you need to know regarding the proper and legal disclosure to law enforcement of protected 

health information.16

• Law Enforcement and COVID-19 is a 28-page supplemental guide to the May 2020 issue of Police Chief

magazine that provides a snapshot of officer safety and wellness resources related to COVID-19.17

• Law Enforcement Officer Exposure to COVID-19 provides guidance in the event law enforcement are 

exposed to COVID-19.18

13. NSA, “How to Prevent a Global Crisis from Becoming a Personal One,” webinar, International Association of Chiefs of Police, 

accessed February 25, 2021, https://www.myiacp.org/COVID19resourcedetails?id=a3M3s000000hkmxEAA.

14. NSA, “Pandemic in the Prairies,” webinar, International Association of Chiefs of Police, accessed February 25, 2021, 

https://www.myiacp.org/COVID19resourcedetails?id=a3M3s000000hlAREAY.

15. CRI-TAC (Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center), Considerations for Law Enforcement Encountering 

COVID-19–Related Deaths (Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 2020), https://cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/

ric.php?page=detail&id=COPS-W0908.

16. CRI-TAC, HIPAA Considerations for Law Enforcement during the COVID-19 Pandemic (Washington, DC: Office of Community 

Oriented Policing Services, 2020), https://cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ric.php?page=detail&id=COPS-W0907.

17. IACP (International Association of Chiefs of Police), Law Enforcement and COVID-19 (Washington, DC: Office of Community 

Oriented Policing Services, 2020), https://cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ric.php?page=detail&id=COPS-W0905.

18. CRI-TAC, Law Enforcement Officer Exposure to COVID-19 (Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 

2020), https://cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ric.php?page=detail&id=COPS-W0906.
Responding to COVID-19 39

• Law Enforcement Officer Sickness with COVID-19 provides guidance in the event law enforcement contract 

COVID-19.19

• Line of Duty Deaths Due to COVID-19 provides a brief analysis of line of duty of deaths in 2020, specific to 

COVID-19.20

• Officer Wellness and Resiliency During the COVID-19 Pandemic provides guidance on officer mental and 

physical wellness.21

• Weekly Webinar and Innovations Summary provides weekly trainings, webinars, on-demand trainings, and 

innovations from the field available on COVID-19.22

Partnering with the National Police Foundation

On September 8, 2020, the COPS Office announced a CRI-TAC partnership with the National Police 

Foundation (NPF) to develop and share resources with the law enforcement community based on 

the continued impact of COVID-19. Using data from the real-time COVID-19 Law Enforcement Impact 

Dashboard* as well as through direct outreach with law enforcement and publicly available data, the NPF 

is creating a series of analysis briefs. 

The first brief, Line of Duty Deaths Due to COVID-19,† focused on an analysis of COVID-19 line-of-duty deaths 

paired with officer safety and wellness resources for law enforcement. The analysis found that COVID-19 

was the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths for law enforcement from March through July 2020 and 

underscored the importance of monitoring COVID-19–related safety implications for law enforcement. 

Moving into 2021, the NPF will be delving into analysis of domestic violence and recruitment, hiring, and 

retention data.

_______________________

* “COVID-19 Law Enforcement Impact Dashboard,” National Police Foundation, accessed February 25, 2021, 

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/783fae2f8c0c4759a3ae1ccb7ef51668/page/page_0/.

† CRI-TAC, Line of Duty Deaths Due to COVID-19 (see note 20).

19. CRI-TAC, Law Enforcement Officer Sickness with COVID-19 (Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 

2020), https://cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ric.php?page=detail&id=COPS-W0909.

20. CRI-TAC, Line of Duty Deaths Due to COVID-19 (Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 2020), 

https://cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ric.php?page=detail&id=COPS-W0902.

21. CRI-TAC, Officer Wellness and Resiliency during the COVID-19 Pandemic (Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented 

Policing Services, 2020), https://cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ric.php?page=detail&id=COPS-W0910.

