LEN Interview with Jeremy Travis, Director of the National Institute of Justice

• NCJ Number: 173131
• Author(s): M. S. Rosen
• Date Published: January 1996
• Length: 4 pages
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored

Annotation

This interview with the Director of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) discusses some of the organization's activities and plans.

Abstract

Jeremy Travis was appointed Director of NIJ by President Clinton in March 1994. Since taking office he has developed a broad research plan intended to allow more flexibility in what is funded. One of the main items on NIJ's agenda is the evaluation of the COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) program, the Clinton Administration's initiative to fund the hiring of 100,000 community policing officers. Whereas in the past NIJ personnel oversaw research conducted by outside individuals, Travis is emphasizing what he calls "intramural research." One of the first such efforts, "Violence in American Cities," will have NIJ researchers looking at crime rates over the last 10 years in 75 of the country's largest jurisdictions in an attempt to learn why levels of crime have fluctuated. NIJ will also evaluate specific crime control strategies, and will fund research into understanding the relationship between the police and the community and into understanding the practical applications of research. In addition, NIJ will encourage increased police input into setting the research agenda.