The Weapons and Protective Systems Technologies Center - A Criminal Justice Technology Center of Excellence

This project will continue the maintenance and execution of the Weapons and Protective Systems Technology Center (WPSTC) for the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) through its National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC) System. Among other activities, this center will support NIJ's efforts to provide law enforcement responders with better equipment to protect them against terrorist attacks with chemical and biological weapons and to counter improvised explosive devices. The WPSTC will support the Office of Science and Technology (OST) research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) process by assisting in the identification of state and local criminal justice agency technology needs and operational requirements; and coordinating testing, demonstration, and evaluation of new technologies emerging from the OST R&D cycle to assist state and local agencies with their purchasing decisions. Pennsylvania State University will also gather the needs and requirements of state and local law enforcement in the Less Lethal, Pursuit Management, Officer Safety, and Explosives portfolios. Its efforts will result in the adoption into practice of improved tools and technologies for use by state, local, and other law enforcement agencies.
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This award provides supplemental funding to award 2010-IJ-CX-K005. This award was competitively made to a proposal submitted by Pennsylvania State University (PSU) in response to an NIJ FY2010 solicitation "Weapons and Protective Systems Technology Center of Excellence". The purpose of this supplemental funding is to enable PSU to continue to host the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC) System's Weapons and Protective Systems Technologies (WPSTC) Center of Excellence (COE). The principal role of the COEs is to support NIJ's research programs. They assist NIJ in identifying the technology needs of the criminal justice community and conduct related research, test, and evaluation activities. They also develop the equipment performance standards that underpin the NIJ compliance-testing program as well as best practices guides. They provide technology assistance, assisting criminal justice agencies to address specific technology issues. Specific activities that the WPSTC will undertake with these supplemental funds include: (1)conducting an officer injury database pilot in support of NIJ's efforts to identify the major causes of disabling injuries to law enforcement and corrections officers; (2) continued support for development of a multi-hazard duty uniform for everyday wear by law enforcement officers; (3) development of a guide to assist SWAT teams in conducting mission gap analyses; (4) updating the National Strategic Plan for U.S. Bomb Squads; and (5) conducting a study to determine the feasibility of developing a performance standard for Pepper Spray. nca/ncf

This project was competitively awarded under the Weapons and Protective Systems Technology Center of Excellence solicitation. The purpose of that solicitation was to establish a Weapons and Protective Systems Technology Center of Excellence (COE) within the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center System (the "NLECTC System"). The principal purpose of the NLECTC COEs is to assist in the transition of law enforcement technology from the laboratory into practice by first adopters within the criminal justice community. For example, the COEs routinely conduct technical assessments of the technology products resulting from NIJ-funded R&D work, and they conduct relevant, focused studies to assist NIJ in identifying the technology needs of the criminal justice community. The COEs also develop equipment performance standards and guides.

The purpose of this supplement is to enable Pennsylvania State University to complete three tasks: 1-Testing of conducted energy devices (Taser®) involved in in-custody deaths. 2-Completing development of a guide to assist SWAT teams in conducting mission gap analyses. 3-Completing evaluation of a multi-purpose/multi-threat duty uniform. This is intended to be the last increment of funding for this award.
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