22. CRI-TAC, COVID-19: Upcoming Training and Webinars for Law Enforcement June 1–June 12, 2020 (Alexandria, VA: 

International Association of Chiefs of Police, 2020), https://www.theiacp.org/sites/default/files/COVID19/COVID19_Training_for_

Law_Enforcement.pdf?_ga=2.47221543.1821539476.1588188316-1327331693.1534889205.
40 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

COVID-19 Library of Resources and App

To assist law enforcement agencies with the overload of information on COVID-19, CRI-TAC launched the 

COVID-19 Library of Resources23 on March 23, 2020. More than 300 materials are available in this searchable 

library of agency policies, standard operating procedures, fact sheets, press releases, special orders, training 

documents, and other COVID-19–related materials. The library includes CRI-TAC–developed resources (see 

previous section) and federal guidance, agency created documentation, and relevant resources from other 

criminal justice stakeholders. This tool allows law enforcement to seek and share important guidance with one 

another on issues such as risk mitigation, communication, and officer safety.

305

21,514 

resources

page views

COVID-19 Library of Resources 

(metrics to date):

In addition, CRI-TAC launched the COVID-19 resource app,24 which provides access to the latest COVID-19 

resources, including the COVID-19 Library of Resources. From May to December 2020, there were 5,763 

downloads of the app. 

23. CRI-TAC, “COVID-19 Library of Resources,” International Association of Chiefs of Police, accessed February 25, 2021, 

https://www.myiacp.org/COVID19libraryofresources.

24. IACP, “IACP App,” accessed February 25, 2021, https://www.theiacp.org/iacp-app.
Responding to COVID-19 41

“The CRITAC Library has been a good resource during this pandemic to help 

answer many questions.”

— Darrell B. Basco, Deputy Chief, Pineville (LA) Police Department and LA FOP State President

National COVID-19 impact surveillance and associated deliverables

The goal of this national COVID-19 impact surveillance effort is to establish a broad understanding of the 

distinct impacts on law enforcement necessary to extract valuable lessons learned, identify innovative solutions 

in responding to crime and meeting the needs of communities, and document overall public safety trends 

to provide a unique national perspective of law enforcement operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. To 

accomplish this goal, the CRI-TAC has engaged in impact surveillance by actively collecting information from 

all facets of the field on the impact of the virus on law enforcement, including areas of crime, officer safety, 

officer wellness, equipment needs, and other important public safety topics.

The CRI-TAC developed 12 interim reports that build upon existing themes and synthesize new themes that 

emerge to build a comprehensive picture of the response by law enforcement to COVID-19. Information 

contained in these reports is collected through a diverse array of formal and informal spaces including personal 

conversations and accounts, meetings, webinars, news articles, surveys, websites, project-related intersections, 

and other active sourcing of law enforcement impacts specific to COVID-19.

1,100 entries in the impact 

surveillance tracker
42 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

The CRI-TAC is developing a public report that will be forthcoming in the spring of 2021. In addition to this 

public summary report, CRI-TAC is developing a series of deliverables focused on increasing education; sharing 

innovative adaptation by law enforcement surrounding policy, protocol, or operations; and highlighting 

lessons learned. The CRI-TAC COVID-19 Field Features series includes a compilation of innovative practices 

implemented by the field to enhance operations while maintaining public safety and the safety and wellness 

of an agency during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first two, Pivoting to COVID-19 Response in the Greater 

Houston Region25 and Keeping Montana Officers Trained During a Pandemic,

26 were released on March 2, 2021.

25. George Buenik and Jack Hanagriff, Pivoting to a COVID-19 Response in the Greater Houston Region, COVID-19 

Field Feature (Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 2021), https://cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ric.

php?page=detail&id=COPS-W0936.

26. Bryan Lockerby, Keeping Montana Officers Trained during a Pandemic, COVID-19 Field Feature (Washington, DC: Office of 

Community Oriented Policing Services, 2021), https://cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ric.php?page=detail&id=COPS-W0937.
How to Request Technical Assistance

Requesting assistance through CRI-TAC is a simple, low-burden process. Throughout the process, we work with 

requesting agencies to ensure the technical assistance approach reflects its needs and meets expectations. The 

steps for initiating a request are listed here.

