Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

COLLABORATIVE REFORM SECOND 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. 2020. Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field: Collaborative 

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

Published 2020
Contents

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

Acknowledgments vii

COPS Office staff vii

IACP staff vii

Partners staff viii

Executive Summary  

Introduction 

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

 

Technical assistance services 7

About this report 13

Program Performance 15

Technical assistance facts and figures 15

Technical assistance summaries 27

How to Request Technical Assistance 39

Step 1. Inquiry 39

Step 2. Intake call 39

Step 3. Technical assistance request

40

Step 4. Technical assistance work plan 40

Step 5. Technical assistance delivery 40
On Deck in 2020

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

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

41

Meeting the needs of law enforcement during the COVID-19 pandemic 41

Assisting the nation’s border sheriffs through interdiction training 41

Supporting national de-escalation training 42

Expanding assistance to tribes and tribal law enforcement agencies 42

Collaborating to develop national hate crimes training 42

Ongoing evaluation of CRI-TAC

 

43

Continuing service to the field 43

About the COPS Office 44
Letter from the Director of the COPS Office and 

Executive Directors of CRI-TAC Partners

Colleagues:

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 Cities 

Chiefs Association (MCCA), 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)—continue to provide critical 

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

Technical Assistance Center (CRI-TAC). In the two years since we launched CRI-TAC, we have fielded 

more than 300 technical assistance requests for assistance on critical issues like school safety, active 

shooter response, de-escalation, crisis intervention, and information sharing. 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 timely, field-driven technical 

assistance to agencies in a way that minimizes their burden while focusing on their needs—and to 

collaborate with one another on this important work.

v
vi Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

This report on CRI-TAC’s second 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, and state agencies and highlights plans to do more of the 

same in 2020. We will continue to provide solid assistance for the good of the field and the good of 

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.

Phil Keith 

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

Laura Cooper 

Executive Director 

Major Cities Chiefs 

Association

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

Countless individuals and organizations have contributed to the success of CRI-TAC in its second year. 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.

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.

Finally, none of this could be possible without the numerous 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 Chapman, Deputy Director

• Matthew Scheider, Assistant Director

• George Fachner, Senior Program Specialist

• Nazmia E.A. Comrie, Senior Program Specialist

• Matt Lysakowski, Senior Advisor for Tribal Affairs

IACP staff

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

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

• Domingo Herraiz, Director 

• Sarah Horn, Assistant Director 

• Rosemary DeMenno, Senior Program Manager 

• Laura Wilt, Program Manager 

• Hilary Burgess, Project Manager 

• Stephanie Lash, Project Manager 

vii
viii Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

• Dominique Burton, Project Coordinator 

• Raynell Hankerson, Project Coordinator 

• Alana Richardson, Project Assistant 

Partners staff

FBI National Academy Associates, Inc. 

• Kevin Wingerson, 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 

• Mark McDonald, Legislative Liaison

• Keith Turney, National Sergeant at Arms 

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 

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 
Acknowledgments ix

Major Cities Chiefs Association

• Laura Cooper, Executive Director 

• Patricia Williams, Associate Director 

• Leslie Silletti, Director of Grants and Programs 

National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives

• Kym Craven, Executive Director 

• Val Cunningham, Past President 

• Shannon Trump, 1st Vice President 

• Alana Ennis, Project Manager

National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives 

• Dwayne Crawford, Executive Director 

• Patrick Taylor, Accounting Manager

• Sarah Johnson, Manager, Chapter and Member Services

• James Golden, Advisor

National Sheriffs’ Association

• Jonathan Thompson, Executive Director / Chief Executive Officer 

• Michael Brown, Director, Professional Development 

• Jessica Vanderpool, Assistant Director, Grants and Contracts 

• Kristi Barksdale, Project Manager

National Tactical Officers Association

• Thor Eells, Executive Director 

• Don Kester, Director, 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 mis-

-

-

-

sion, 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 Assis

tance 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 Enforce

ment Administrators, International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training, Major 

Cities Chiefs Association, National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, National Organization 

of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Sheriffs’ Association, and the National Tactical Officers Asso

ciation. 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 300 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 development, training, and informational 

briefings by subject matter experts.

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

departments. Sheriffs’ offices make up 16 percent of technical assistance participants, while campus agencies 

make up another 12 percent. As is the case nationally, most CRI-TAC agencies (52 percent) have fewer than 50 

sworn personnel. Mid-size and large agencies with 100 to 499 sworn personnel make up the second-greatest 

number of those receiving technical assistance from CRI-TAC at 20 percent.

Through survey data, 93 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 to the training data, participants selected 

whether their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the training subject were advanced, intermediate, basic, little, or 

no skills before and after the training. 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. Through the creation of five customer satisfaction 

composite scores, CRI-TAC is meeting the needs of our customers.

1
2 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

This report highlights the work of CRI-TAC since the release of the first annual report1 in April 2019. In this 

report, the reader will find a breakdown of program performance metrics as well as nine 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. It concludes with an overview of activities taking 

place in 2020 including responding to COVID-19 and work with border sheriffs, tribes, and tribal law enforcement as well as developing de-escalation and hate crimes training.

 Simple, low-burden process

Types of agencies participating in CRI-TAC

Campus

Local

Sheriff Other

State Tribal

Types of agencies participating in CRI-T

Campus

Local

Sheriff 

State 

Types of agencies participating in CRI-TAC

Campus

Local

Sheriff Other

State Tribal

Types of agencies participating in CRI-TAC

Campus

Local

Sheriff Other

State Tribal

Types of agencies participating 

in collaborative reform 

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.

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

Community Oriented Policing Services, 2019), https://cops.usdoj.gov/ric/Publications/cops-w0873-pub.pdf.
3

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 Assis

tance 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.

“The IACP and its nine partner organizations continue to deliver no-cost, 

cutting-edge training and technical assistance to law enforcement agencies 

throughout the United States. With its far-reaching impact, CRI-TAC has 

delivered de-escalation training to agencies in Arkansas, crime analysis 

assistance in Texas, active shooter training to departments in Illinois, and 

officer safety and wellness training in California. These are just a few 

examples of CRI-TAC’s tailored deliveries by respected subject matter experts 

in the field, helping agencies address challenges and solve potential issues.”

— Steven R. Casstevens, 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:

• International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)

International Association of 

Chiefs of Police

The IACP is the world’s largest and most influential professional 

association for police leaders. With more than 30,000 members 

in 160 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 350,000 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. 
Introduction 5

• 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. 

• International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement 

Standards and Training (IADLEST)

IADLEST is a nonprofit association with members representing 

state Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) organizations, 

state commissions, academy directors, and instructors. Its 

mission is to research, develop, and share information, ideas, 

and innovations that assist states in establishing effective 

and defensible standards for employment and the delivery of 

exceptional training for law enforcement officers and—in those 

states where dual responsibility exists—correctional personnel. 

• Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA)

MCCA membership comprises chiefs and sheriffs of the 69 

largest law enforcement agencies in the United States and nine 

largest in Canada. Collectively, the MCCA represents more than 

79.9 million people and a workforce of 251,082 officers and 

nonsworn personnel. The association serves its membership 

through advocacy, education, and dialogue and is committed to 

improving public safety in major urban areas.

• 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, state, and federal law 

enforcement agencies or employed in a profession related to 

law enforcement who support diversity in the profession.
6 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

• 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.

• 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. 
“Through CRI-TAC’s customized training and technical assistance, 

Major Cities Chiefs Association member agencies are matched with 

peer subject experts from across the country to develop customized 

solutions centered on their unique perspective and goals. CRI-TAC has 

provided a great opportunity to expand the community of practice 

around what works and has helped to establish valuable connections 

across our membership.”

— Laura Cooper, Executive Director, MCCA

Introduction 7

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.

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/attorneygeneral-sessions-provides-further-support-local-law-enforcement-launch-new.

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; 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.
8 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

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

sector stakeholders.

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

to provide guidance on promising and emerging practices to deliver tailored solutions.

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

• Focused Deterrence

• Gangs

• Gun Violence Reduction and Prevention

• Hate Crimes

• Homeless Populations

• Human Trafficking

• Intelligence and Information Sharing

• 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 Model

• Traffic Safety

• Unmanned Aerial Systems

• Violent Crime Reduction and Prevention

• Youth Engagement
“CRI-TAC provides valuable resources for training and technical assistance 

to the law enforcement community through a variety of community 

partners. This collaboration across diverse fields leverages expertise in a 

variety of areas for service to all sizes of law enforcement organizations.”

— Lieutenant (ret.) Buck Rogers, NTOA Program Manager

Introduction 9

In addition to the standard topics, in 2019 we expanded our services to include tribal-focused topics. Such 

services are offered in recognition of the unique challenges tribal law enforcement must address to provide 

their communities with public safety services. Tribal law enforcement agencies can access assistance on any 

of the 36 example topics as well as the following tribal-focused topics:

• Child Abuse

• Community Policing and Problem Solving in a Tribal Setting

• 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
10 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

Meeting the Needs of Rural Alaska

On June 28, 2019, Attorney General William P. Barr declared a law enforcement emergency 

in rural Alaska under the Emergency Federal Law Enforcement Assistance Program.* 

Recognizing that Alaska has the highest per capita crime rate in the country and the unique 

circumstances of Alaska’s geographical and jurisdictional landscape, the attorney general 

authorized additional funding and several long-term measures to support village public safety 

and victim services.

In response to the attorney general’s declaration, the COPS Office is 

implementing a technical assistance plan to advance public safety in Alaska 

Native villages. In 2019, the COPS Office actively publicized its resources 

and technical assistance capabilities, focusing on CRI-TAC, including 

presentations in Anchorage and Bethel. A CRI-TAC Alaska-specific brochure 

was developed and mailed to all 229 Alaska Native villages and the regional 

nonprofit organizations.

On July 29–30, 2019, CRI-TAC provided the Unalaska Department of Public 

Safety with a Rescue Task Force training, delivered by CRI-TAC partner 

National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA). A review of the agency’s 

current policies, threat assessment protocols, and overall readiness 

to respond to active shooter incidents was also conducted. On August 20–21, 2019, CRITAC provided de-escalation training T3: Tact, Tactics, and Trust for the North Slope Borough 

Police Department, delivered by Polis Solutions. On November 19–22, 2019, CRI-TAC delivered a regional basic and train the trainer T3: Tact, Tactics, and Trust session for 30 agencies 

in Anchorage.

The COPS Office will continue assessing public safety training and technical assistance needs 

in rural Alaska and deliver technical assistance that meets the identified needs.

* U.S. Department of Justice, “Attorney General William P. Barr Announces Emergency Funding to Address Public Safety 

Crisis in Rural Alaska,” press release, June 28, 2019, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-william-p-barrannounces-emergency-funding-address-public-safety-crisis.
In addition to the standard topics, in 2019 working with CRI-TAC partner NSA we developed sheriff-specific 

topics. Such services are offered in recognition of the unique challenges that sheriffs’ offices must address to 

provide their communities with public safety services. Sheriffs can access assistance on any of the 36 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

Introduction 11

CRI-TAC SME providing technical 

assistance to the Corpus Christi 

(Texas) Police Department
12 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

Partnering to provide canine adoptions and handler training

In 2019 the COPS Office partnered with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) 

Office of State and Local Law Enforcement and Transportation Security Agency to provide 

canine adoptions and handler training to agencies along the southwest border of the United 

States. The training was for patrol and detection of contraband in vehicle interdiction operation 

and border security functions and led to the opportunity for agencies to have Certified Canine 

Teams. In all, CRI-TAC supported four sheriffs’ offices (Kleberg County, Texas; Edwards County, 

Texas; Dimmit County, Texas; and Chambers County, Texas), one police department (Sabinal, 

Texas), and one tribal agency (Zuni, New Mexico). 
About this report

This report highlights the work of CRI-TAC since the release of the first annual report3 in April of 2019. 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 2020.

