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Streamlining of Administrative Activities and Federal Financial Assistance Functions in the Office of Justice Programs and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services

Report No. 03-27
August 2003
Office of the Inspector General


Appendix 1
Description of the Office of Justice Programs'
Bureaus, Program Offices, and Support Offices

BUREAUS

Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). This bureau was established by the Omnibus Crime Control & Safe Streets Act of 1968 § 401. BJA provides funding, training, and technical assistance to State and local governments to combat violent, and drug-related crime and help improve the criminal justice system. This bureau now includes the former Drug Courts Program Office and the former Corrections Program Office.

Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). This bureau was established by the Omnibus Crime Control & Safe Streets Act of 1968 § 302. BJS collects and analyzes statistical data on crime and the operations of justice systems at all levels of government. It also provides financial and technical support to State governments in developing State capabilities in criminal justice statistics, improving criminal history records, and implementing crime identification technology systems.

National Institute of Justice (NIJ). This bureau was established by the Omnibus Crime Control & Safe Streets Act of 1968 § 202. NIJ supports research and development programs, conducts demonstrations of innovative approaches to improve criminal justice, develops and tests new criminal justice technologies, evaluates the effectiveness of justice programs, and disseminates research findings to practitioners and policy makers. NIJ also provides primary support for the National Criminal Justice Reference Service, a clearinghouse of criminal justice-related publications, articles, videotapes, and online information.

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This bureau was established through the Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 § 201. OJJDP provides award funding to improve juvenile justice systems and sponsors innovative research, demonstration, evaluation, statistics, and technical assistance and training programs to improve the nation's understanding of and response to juvenile violence and delinquency.

Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). This bureau was established through the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 § 1411. OVC provides funding to States to support programs that provide direct assistance to crime victims and compensate crime victims for medical and other unreimbursed expenses resulting from violent crimes. OVC also sponsors training for State, and local criminal justice officials and other professionals to help improve their response to crime victims and their families.

PROGRAM OFFICES

Office of the Police Corps and Law Enforcement Education (OPCLEE). This program office was also created by the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, but was established in the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). In November 1998, OPCLEE transferred from the COPS Office to OJP. OPCLEE provides college educational assistance to students who commit to public service and to dependent children of officers killed in the line of duty.

Office on Violence Against Women (VAWO). This program office was established by the Violence Against Women Act of 1994. This office administers programs designed to detect, prevent, and stop violence against women, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Subsequent legislation has established new programs, such as initiatives addressing elder abuse, violence against women with disabilities, transitional housing for domestic violence victims, battered immigrants, victims of dating violence.

Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP). This program office was administratively established by the Conference Report 105-504 for the Commerce/Justice/State Appropriations for 1998 (P.L. 105-119); the Attorney General delegated authority to OJP to establish a program to develop and administer training for safety against biological and chemical terrorism. ODP develops and implements a national program to enhance the capacity of State and local agencies to respond to incidents of domestic terrorism, particularly those involving weapons of mass destruction, through coordinated training, equipment acquisition, technical assistance, and support for Federal, State, and local exercises.

Community Capacity Development Office. This program office provides direct services to the field by working closely with local communities to empower them to solve local problems and build capacity at the local level. This office includes the Executive Office for Weed and Seed and the American Indian and Alaskan Native Desk.

SUPPORT OFFICES

Office for Civil Rights (OCR). This support office is responsible for ensuring that recipients of financial assistance from OJP, its component organizations, and the COPS Office are not engaged in prohibited discrimination. The OCR ensures that potential and existing grantees fully comply with all civil rights laws and regulations so that needed State assistance may commence or continue.

Office of General Counsel (OGC). This support office provides legal advice and guidance to OJP and its component bureaus.

Office of Communications. This support office is responsible for managing media and congressional activities to include:

This office also now includes the publishing central functions.

Chief Information Office. This support office provides automated systems development and support and network integration for OJP.

Office of Management and Administration. This support office combines the Office of Administration (except the Information Resources Management Division), Office of Budget and Management Services, Office of the Comptroller, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Office.

Office of Administration (OA). This support office serves as the principal advisor to the Assistant Attorney General for OJP on matters involving human resources recruitment and management; labor relations; contracting and procurement; property and space management; and the maintenance, safety, and security of facilities.