21,955

website hits across the 

COPS Office and CRI-TAC 

partner web pages in 2020

Step 1. Inquiry

Once you are ready, you can submit an inquiry via www.collaborativereform.org. We can only accept requests 

from U.S. law enforcement agencies, and the chief executive of the agency must authorize the request.

Step 2. Intake call

Once we receive your request, CRI-TAC staff will contact you to schedule an intake call. The call will include CRITAC staff partners. This call gives you the opportunity to discuss your request and technical assistance needs.

80 intake calls in 2020

Step 3. Technical assistance request

Following the intake call, we will develop a formal technical assistance request for review and approval. Once 

approved, we will send you the technical assistance request for your input and approval.
44 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

Step 4. Technical assistance work plan

Once your request is completed, we will develop a technical assistance work plan. This work plan includes a 

detailed description of the technical assistance, SMEs, and staff assigned to your project. The work plan is 

subject to your review, input, and approval before we move forward and start delivering technical assistance.

“The SME’s guidance, mentorship, and expertise around mass 

demonstrations has been invaluable as the department developed its 

operational strategy.”

— Chris Buttice, Captain, Walla Walla (WA) Police Department

Step 5. Technical assistance delivery

Once you approve the work plan, we will initiate your technical assistance delivery. Throughout your delivery, 

we will continue to ensure we are meeting your needs with regular communication.

“The subject matter experts were the best in the nation! Fantastic 

instructors, flexible and responsive. They bring years of experience to the 

table and were fantastic resources.”

— Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Public Safety and Compliance Customer Satisfaction Survey

Upon the conclusion of your technical assistance, we will request your feedback through our customer 

satisfaction survey. Your feedback will help us to make improvements to our program and ensure we are 

meeting the needs of the field.

Simple, low-burden process

Inquiry Intake

call

Technical

assistance

request

Technical

assistance

delivery

Work

plan

“It already has helped us in concrete ways. We are doing business in a more 

effective way today than when we started the program.”

— Charles County (MD) Sheriff’s Office Customer Satisfaction Survey
On Deck in 2021

Opportunities abound in the CRI-TAC’s fourth year. In addition to our continued technical assistance to law 

enforcement agencies and COVID-19 response efforts, CRI-TAC is developing and implementing various training 

initiatives and tailored resources.

“CRI-TAC continues to fill a void created by limited funding in a time where 

the needs of the public we all serve continue to evolve.”

— Mike Brown, Director of Professional Development, NSA

Furthering active bystander techniques

CRI-TAC partner IADLEST is revising two trainings (direct and train-the-trainer) that will provide law 

enforcement with the knowledge and skills necessary to be active bystanders and intervene or allow an 

intervention when necessary to prevent misconduct or unethical behavior. CRI-TAC will pilot the training in late 

summer of 2021, with a full implementation roll-out in late 2021.

Addressing community engagement

In January 2021, CRI-TAC launched a virtual multipart Community Engagement Mini-Series dedicated to 

bringing innovative community engagement practices to the field. The initial webinars are incorporating 

COVID-19 practices, but this mini-series will broaden to include other aspects of community engagement. The 

first webinar, Maintaining Campus Community Relations During a Pandemic, was hosted for 86 attendees on 

January 12 and focused on important community engagement elements on campuses. Forthcoming webinars 

include youth engagement at various levels and broader programming by agencies.

Supporting de-escalation training

As referenced in the second annual report, de-escalation training is highly requested by CRI-TAC sites. To meet 

the high demand, CRI-TAC partnered with the Law Enforcement Innovation Center (LEIC) at the University 

of Tennessee Institute for Public Service to develop an Applied De-escalation Tactics training program. The 

training will provide law enforcement personnel the necessary tools and skills to de-escalate a situation. 

Training participants will learn the foundations of de-escalation and apply skills through practice scenariobased situations either in a simulator or through role play. This training program will incorporate a two-day 

direct training followed by a one-day train-the-trainer. CRI-TAC will pilot the training in spring of 2021, with a 

full implementation roll-out in summer of 2021.
46 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

Translating training to address tribal missing persons cases

CRI-TAC continues to expand outreach to tribes and tribal law enforcement agencies through efforts such 

as partnering with the DOJ Tribal Access Program and the Operation Lady Justice Task Force—the Presidential 

Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives. Operation Lady Justice has been 

empowered to review Indian country cold cases; to strengthen law enforcement protocols; and to work 

with tribes to improve investigations, information sharing, and a more seamless response to missing persons 

investigations.

CRI-TAC is currently piloting the Introduction for Leadership: Volunteer Engagement for American Indian 

and Alaska Native Missing Persons Cases and Volunteer Engagement for American Indian and Alaska Native 

Missing Persons Cases trainings with Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation in 

Montana and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation in Washington. These two trainings 

developed in partnership with the Executive Office for United States Attorneys and Operation Lady Justice 

Task Force provide an introduction to Indian Country Criminal Jurisdiction and victim service considerations as 

they pertain to missing person cases. In addition, the trainings introduce the basic elements and practices for 

creating a volunteer engagement program to support missing person cases.

Collaborating to develop national hate crimes training

As announced in October 2019,27 CRI-TAC, led by CRI-TAC partner IADLEST, is collaborating with the Arlington 

(Texas) Police Department (APD) to develop a national in-person hate crimes training curriculum as part of a 

larger suite of training options on the subject. This training suite will build the capacity and competency of law 

enforcement to recognize, investigate, and accurately report hate crimes while strengthening trust with the 

community. CRI-TAC will pilot the training in the spring of 2021, with a full implementation roll-out in summer 

of 2021.

Continuing service to the field

As demonstrated by the volume of requests received in the first three years, the field’s interest in technical 

assistance through the COPS Office and our partners in CRI-TAC is strong. During the fourth year, we will 

continue working diligently with key partners, SMEs, and the field to ensure our nation’s law enforcement get 

the assistance, training, support, and resources they need to protect the communities they serve.

“As a small agency, Walla Walla Police Department had never had access to 

this level of expertise and appreciated the CRI-TAC experience.”

— Kevin Braman, Captain, Walla Walla (WA) Police Department

27. U.S. Department of Justice, “Justice Department Commemorates 10th Anniversary of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., 

Hate Crimes Prevention Act,” press release, October 16, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-commemorates10th-anniversary-matthew-shepard-and-james-byrd-jr-hate.
Appendix. Client Satisfaction Survey Responses

Strongly 

Disagree % (N)

Disagree

% (N)

Neutral

% (N)

Agree

% (N)

Strongly 

Agree % (N)

Not 

Applicable % (N)

Response 

Total N

SATISFACTION WITH REQUEST PROCESS

My agency received 

assistance in a timely 

manner.

0% (0) 0% (0) 7% (2) 14% (4) 79% (22) 0% (0) 28

The process for 

requesting assistance 

was easy to navigate.

0% (0) 0% (0) 0% (0) 26% (7) 75% (21) 0% (0) 28

The burden placed 

on my agency while 

receiving technical 

assistance was minimal.

0% (0) 0% (0) 4% (1) 15% (4) 81% (22) 0% (0) 27

SATISFACTION WITH INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES PROVIDED 

Informational resources 

provided to my agency 

were high quality.

0% (0) 0% (0) 7% (2) 29% (8) 61% (17) 4% (1) 28

Informational resources 

provided to my agency 

were relevant to my 

problem.

0% (0) 0% (0) 4% (1) 29% (8) 64% (18) 4% (1) 28

Informational resources 

provided to my agency 

were relevant to my 

agency.

0% (0) 0% (0) 0% (0) 29% (8) 68% (19) 4% (1) 28

Informational resources 

provided to my agency 

were useful.

0% (0) 0% (0) 4% (1) 37% (10) 54% (15) 4% (1) 27

SATISFACTION WITH CRI-TAC STAFF 

CRI-TAC staff met our 

expectations.

0% (0) 0% (0) 4% (1) 18% (5) 79% (22) 0% (0) 28

CRI-TAC staff were well 

informed about the 

process.

0% (0) 0% (0) 4% (1) 21% (6) 75% (21) 0% (0) 28

CRI-TAC staff were 

responsive throughout 

the process.