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.

“The CRI-TAC program delivers quality technical assistance to law enforcement agencies 

across the nation. The services provided encompass more than 40 subject matter topics 

resulting in the delivery of a diverse range of resources. NOBLE is committed to the 

program’s future success as it meets the needs of the field.”

— Dwayne A. Crawford, Executive Director, NOBLE

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

Introduction 13

CRI-TAC technical assistance delivery to Fitchburg 

State University

15

Program Performance

-

“The CRI-TAC process is a great way for our sheriffs to receive technical assistance that 

is tailored specifically for their unique needs. CRI-TAC fills the void left by providing 

technical assistance to smaller agencies with limited budgets. The CRI-TAC process 

is one of the easiest I’ve seen. It’s been a pleasure being part of the CRI-TAC process, 

providing solutions to our nation’s law enforcement professionals.”

— Michael Brown, Director, Professional Development, NSA

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

strate the progress of the program and the types of assistance provided to agencies that have participated in 

the program. 

Technical assistance facts and figures

Since we launched CRI-TAC, the COPS Office has fielded more than 300 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 development, training, and informational 

briefings by SMEs. 

Figure 1 (on page 16) illustrates the number of technical assistance requests on a quarterly basis, accounting 

for both primary requests and peer agency additions.4

 On average, we have fielded 37 requests per quarter, for 

a total of 337 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.
16 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

QTR 1 QTR 2 QTR 3

2018 2019

Requests

2020

QTR 4 QTR 1 QTR 2 QTR 3 QTR 4 QTR 1

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

Status of Requests

Referred

Technical assistance pending

Technical assistance in progress

Declined

Technical assistance completed

Withdrawn inquiry

Figure 1. Technical assistance requests

Figure 2. Status of technical assistance requests
Program Performance 17

CRI-TAC has delivered on 322 (95.5 percent) of the total requests for technical assistance. Among the requesting agencies that did not receive assistance, eight withdrew their requests based on local circumstances, 

five were referred to other resources that could better meet their needs, and two were declined because the 

requests were outside the scope of the program. As of March 1, 2020, 231 law enforcement agencies (68.5 

percent of requests) had completed technical assistance engagements.5

 We are currently working with 63 

agencies (18.7 percent of requests) and have engagements pending with an additional 28 agencies (8.3 percent 

of requests). Figure 2 (on page 16) illustrates the status of all requests fielded since the program’s inception.

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. Intelligence and Information Sharing

4. Public Sector Coordination and Partnerships

5. Officer Safety and Wellness 

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

engagements involve more than one type of service. The vast majority (82.7 percent) of agencies thus far 

have received some sort of training or informational briefing on a specialized topic, with more than 540 

people receiving training through CRI-TAC. Other types of assistance being provided include on-site consultation (17.6 percent), virtual consultation (17.9 percent), and agency peer exchange (3.3 percent). 

5. Two agencies are repeat customers. Throughout this report, “agencies” refers specifically to requesting agencies, counting each 

request separately, regardless of whether it comes from a new agency.

“The COPS Office developed CRI-TAC to be a customized program for law 

enforcement agencies to find collaborative assistance from leading voices 

in policing. Through this unprecedented partnership, we work with police 

agencies that seek to enhance their internal operations or service delivery with 

the goal to improve officer and community safety. This report highlights that 

work, and I am proud of all that we are doing through CRI-TAC to support the 

needs of law enforcement and improve public safety across the country.”

— Phil Keith, Director, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services
18 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

Furthering technical assistance offerings during national conferences

In the last year, active CRI-TAC sites have been offered the opportunity to travel to two national 

conferences to further their technical assistance and network with other agencies. These 

opportunities have been based on popular topic areas and reflect the diverse ways through 

which CRI-TAC provides customized technical assistance.

The 2019 International Association of Crime Analysts (IACA) conference was held August 

19–23, 2019 in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Throughout the conference, participants had the 

opportunity to explore different training tracks including investigative analysis; social network 

analysis; research and methodology; ESRI software; and tactical, strategic, administrative, and 

intelligence analysis. The sessions covered a variety of topics for all skill levels including case 

studies and hands-on computer labs. CRI-TAC sponsored travel for one attendee from active 

sites with a topical focus of crime analysis. Attendees developed personal attendance agendas 

and had the opportunity to network with one another.

The 2020 IACP Officer Safety and Wellness (OSW) Symposium was held February 27–29, 

2020 in Miami, Florida. The symposium offers law enforcement professionals the chance 

to learn from experts in the field about resources and promising practices in developing 

comprehensive OSW strategies. CRI-TAC sponsored travel attendance for one representative 

from active CRI-TAC sites with a topical focus of OSW, as well as one representative from 

the COPS Office FY19 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) award 

recipients. Participants developed personal attendance agendas, participated in a national 

peer exchange forum with one another, and developed a brief summary of key takeaways and 

action areas to complement their projects.

CRI-TAC will look for additional customized technical assistance opportunities in 2020.
Program Performance 19

“The CRI-TAC project is a great opportunity for FBI National Academy graduates to 

share their expertise and experience with law enforcement agencies throughout 

the country. This meets the FBI National Academy Associates’ mission to ‘impact 

communities by providing and promoting law enforcement leadership through training 

and networking.’ The CRI-TAC project is an outstanding collaboration with the COPS 

Office and the other partner organizations and allows us to extend our reach to 

enhance the mission and vision of our association.”

