Criminal Justice Testing and Evaluation Consortium

The applicant proposes to form a consortium to act as an honest broker for the nation’s criminal justice practitioners to provide objective and rigorous test and evaluation of critical technologies for law enforcement, correction, and courts. The Consortium will provide four key assets in collaboration with the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), including the evaluation of emerging tools that are identified through a proven process of technology scouting and assessment; laboratory and field test, evaluation, and demonstration to determine effectiveness and impact using a diverse array of expertise and capabilities in the Consortium; establishment or update of performance-based standards for key technologies; and operation of a Compliance Testing Program (CTP) for ballistic- and stab-resistant body armor and other technologies as needed.

The Consortium will leverage its existing infrastructure to communicate results of its work using written reports, scientific and trade journals, a dedicated website, webinars, podcasts, social media, conferences, technology workshops, and other outreach mechanisms. The Consortium will be led by RTI International, which will serve as the hub for operational oversight and technical capacity for the program. RTI scientists have experience in every aspect of technology and social science relevant to the criminal justice community. The Consortium includes the acquisition of the personnel who currently operate NIJ’s CTP, which has managed the CTP successfully for NIJ for decades; the Police Executive Research Forum, a national leader in the development of rigorous policy and protocols for the use of criminal justice use; three universities, including Virginia Tech University, North Carolina State University, and Denver University, which bring expertise across a diverse set of science and engineering disciplines; nonprofit organizations to perform key tasks in collaboration with the Consortium, including the Safety Equipment Institute, Wireless Research Center, and the International Association of the Chiefs of Police. Together, the Consortium partners will work with NIJ to implement technology advancements that continuously improve public safety.

"Note: This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law," and complies with Part 200 Uniform Requirements - 2 CFR 200.210(a)(14). NCA/NCF

The applicant proposes to form a consortium to act as an honest broker for the nation’s criminal justice practitioners to provide objective and rigorous test and evaluation of critical technologies for law enforcement, correction, and courts. The Consortium will provide four key assets in collaboration with the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), including the evaluation of emerging tools that are identified through a proven process of technology scouting and assessment; laboratory and field test, evaluation, and demonstration to determine effectiveness and impact using a diverse array of expertise and capabilities in the Consortium; establishment or update of performance-based standards for key technologies; and operation of a Compliance Testing Program (CTP) for ballistic- and stab-resistant body armor and other technologies as needed. The Consortium will leverage its existing infrastructure to communicate results of its work using written reports, scientific and trade journals, a dedicated website, webinars, podcasts, social media, conferences, technology workshops, and other outreach mechanisms. The Consortium will be led by RTI International, which will serve as the hub for operational oversight and technical capacity for the program. RTI scientists have experience in every aspect of technology and social science relevant to the criminal justice community. The Consortium includes the acquisition of the personnel who currently operate NIJ’s CTP, which has managed the CTP successfully for NIJ for decades; the Police Executive Research Forum, a national leader in the development of rigorous policy and protocols for the use of criminal justice use; three universities, including Virginia Tech University, North Carolina State University, and Denver University, which bring expertise across a diverse set of science and engineering disciplines; nonprofit organizations to perform key tasks in collaboration with the Consortium, including the Safety Equipment Institute, Wireless Research Center, and the International Association of the Chiefs of Police. Together, the Consortium partners will work with NIJ to implement technology advancements that continuously improve public safety. "Note: This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law," and complies with Part 200 Uniform Requirements - 2 CFR 200.210(a)(14). NCA/NCF