0% (0) 0% (0) 4% (1) 18% (5) 79% (22) 0% (0) 28

CRI-TAC staff were 

well-organized and 

prepared throughout 

the process.

0% (0) 0% (0) 7% (2) 18% (5) 75% (21) 0% (0) 28
Strongly 

Disagree % (N)

Disagree

% (N)

Neutral

% (N)

Agree

% (N)

Strongly 

Agree % (N)

Not 

Applicable % (N)

Response 

Total N

SATISFACTION WITH CRI-TAC SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS

CRI-TAC subject matter 

expert(s) met our 

expectations.

0% (0) 0% (0) 7% (2) 14% (4) 79% (22) 0% (0) 28

CRI-TAC subject 

matter expert(s) had 

experience relevant to 

our problem.

0% (0) 0% (0) 0% (0) 30% (6) 70% (14) 0% (0) 20

CRI-TAC subject matter 

expert(s) had expertise 

relevant to our 

problem.

0% (0) 0% (0) 7% (2) 22% (6) 70% (19) 0% (0) 27

CRI-TAC subject 

matter expert(s) had 

experience relevant to 

our agency.

0% (0) 0% (0) 5% (1) 25% (5) 70% (14) 0% (0) 20

CRI-TAC subject matter 

expert(s) had expertise 

relevant to our agency.

0% (0) 0% (0) 4% (1) 26% (7) 71% (20) 0% (0) 28

CRI-TAC subject matter 

expert(s) were wellorganized and prepared 

throughout the process.

0% (0) 0% (0) 4% (1) 21% (6) 75% (21) 0% (0) 28

SATISFACTION WITH OVERALL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE DELIVERY

Overall, the assistance 

provided met my 

agency’s expectations.

0% (0) 0% (0) 7% (2) 26% (7) 68% (19) 0% (0) 28

Overall, the assistance 

provided was relevant 

to the problem.

0% (0) 0% (0) 4% (1) 21% (6) 75% (21) 0% (0) 28

Overall, the assistance 

provided was relevant 

to my agency.

0% (0) 0% (0) 0% (0) 26% (7) 75% (21) 0% (0) 28

Overall, the assistance 

provided will help my 

agency address its 

problem.

0% (0) 0% (0) 4% (1) 18% (5) 79% (22) 0% (0) 28

48 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field
About the CRI-TAC Partners

International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)

The IACP is the world’s largest and most influential professional association for police leaders. With more than 

31,000 members in 165 countries, the IACP is a recognized leader in global policing, known for its commitment 

to enhancing community safety by shaping the future of the police profession. Through timely research, 

programming, and unparalleled training opportunities, the IACP is preparing current and emerging police 

leaders—and the agencies and communities they serve—to succeed in addressing the most pressing issues, 

threats, and challenges of the day.

FBI National Academy Associates (FBINAA) Inc.

The FBINAA is a nonprofit, international organization of 17,000 senior law enforcement professionals dedicated 

to providing our communities, states, countries, and profession with the highest degree of law enforcement 

expertise, training, education, and information. Members are graduates of the FBI’s prestigious National 

Academy program, representing all 50 states, 170 countries, and more than 7,500 law enforcement agencies. 

More than 50,000 graduates have completed the FBI National Academy Program.

Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)

The FOP is the world’s largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 354,000 

members in more than 2,100 lodges. We are the voice of those who dedicate their lives to protecting and 

serving our communities. We are committed to improving the working conditions of law enforcement officers 

and the safety of those we serve through education, legislation, information, community involvement, and 

employee representation. 

International Association of Campus Law Enforcement 

Administrators (IACLEA)

IACLEA is the largest professional association devoted to excellence in campus public safety and law enforcement. 

Our members are police chiefs, public safety directors, law enforcement officers, and security personnel at higher 

education institutions across the globe. IACLEA is the leading authority for campus public safety. 
50 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement 

Standards and Training (IADLEST)

IADLEST’s mission is to support the innovative development of professional standards in public safety through 

research, development, collaboration and sharing of information, to assist states and international partners with 

establishing effective and defensible standards for the employment and training of public safety personnel.

Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA)

MCSA is a professional law enforcement association of the largest elected sheriffs’ offices representing counties 

or parishes with populations of 500,000 or more. We are dedicated to preserving the highest integrity in law 

enforcement and the elected Office of the Sheriff. Our membership represents more than 120 million citizens.

National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives 

(NAWLEE)

NAWLEE is the first organization established to address the unique needs of women holding senior 

management positions in law enforcement. NAWLEE’s mission is to serve and further the interests of women 

executives and those who aspire to be executives in law enforcement. Membership is open to women and men 

in municipal, campus, tribal, state, and federal law enforcement agencies or employed in a profession related to 

law enforcement who support diversity in the profession.

National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives 

(NOBLE)

Since 1976, NOBLE has served as the conscience of law enforcement by being committed to justice by action. 

NOBLE represents more than 3,500 members worldwide, who are primarily African-American chief executive 

officers of law enforcement agencies at federal, state, county and municipal levels; other law enforcement 

administrators; and criminal justice practitioners.

National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA)

Chartered in 1940, NSA is a professional association dedicated to serving the Office of Sheriff and the more 

than 3,000 locally elected sheriffs across the United States by way of various departments within NSA such 

as Government Affairs, Traffic Safety, Grants Management, and Professional Development. Sheriffs are not 

only the chief law enforcement officials in their counties; in most jurisdictions they are also responsible for 

court security and jail administration. In addition, NSA provides a wide range of law enforcement training and 

informational resources.
About the CRI-TAC Partners 51

National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA)

The mission of the NTOA is to enhance 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. 
About the COPS Office

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) is the component of the U.S. 

Department of Justice responsible for advancing the practice of community policing by the nation’s state, local, 

territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies through information and grant resources.

Community policing begins with a commitment to building trust and mutual respect between police and 

communities. It supports public safety by encouraging all stakeholders to work together to address our nation’s 

crime challenges. When police and communities collaborate, they more effectively address underlying issues, 

change negative behavioral patterns, and allocate resources. 

Rather than simply responding to crime, community policing focuses on preventing it through strategic 

problem-solving approaches based on collaboration. The COPS Office awards grants to hire community policing 

officers and support the development and testing of innovative policing strategies. COPS Office funding also 

provides training and technical assistance to community members and local government leaders, as well as all 

levels of law enforcement. 

Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to add community policing officers to the 

nation’s streets, enhance crime fighting technology, support crime prevention initiatives, and provide training 

and technical assistance to help advance community policing. Other achievements include the following:

• To date, the COPS Office has funded the hiring of approximately 130,000 additional officers by more than 

13,000 of the nation’s 18,000 law enforcement agencies in both small and large jurisdictions.

• Nearly 700,000 law enforcement personnel, community members, and government leaders have been 

trained through COPS Office–funded training organizations.

• Almost 500 agencies have received customized advice and peer-led technical assistance through the COPS 

Office Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center.

• To date, the COPS Office has distributed more than eight million topic-specific publications, training 

curricula, white papers, and resource CDs and flash drives.

• The COPS Office also sponsors conferences, round tables, and other forums focused on issues critical to law 

enforcement.

COPS Office information resources, covering a wide range of community policing topics such as school and 

campus safety, violent crime, and officer safety and wellness, can be downloaded via the COPS Office’s home 

page, https://cops.usdoj.gov.

The Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center is a partnership between the 

COPS Office and many professional law enforcement organizations throughout the field 

to provide technical assistance to law enforcement agencies on request. In its first three 

years, the center fielded more than 450 requests for assistance from campus, local, county, 

and state agencies on critical issues like community engagement; active shooter response; 

de-escalation; crime analysis; mass demonstrations; school safety; and recruitment, hiring, 

and retention. This report shows how the center has supported agencies in their efforts to 

ensure public safety in their communities. The COPS Office is committed to continue working 

diligently with our partners to provide high-quality, relevant, and timely assistance by the 

field, for the field.

U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services

145 N Street NE

Washington, DC 20530

To obtain details about COPS Office programs, 

call the COPS Office Response Center at 800-421-6770.

Visit the COPS Office online at cops.usdoj.gov.

e022118978

Published 2021