— Howard M. Cook, Executive Director, FBINAA Session #224, FBINAA

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. Sheriffs’ offices make up 16 percent of TA participants, while campus agencies make up another 

12 percent (see figure 3).

Figure 3. Types of agencies participating in collaborative reform Types of agencies participating in CRI-TAC

Campus

Local

Sheriff Other

State Tribal
20 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

“IADLEST is proud to be a CRI-TAC partner. Our goal is to foster professionalism in 

public safety through the establishment of high standards and quality training. 

CRI-TAC provides us with an opportunity to have an impact on a broader segment 

of the profession.”

— Mike Becar, Executive Director, IADLEST

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 (52 percent) 

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

the second-greatest number of those receiving technical assistance from CRI-TAC at 20 percent. Figure 4 (see 

page 21) shows a complete breakdown of agency size. Agencies participating in CRI-TAC boast a combined 

force size of more than 125,000 officers serving communities throughout the United States.

IACLEA promoting CRI-TAC 

technical assistance
Program Performance 21

Figure 4. Size of agencies participating in collaborative reform

500−999 1,000+

Size of agencies participating in CRI-TAC

0−49 50−99

60.0%

50.0%

40.0%

30.0%

20.0%

10.0%

0.0%

100−499

Number of sworn officers

Overall, the performance of the instructor(s) met my needs and expectations

Strongly disagree (0%)

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly agree

Figure 5. CRI-TAC Training Evaluation: Overall, the performance of the 

instructor(s) met my needs and expectations
“It was important for IACLEA to be a partner on CRI-TAC because it has allowed us to 

educate others in the policing world as to the important role that campus public safety 

plays in keeping our communities safe.”

— Josh Bronson, Director of Training, IACLEA

As referenced in the first annual report,6 CRI-TAC is collecting data to track satisfaction and effectiveness of 

the technical assistance. All training participants receive a survey about their experience relating to the training 

received via CRI-TAC. This voluntary information helps CRI-TAC better assess the delivery of training. As illustrated in figure 5 on page 21, agencies strongly agreed (75 percent) or agreed (18 percent) that the performance 

of the instructor(s) met their needs and expectations. The course met the agency needs and expectations 88 

percent of the time (57 percent strongly agree and 31 percent agree) (see figure 6). Figure 7 (see page 23) shows 

that 93 percent of agencies (62 percent strongly agree and 31 percent agree) stated that the training was effective in meeting the goals and objectives of the course. CRI-TAC received 246 responses to the training survey.

Of particular note to the training data, participants 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. Out of 

246 training participants, all but three improved their KSA at least one level or stayed the same.7

 Fifty percent 

moved up one level, while 10 percent moved up two levels, and 2 percent moved up three levels (see figure 8 

on page 23).

Figure 6. CRI-TAC Training Evaluation: Overall, the course met my 

needs and expectations Overall, the course met my needs and expectations

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly agree

22 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

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

7. One participant did not select anything and two participants had a decrease from pre to post. All three outliers have been removed 

from these results.
CRI-TAC knowledge, skillsand abilities pre/post change

No change

Moved up 1 KSA

Moved up 2 KSA

Moved up 3 KSA

Overall, the course is effective in meeting the goals and of objectives of the course.

Strongly disagree (0%)

Disagree (0%)

Neutral

Agree

Strongly agree

Figure 7. CRI-TAC Training Evaluation: Overall, the course is effective 

in meeting the goals and objectives of the course

Program Performance 23

Figure 8. CRI-TAC Training Evaluation: Change in Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA)
24 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

In addition, 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 technical assistance 

received. Like the training survey, this voluntary information helps CRI-TAC better assess the delivery of technical assistance. As illustrated in figure 9 (see page 25), 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. The customer satisfaction survey has a response rate of 28.4 

percent.

To further understand customer satisfaction, we created customer satisfaction composite scores that group 

the survey questions into the following five metrics (see figure 10 on page 25):

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

burden to the agency

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

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

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

the process, responsive, well-organized, and prepared

4. Subject Matter Experts – measures if 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 if the technical assistance met the agency’s expectations, 

was relevant to the problem and agency, and helped address the problem
Program Performance 25

Figure 9. Overall results from the CRI-TAC customer satisfaction survey CRI-TAC customer satisfaction

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

17%4% 78%

74%

74%

26%

22%4%

26%4% 70%

Neutral Agree Strongly agree

Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

Figure 10. Customer satisfaction composite scores

Process 

composite score

Informational 

resources 

composite score

CRI-TAC staff 

composite score

Subject matter 

expert composite 

score

Technical 

assistance 

provided 

composite score

Strongly disagree 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

Disagree 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

Neutral 5% 4% 4% 3% 4%

Agree 22% 32% 21% 28% 25%

Strongly agree 73% 59% 75% 70% 71%
26 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

CRI-TAC map of completed technical assistance sites

Key

Primary Requestor (blue) - an agency that initially contacts CRI-TAC and 

requests assistance

Peer Agency Addition (red) - an agency that did not initially contact CRITAC 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 nine summaries on technical assistance engagements. From in-depth briefings 

by SMEs to multiagency in-person training efforts on critical topics in law enforcement today, these summaries 

illustrate just some of the types of assistance law enforcement agencies are benefiting from through CRI-TAC.

Integrating crime analysis into 

policing strategies

As a result of the Port Huron (Michigan) Police 

Department (PHPD) creating and hiring a crime 

analyst position, the agency requested guidance 

to integrate crime analysis into the policing strategies at the PHPD.

A SME from CRI-TAC partner International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards 

and Training (IADLEST) worked with the PHPD 

to remotely review policy, job duties, organizational structure, crime and traffic statistics, and 

annual reports and field promising practices for 

integrating crime analysts. Following the remote consultations, IADLEST and the SME traveled to Port Huron to 

meet and hold discussions on promising practices for understanding and implementing effective crime analysis 

strategies which support and assist in crime reduction with agency personnel inclusive of their crime analyst, 

sworn officers, and agency leadership. This one-day, hands-on assistance provided PHPD with the opportunity 

to identify challenges and develop solutions that impact the entire agency.

