U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

Police research

The Evaluation of NIJ by the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences: NIJ's Response

June 2011

The National Academies conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the National Institute of Justice. This panel provides an overview of the evaluation and NIJ's response to it. NIJ has accepted many of the recommendations in the NRC report, and you will learn what the agency is doing to implement them. A few of the recommendations were challenging and created considerable debate within NIJ. Plans to address these thorny issues also are discussed.

Transcript
The Evaluation of NIJ by the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences: NIJ's Response
Audio file
The Evaluation of NIJ: NIJ's Response to the Evaluation by the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences

The NIJ/IACP Partnership

January 2016

This video, featuring NIJ Director Nancy Rodriguez and Hassan Aden of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), describes the partnership between NIJ and IACP and how the two organizations are linking what we know about what works in policing to the field.

See the YouTube Terms of Service and Google Privacy Policy

NIJ’s Law Enforcement Advancing Data and Science (LEADS) Program

March 2016

This video, featuring NIJ Director Nancy Rodriguez, Hassan Aden of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and two scholars from the 2014 Law Enforcement Advancing Data and Science (LEADS) program, describes the LEADS program, how NIJ and IACP are building the next generation of law enforcement leadership, and how the program has benefited the scholars.

See the YouTube Terms of Service and Google Privacy Policy

Fighting the Opioid Crisis

Convening Police Leaders and Researchers to Learn Promising Practices and to Inform Research Agenda

Director Muhlhausen's prepared remarks at the NIJ-hosted Opioid Research Summit.

NIJ Director David B. Muhlhausen at the podium

NIJ Director Muhlhausen

Good morning and welcome to Washington, DC. It’s a privilege to host you here today at the National Institute of Justice. I’m particularly honored to have the Attorney General and the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General with us...

Innovative Approaches to Addressing Violent Crime

Prepared remarks by NIJ Director David B. Muhlhausen given at CNA Executive Session "Innovative Approaches to Addressing Violent Crime."

Good morning, and thank you for having me here. On behalf of the National Institute of Justice, I’d like to congratulate CNA on the celebration of its 75th anniversary of service. It’s an honor to be here. I’m glad to have the opportunity to share some...

Director’s Corner: Spotlight on NIJ Research at International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference

Next week, law enforcement leadership from around the world will attend the annual conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), in Philadelphia. On Saturday, October 21, NIJ will host our 4th annual Saturday Session around the theme “What Works and What Matters in Policing.”

The session will include three panels bringing together law enforcement and academic experts to discuss officer safety, technology...

Research Assistantship Opportunities at NIJ

December 2016

The NIJ Research Assistantship Program (RAP) is designed to provide highly qualified doctoral students with practical and applied research experience in criminal justice issues. NIJ provides funds to participating universities to pay salaries and other costs associated with research assistants who work on NIJ research activities.

This webinar reviews the opportunities that are currently available for the 2017-2018 academic year and will cover the application process, eligibility requirements and application deadlines.

Presenters include:

See the YouTube Terms of Service and Google Privacy Policy

Director’s Corner: Pushing the Edge on Evidence-Based Policing - Reflections on Research for the Real World

“Most of what we do has never been tested,” pointed out Dr. Angela Hawken, before going on to explain how her organization, BetaGov, is working to change that through hundreds of rapid-implementation randomized controlled trials (RCTs). BetaGov is an innovation hub out of New York University that supports public sector practitioners conducting evaluations of their programs. Dr. Hawken has a deep research background and is...

Director’s Corner: Advancing Evidence-Based Policing

This year NIJ celebrates its fiftieth anniversary. This anniversary has been an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come. Fifty years ago, 911, hot spot policing, and license plate reader technology didn’t exist. We should be proud of how far we’ve come.

The concept of evidence-based practice has been on the rise over the past decade, but there is still a dramatic need for...

Researcher-Practitioner Partnerships

Thank you, and good morning. My name is Howard Spivak and I am the Principal Deputy Director of the National Institute of Justice, NIJ.

For those of you who aren’t familiar, NIJ is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice. We use science to inform and advance criminal justice policies and practices across the country. To do this, we provide...

The State of the Police Field: A New Professionalism in Policing?

June 2010

Panelists debate the premise of a Harvard Executive Session working paper that suggests police organizations are striving for a "new" professionalism. Leaders are endeavoring for stricter standards of efficiency and conduct, while also increasing their legitimacy to the public and encouraging innovation. Is this new? Will this idea lead to prematurely discarding community policing as a guiding philosophy?

Transcript
The State of the Police Field: A New Professionalism in Policing?
Audio file
1 of 4: The State of the Police Field: A New Professionalism in Policing?, Ellen Scrivner, National Institute of Justice , 2 of 4: The State of the Police Field: A New Professionalism in Policing?, Christopher Stone, Daniel and Florence Guggenheim Professor of the Practice of Criminal Justice, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University , 3 of 4: The State of the Police Field: A New Professionalism in Policing?, David Sklansky, Yosef Osheawich Professor of Law and Faculty Chair, Berkeley Center for Criminal Justice, University of California, Berkeley, School of Law , 4 of 4: The State of the Police Field: A New Professionalism in Policing?, Ronald Davis, Chief, East Palo Alto Police Department, Calif.

Backlogs and Their Impact on the Criminal Justice System

June 2010

Evidence backlogs have been known to be an issue in crime laboratories. A recent study published by NIJ has shown that backlogs of untested evidence are also an issue in law enforcement evidence storage. This panel will discuss the issues and present preliminary findings from a study of the Los Angeles Police Department's and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's experience with clearing out a large backlog of unanalyzed rape kits.

Transcript
Backlogs and Their Impact on the Criminal Justice System
Audio file
1 of 8: Backlogs and Their Impact on the Criminal Justice System, Gerry LaPorte, National Institute of Justice , 2 of 8: Backlogs and Their Impact on the Criminal Justice System, