New Perspectives on Criminal Justice Research and Education

• NCJ Number: 164497
• Date Published: 1995
• Author(s): J Travis
• Length: 15 pages
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Issue Overview

Annotation

The Director of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) spoke at the First Annual Criminal Justice Trainers and Educators Conference, held in Tampa, Florida, in 1995, about criminal justice research, NIJ directions, education and training needs in the criminal justice field, and advanced technology developments.

Abstract

Since its establishment in 1968 as the research arm of the Department of Justice, the NIJ has supported research, development, and evaluation on a wide range of criminal justice topics. Research funds available to the NIJ have increased, and substantial funds have been committed to community policing. The NIJ's policing research plan is tied to Title I of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. A key element of the research plan is to support locally initiated research in order to encourage collaboration between police departments and researchers. The NIJ's research agenda, however, extends beyond the evaluation of specific initiatives under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act. Research also focuses on juvenile violence, criminal sanctions, and the relationship between drugs and crime. Implications of research for police education and training are discussed, and progress being made to improve police education and police recruitment processes is reported. In addition, the NIJ is concerned with linking police education to promotion, developing police executives and leaders, and applying new technologies to criminal justice. 13 notes