1. CRI-TAC profile: 

Port Huron (Michigan) Police Department

Agency size: 70 sworn

Population served (est.): 29,000

Topic(s): Crime analysis

Technical assistance: Resource referral, 

virtual coaching/mentoring, on-site 

consultation, peer agency exchange

Status: Complete

“Our world is evolving and so too must the law enforcement profession. For any law 

enforcement initiative to be successful, it must include a rank-and-file perspective. 

CRI-TAC is truly a collaborative effort amongst every major law enforcement 

organization in the country. It’s a great way for labor and management to 

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

enforcement today.”

— Patrick Yoes, FOP National President

Program Performance 27
28 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

Separately, CRI-TAC arranged a peer exchange 

for the PHPD crime analyst and a senior crime 

analyst SME from the field to offer additional 

guidance and shared experiences to assist in 

broadening the network of associates for support 

and education for PHPD.

Some of the outcomes from this technical assistance include the inclusion of the crime analyst 

in roll call briefings, increased coordination and 

collaboration with state and regional crime ana-

-

-

lysts, revised CompStat presentation that meets 

the needs of the intended audience, and an 

increased arsenal of crime analysis tools. This also 

provided the PHPD crime analyst with a wider 

network of associates for support and education.

The crime analyst conveyed satisfaction with the peer exchange visit to the CRI-TAC team. The learning experi

ence and collaboration provided access to an incredible amount of new information. The templates, programs, 

and training suggested by the SME were highly beneficial. The technical assistance exceeded her needs and 

expectations. Following the site visit, the SME conducted a follow-up phone call to answer any remaining ques

tions and continue their networking and mentorship relationship.

-

-

-

CRI-TAC SME working with Port Huron, MI crime 

analyst on successful crime analyst strategies 

2. CRI-TAC profile: 

Greene County (Georgia) Sheriff’s Office

Agency size: 30 sworn

Population served (est.): 16,710

Topic(s): Active shooter response, school safety

Technical assistance: Resource referral, virtual 

coaching/mentoring, in-person training

Status: Active Technical Assistance

Enhancing threat 

assessment protocols

The Greene County (Georgia) Sheriff’s Office 

(GCSO) requested technical assistance to enhance 

its threat assessment protocols pertaining to 

school safety and workplace violence. The GCSO 

was interested in constructing a holistic and 

systematic approach to a threat assessment plan 

that includes local social workers, mental health 

professionals, school resource officers, and busi

ness and community stakeholders.

SMEs reviewed current GCSO policies and procedures related to threat assessments, school safety, and work

place violence. Using the Department of Homeland Security’s Active Shooter Response Policy Review Guidance 

Template, the SMEs provided considerations on how to implement promising practices in GCSO threat assess

ment protocols.
In addition to the policy review, SMEs from CRI-TAC partner the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) 

provided two sessions of a two-day, in-person training, School and Workplace Violence Seminar. The training 

was offered twice to cover more agency and partner staff and consisted of information and tactics helpful 

in assessing, managing, and mitigating threats as they surface. NTOA trained 53 participants, which included 

representatives from the GCSO; surrounding law enforcement agencies; and community partners from school 

personnel, social workers, mental health professionals, and business stakeholders who have joined the effort to 

strengthen Greene County’s response to school violence.

Training participants noted and appreciated 

the variety of community stakeholders involved 

in the training which has led to a greater sense 

of cohesion. 

3. CRI-TAC profile: 

Albuquerque (New Mexico) Police Department

Agency size: 1,040 sworn

Population served (est.): 558,000

Topic(s): Leadership, officer safety and wellness

Technical assistance: Resource referral, virtual 

coaching/mentoring, in-person training

Status: Complete

Training on leadership 

through the ranks

The Albuquerque (New Mexico) Police Department (APD) requested Blue Courage: The Heart 

and Mind of the Guardian training to enhance 

the professional commitment and resilience of 

their personnel.

CRI-TAC coordinated the delivery of the two-day, in-person Blue Courage: The Heart and Mind of the Guardian

workshop to 35 APD personnel. Following the two-day training, Blue Courage conducted a train-the-trainer 

and certified 20 APD personnel to train this course.

“The Blue Courage training provided to APD had the positive 

results expected. Those that were exposed to the curriculum 

experienced an enlightening reminder of why we become police 

officers and the benefits an officer experiences from serving 

their community in an ethical and inspiring way.”

— Mike Geier, Chief, Albuquerque (NM) Police Department

Program Performance 29
30 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

In addition to the training, CRI-TAC assigned a SME to remotely review the APD’s existing policies and training 

curricula. The SME supported the agency by assisting with the development of a sustainability plan for the 

APD’s training curriculum that incorporated the concepts from the Blue Courage training.

As a result of CRI-TAC meeting their needs, the APD put in a separate request focused on technology and data, 

which is currently in process.

Preparing for the transition to NIBRS

In 2021, law enforcement agencies will transition from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Uniform Crime 

Reporting (UCR) to the FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) for reporting offense and arrest 

data. The Casper (Wyoming) Police Department (CPD) requested assistance in preparing for this transition, 

including a review of its current reporting system and its capacity. 

CRI-TAC assigned a SME to examine the current capacity of the CPD records management system (RMS). In 

collaboration with the CPD, the SME reviewed and discussed areas including the ability of the RMS to handle the transition requirements and optimal agency procedures for entering and coding NIBRS data. The SME 

developed considerations on how to transition systems using state and federal guidelines along with promising 

practices, and worked with the CPD to develop goals to aid in the transition.