The Criminal Justice Testing and Evaluation Consortium (CJTEC) provides rigorous and independent information to the criminal justice community concerning emerging technologies and practices to meet critical operational needs in policing, corrections, and courts. Based on input from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the field, CJTEC conducts technology foraging activities to find new solutions that meet requirements in high-priority areas. CJTEC examines technologies that meet current operational needs and new technologies that may transform practice in unanticipated directions. CJTEC conducts testing and evaluation to examine system performance, safety, and operational impact. CJTEC offers insight, guidance, and evaluation on topics such as counter-unmanned aircraft systems, artificial intelligence, contraband detection, drug impaired driving, community engagement, offender reentry, evidence tracking, and wireless power. CJTEC also administers the NIJ Compliance Testing Program (CTP), which determines the compliance of body armor and other systems with consensus standards. The CTP includes initial type testing, follow-on inspection, and administrative reviews. Finally, CJTEC manages the NIJ Special Technical Committee process to develop new standards or update existing standards for criminal justice equipment. In conjunction with its full range of activities, CJTEC publishes reports, guides, and related content to assist stakeholders in the adoption of proven systems into practice. Furthermore, CJTEC develops semi-annual reports, quarterly financial reports, quarterly CTP and equipment standard presentations, monitoring briefings, and evaluation reports to inform the NIJ of ongoing operations and efforts. Under its cooperative agreement with NIJ, CJTEC includes a wide range of academic, commercial, and nonprofit partners to deliver cutting-edge capabilities across all criminal justice and scientific disciplines. Significant partnerships include Virginia Tech’s Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership, the Safety Equipment Institute, the University of Denver, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Police Executive Research Forum. CJTEC provides a unique capability to the criminal justice community to maximize the impact of agency investments to improve the safety and effectiveness of police, corrections, and court personnel and the communities they serve across the United States.

The applicant proposes to form a consortium to act as an honest broker for the nation’s criminal justice practitioners to provide objective and rigorous test and evaluation of critical technologies for law enforcement, correction, and courts. The Consortium will provide four key assets in collaboration with the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), including the evaluation of emerging tools that are identified through a proven process of technology scouting and assessment; laboratory and field test, evaluation, and demonstration to determine effectiveness and impact using a diverse array of expertise and capabilities in the Consortium; establishment or update of performance-based standards for key technologies; and operation of a Compliance Testing Program (CTP) for ballistic- and stab-resistant body armor and other technologies as needed. The Consortium will leverage its existing infrastructure to communicate results of its work using written reports, scientific and trade journals, a dedicated website, webinars, podcasts, social media, conferences, technology workshops, and other outreach mechanisms. The Consortium will be led by RTI International, which will serve as the hub for operational oversight and technical capacity for the program. RTI scientists have experience in every aspect of technology and social science relevant to the criminal justice community. The Consortium includes the acquisition of the personnel who currently operate NIJ’s CTP, which has managed the CTP successfully for NIJ for decades; the Police Executive Research Forum, a national leader in the development of rigorous policy and protocols for the use of criminal justice use; three universities, including Virginia Tech University, North Carolina State University, and Denver University, which bring expertise across a diverse set of science and engineering disciplines; nonprofit organizations to perform key tasks in collaboration with the Consortium, including the Safety Equipment Institute, Wireless Research Center, and the International Association of the Chiefs of Police. Together, the Consortium partners will work with NIJ to implement technology advancements that continuously improve public safety. "Note: This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law," and complies with Part 200 Uniform Requirements - 2 CFR 200.210(a)(14). CA/NCF

The Criminal Justice Testing and Evaluation Consortium (CJTEC) provides rigorous and independent information to the criminal justice community concerning emerging technologies and practices to meet critical operational needs in policing, corrections, and courts. Based on input from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the criminal justice community, CJTEC conducts technology foraging activities to find new solutions that meet requirements in high-priority areas. CJTEC examines technologies that meet current operational needs and new technologies that may transform practice in unanticipated directions. CJTEC also conducts testing and evaluation to examine system performance, safety, and operational impact. CJTEC administers the NIJ Compliance Testing Program (CTP), which determines the compliance of ballistic- and stab-resistant body armor and other items of public safety equipment. The CTP includes initial type testing, follow-on inspection, and administrative reviews. Finally, CJTEC manages the NIJ Special Technical Committee (STC) process to develop new standards and update existing standards for criminal justice equipment. As part of the STC process, CJTEC supports ASTM through provision of technical advice and expertise to facilitate the development of ASTM consensus standards. In conjunction with its full range of activities, CJTEC publishes reports, guides, and related content to assist stakeholders in the adoption of proven systems into practice. Furthermore, CJTEC develops semi-annual reports, quarterly financial reports, quarterly CTP and equipment standard presentations, monitoring briefings, and evaluation reports to inform the NIJ of ongoing operations and efforts. Under its cooperative agreement with NIJ, CJTEC includes a wide range of academic, commercial, and nonprofit partners to deliver cutting-edge capabilities across all criminal justice and scientific disciplines. Much of CJTEC work and resources are provided to the community through the CJTEC website, www.CJTEC.org. CJTEC provides a unique capability to the criminal justice community to the impact of agency investments to improve the safety and effectiveness of police, corrections, and court personnel and the communities they serve across the United States. NCA/NCF