In addition, CRI-TAC assigned a regional SME 

familiar with the specific RMS software used by 

the CPD. Through a remote capacity, the SME 

was able to assist the CPD in learning troubleshooting techniques and aid in creating strategies 

that will make the transition more seamless for 

the entire agency.

Since this technical assistance, the agency has 

been able to update its coding, inputs, queries, 

and has strengthened local partnerships to 

achieve a successful transition to NIBRS.

4. CRI-TAC profile: 

Casper (Wyoming) Police Department

Agency size: 118 sworn

Population served (est.): 57,814

Topic(s): Crime analysis, intelligence and 

information sharing

Technical assistance: Resource referral, 

virtual coaching/mentoring consultation, 

on-site consultation

Status: Active Technical Assistance
Updating a college campus emergency preparedness plan

The Occidental College (California) Campus Safety Department (OCCSD) requested guidance in updating its 

emergency operations policies and plan of action as well as on-site training for emergency preparedness. 

The goal was to ensure that the agency was pre-

-

-

-

-

-

pared to manage an emergency in an effective, 

efficient, and timely manner.

To initiate the technical assistance, CRI-TAC pro

vided the OCCSD with access to Policy Develop

ment for Campus Public Safety, an online training 

developed by CRI-TAC partner International 

Association of Campus Law Enforcement Admin

istrators (IACLEA).

CRI-TAC identified a campus specific SME who 

reviewed the current OCCSD emergency opera

tions policies and procedures. Through this policy 

review, the SME offered considerations to help 

guide the agency on the incorporation of prom

ising emergency preparedness practices. The SME 

then traveled to Occidental College to assist the agency with facilitating on-site meetings with the Emergency 

Operations Committee to implement a collaborative, campus-wide, emergency operations plan.

5. CRI-TAC profile: 

Occidental College (California) 

Campus Safety Department

Agency size: 18 nonsworn

Population served (est.): 3,000

Topic(s): School safety

Technical assistance: Resource referral, web-based 

training, policy review, virtual coaching/mentoring, 

meeting facilitation, in-person training

Status: Complete

“The challenges that a small campus safety department faces serving 

a private college, situated in a major metropolitan area, are many. 

However, through the CRI-TAC, Occidental College has been able to 

take advantage of no-cost technical assistance and training specifically 

designed to meet our unique needs. This assistance helped to support 

Oxy’s Campus Safety Department’s adherence to national standards and 

emerging practices.”

— Rick C. Tanksley, Director of Campus Safety, Occidental College, CA

Program Performance 31
32 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

Following the site visit, the SME returned to provide a customized one-day, eight-hour emergency preparedness 

training to OCCSD staff and members of the Emergency Operations Committee. This course created a unique, 

true-to-life training experience that enhanced the learning objectives, so trainees were able to master their 

decision-making abilities and hone lifesaving skills required when split-second decisions matter most.

As a result of the CRI-TAC technical assistance, emergency preparedness and management is now a top priority 

of not only the campus safety department but of the entire campus administration.

Assisting in the development of a tribal law enforcement agency

The Klamath Tribal Council (KTC), with its administrative offices in Chiloquin, Oregon, requested assistance 

-

-

-

in creating a tribal-administered law enforcement agency that is sustainable and appropriate given the 

uniqueness of the Klamath Tribes. To be successful, the to-be-created law enforcement agency will need con

tinued buy-in and ongoing support from the Tribal Council, the Tribal members, and non-tribal jurisdiction stakeholders.

This active technical assistance is multi-tiered 

involving tribal-specific SMEs going on-site to 

present to the council on the intricacies of creat

ing a tribal police department. SMEs will discuss 

with the Tribal Council logistics on agency policy 

development, best practices from their experi

ences in establishing law enforcement agencies, 

and engage the Klamath Tribal members to 

ensure and maintain community buy-in.

Following the discussions, the SMEs will provide 

remote assistance including a review of current 

capabilities and existing structures within the 

human resources and administrative pathways for hiring agency personnel and a law enforcement executive, develop a start-up budget, identify sustainable funding sources, develop MOU/As with surrounding law 

enforcement agencies, and determine local jail responsibilities.

6. CRI-TAC Profile: 

Klamath Tribal Council; Chiloquin, Oregon

Agency size: 0 sworn

Population served (est.): 5,400

Topic(s): Tribal law enforcement

Technical assistance: Resource referral, virtual 

coaching/mentoring, on-site consultation

Status: Active Technical Assistance
-

-

-

-

“I believe the process of working with CRI-TAC has been going exceptionally well. 

So far, on the assistance, they are providing on the development of our own 

Tribal Public Safety Department for the Klamath Tribes. Bringing subject matter 

experts to the table to assist has been very helpful. Even during the COVID-19 

pandemic, CRI-TAC has been very vigilant on making sure that all of our needs 

and questions are addressed.”

— Zak Jackson, Klamath Tribes Emergency Manager

Program Performance 33

SMEs will then assist the KTC in developing a strategic implementation timeline to include key milestones for 

standing up a sustainable law enforcement agency. Further considerations will be provided on recruitment and 

hiring of officers, assisting the KTC in accessing resources and training, and identifying long-term goals of the 

agency to create a sustainable department.

The full suite of assistance will be delivered with an awareness of the federal and state laws governing Oregon 

Tribal law enforcement.

Developing a comprehensive officer safety and wellness strategic plan

The Warren (Michigan) Police Department (WPD) 

requested assistance in developing and imple

menting a comprehensive officer safety and well

ness strategic plan to include a review of policies 

and practices, training updates, and resources for 

department personnel.

The multitiered approach started with the WPD 

receiving CRI-TAC partner FBI National Academy 

Associates’ (FBINAA) training program Compre

hensive Officer Resiliency Train-the-Trainer. The 

training promotes creating an environment of 

well-being among first responders with the goal 

to impact officer performance, safety, and atti

tudes, as well as presenting a blueprint on how 

to break the cycle of hypervigilance, vicarious 

trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

7. CRI-TAC Profile: 

Warren (Michigan) Police Department

Agency size: 202 sworn

Population served (est.): 144,000

Topic(s): Officer safety and wellness

Technical assistance: Resource referral, virtual

coaching/mentoring, on-site consultation, inperson training

Status: Active Technical Assistance
34 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

Through remote consultation, SMEs provided 

guidance on a strategic planning framework for 

building a path to implementation for officer 

safety and wellness goals. A review of current 

WPD policies, procedures, and programs has 

further allowed SMEs to assist the WPD in 

identifying opportunities for enhancement to 

current efforts to include building agency-wide 

input and support. On-site technical assistance 

plans include assisting the WPD with internal 

focus group facilitation, briefings with executive 

staff, and guidance with creating a diverse group 

of personnel to serve as the Strategic Planning 

Implementation Committee.

This tiered delivery approach was created to 

assist in shifting organizational culture, managing and facilitating change, and fostering a 

collaborative approach to department operations 

related to officer safety and wellness. 

-

NAWLEE Executive Director Kym Craven presenting 

on National and Local Trends in Recruitment, Hiring, 

and Retention during the West Greenwich, RI technical 

assistance workshop

Hosting a recruitment, hiring, 

and retention workshop

The West Greenwich (Rhode Island) Police 

Department requested assistance for Rhode 

Island and other local law enforcement agencies to come together and discuss challenges 

in recruitment, hiring, and retention within 

the region.

On January 29, 2020, CRI-TAC hosted Recruitment, Hiring, and Retention: National and Local Trends in 

Portsmouth, Rhode Island, with more than 35 individuals in attendance from Rhode Island and New York 

law enforcement agencies.

The day started with a presentation on national trends by CRI-TAC partner NAWLEE, followed by a panel discus

sion from peer agency personnel representing diverse agency size and type. The rest of the day focused on large 

group discussion and small working group problem-solving sessions. The day ended with a large discussion on 

key takeaways and next steps.

8. CRI-TAC Profile: 

West Greenwich (Rhode Island) 

Police Department

Agency size: 12 sworn

Population served (est.): 6,231

Topic(s): Recruitment, hiring, and retention

Technical assistance: Resource referral, peer 

exchange, on-site consultation

Status: Active Technical Assistance
Program Performance 35

9. CRI-TAC Profile: 

Pepperell (Massachusetts) 

Police Department 

(primary requestor)

Agency size: 18 sworn

Population served (est.): 12,146

Topic(s): Crisis intervention, public 

sector coordination and partnerships

Technical assistance: Resource referral, 

on-site consultation, in-person training

Status: Active Technical Assistance

CRI-TAC Profile: 

Ashby (Massachusetts) 

Police Department

Agency size: 8 sworn

Population served (est.): 3,223

CRI-TAC Profile: 

Ayer (Massachusetts) 

Police Department

Agency size: 20 sworn

Population served (est.): 8,145

CRI-TAC Profile: 

Boxborough (Massachusetts) 

Police Department

Agency size: 13 sworn

Population served (est.): 6,401

CRI-TAC Profile: 

Dunstable (Massachusetts) 

Police Department

Agency size: 8 sworn

Population served (est.): 3,379

CRI-TAC Profile: 

Groton (Massachusetts) 

Police Department

Agency size: 20 sworn

Population served (est.): 11,364

CRI-TAC Profile: 

Littleton (Massachusetts) 

Police Department

Agency size: 19 sworn

Population served (est.): 10,115

CRI-TAC Profile: 

Shirley (Massachusetts) 

Police Department

Agency size: 10 sworn

Population served (est.): 7,672

CRI-TAC Profile: 

Townsend (Massachusetts) 

Police Department

Agency size: 15 sworn

Population served (est.): 9,522

CRI-TAC Profile: 

Westford (Massachusetts) 

Police Department

Agency size: 47 sworn

Population served (est.): 24,310
36 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

Implementing crisis intervention

The Pepperell (Massachusetts) Police Department (PPD), the lead agency on this request, and nine surrounding 

agencies (Ashby, Ayer, Boxborough, Dunstable, Groton, Littleton, Shirley, Townsend, and Westford Police Departments) have committed to implementing effective police responses to persons affected by mental illness. These 

10 agencies with a combined sworn force of 178 officers serve a combined population of 96,277, requested 

assistance to create a crisis intervention strategic plan that will serve as a regional model. In addition to the 

plan, these agencies requested customized, regional training for law enforcement, local hospitals, treatment 

centers, and stakeholders.

CRI-TAC coordinated with CIT International, Inc. to provide this multi-faceted technical assistance. SMEs met 

with representatives and stakeholders from the 10 requesting agencies to develop a strategic plan for the 

regional crisis intervention program, along with reviewing existing policies.

CIT International conducted a modified Sequential Intercept Mapping (SIM) exercise specifically geared toward 

crisis intervention program development. The SIM facilitators provided background information about the 

challenges involved in increasing collaboration between the behavioral health and criminal justice systems, a 

necessary part of improving system responses to those with behavioral health disorders. The SIM facilitators 

also described other critical components of crisis intervention programs, including the importance of data col-

-

lection to assess outcomes. Law enforcement and community partners worked together to closely examine how 

the current crisis response system is structured with the goal of transforming the crisis response system in their 

region. CIT International provided a report of the exercise, including considerations for modifying the current 

crisis response system to meet the needs for this regional approach.

CIT International will conduct follow-up remote consultation to help this regional coalition identify measures, 

data, and analysis strategies for developing an outcome measurement program to monitor progress in meeting 

their localized crisis intervention program goals.

Finally, CIT International will provide a 40-hour crisis intervention training for the region. Using a national 

curriculum, the trainers will work with local content experts and regional program/training personnel to deliver 

the content that requires local participation (mental health agency staff, family members and persons with 

lived experience). In addition, they will provide a two-and-a-half-day train-the-trainer course to regional train

ing personnel to prepare them to implement the crisis intervention program and future training for the region. 
“Pepperell and the other nine towns that make up our Community Outreach 

Initiative Network (COIN) exist in an area of Massachusetts where resources 

for those suffering from mental health and/or substance use disorders 

are scarce. In addition, most of our police departments were struggling to 

complete our promise to IACP’s One Mind Campaign due to a lack of Crisis 

Intervention Training in our area. Getting connected to the CRI-TAC team 

has been vital in assisting us in identifying resources through a Sequential 

Intercept Mapping workshop in order to one day host our own Crisis 

Intervention Training. We simply would not be able to do this without them.”

— David Scott, Chief of Police, Pepperell (MA) Police Department

Program Performance 37

How to Request Technical Assistance

“This is not similar to other federal programs that bog [you] down in paperwork and 

bureaucracy. This is truly a ‘where the rubber meets the road’ program that provides 

inputs and guidance/supports where it is locally needed and necessary.”

— Black Hawk County (IA) Sheriff’s Office Customer Satisfaction Survey

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 (also see figure 11 on page 40).

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 CRI-TAC staff partners. This call gives you the opportunity to discuss your request and technical 

assistance needs.

“NAWLEE believes not only in the CRI-TAC concept and service delivery 

model, but in the depth and breadth of the partnership. Working together 

the partners are able to leverage their strengths and vast network to 

ensure agencies are receiving the highest level of service possible. It is 

unprecedented that a department can access the nation’s leading nonprofit 

police associations in a single telephone call.” 

— Kym Craven, Executive Director, NAWLEE

39
40 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

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.

Step 4. Technical assistance work plan

Once your request is approved, 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 sub-

-

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

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.

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

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

needs of the field.

“The services that were provided helped with internal and external communication 

along with relationship building with community partners. The information helped 

with certain issues and circumstances as it provided and taught a higher level of 

communication and engagement.”

— Fort Myers (FL) Police Department Closeout Report

Figure 11. Simple, low-burden process
41

On Deck in 2020

Opportunities abound in the third year of CRI-TAC. In addition to our continued technical assistance to law 

enforcement agencies, CRI-TAC is responding to COVID-19, developing various training initiatives, and continuing to advance a formal evaluation of select sites.

Meeting the needs of law enforcement during 

the COVID-19 pandemic

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, CRI-TAC had mobilized to provide 

this support. At the time of this publication, CRITAC has responded and will continue to respond to 

the needs of agencies during the COVID-19 crisis 

throughout 2020 by providing technical assis-

-

tance, facilitating information sharing, developing 

resources, hosting remote agency exchanges, and 

tracking and reporting on the impact of the pan

demic on law enforcement. 

-

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.

“CRI-TAC is a tremendous resource that was 

used to benefit multiple police agencies in the 

Chicago region in becoming more prepared to 

deal with active threats.”

— Park Forest (IL) Police Department Closeout Report

Assisting the nation’s border sheriffs through 

interdiction training

Through other efforts, the COPS Office and the NSA are working to meet the needs of the nation’s sheriffs 

along the southwest and northern borders. A repeated request from these agencies is interdiction training. 

Using the successful Northern Texas Interdiction Team model, CRI-TAC is providing basic criminal interdiction 

training with the goal to help requesting agencies develop their own interdiction team. This is one example of 

how CRI-TAC is continuing to provide direct, customized training and technical assistance for individual sher

iffs’ offices as well as the development and implementation of broader, crosscutting strategic objectives for the 

Southwestern border agencies.
42 Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field

Supporting national de-escalation training

As referenced in the first annual report, de-escalation 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 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 have the 

opportunity to practice scenario-based situations in 

either 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 late spring of 2020, with a 

full implementation roll out in summer of 2020.

-

-

-

APD trainers conducting a mock-up of the hate crimes training 

as part of the CRI-TAC partner review process

Collaborating to develop national hate crimes training

As announced in October 2019,9 CRI-TAC is collab

orating with Arlington (Texas) Police Department 

(APD) to develop a national in-person hate crimes 

training curriculum as part of a larger suite of train

ing options on the subject. This training suite will build the capacity and competency of law enforcement to 

investigate and accurately report hate crimes, while strengthening trust with the community. CRI-TAC will pilot 

the training in late spring of 2020, with a full implementation roll-out in summer of 2020.

9. 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.

Expanding assistance to tribes and 

tribal law enforcement agencies

CRI-TAC will continue 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 inves

tigations. CRI-TAC will be reviewing various options to provide technical assistance to the task force through 

exploring how programs such as the Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) can assist with missing persons cases in 

Indian country.
On Deck in 2020 43

Ongoing evaluation of CRI-TAC

CRI-TAC is continuing to partner with the IACP/University of Cincinnati (UC) Center for Police Research and 

Policy to provide an evaluation of the program’s performance in select sites while using qualitative and quan-

-

-

titative methods to evaluate processes as well as impact. This work will not only help us continually improve 

the program of services we are offering the field but also help the field identify effective practices in addressing 

issues of critical importance.

Continuing service to the field

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

tance through the COPS Office and our partners in CRI-TAC is strong. During the third year, we will continue 

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

tance, training, support, and resources they need to protect the communities they serve.
44

About the COPS Office

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

-

ment 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 prob

lem-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.

•	 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, www.cops.usdoj.gov. This website is also the grant application portal, providing access to online application forms.

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 two years, the center fielded more 

than 300 requests for assistance from campus, local, county, tribal, and state agencies on critical 

issues like school safety, active shooter response, de-escalation, crisis intervention, and intelligence 

and information sharing. 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 www.cops.usdoj.gov.

e032023946

Published 2020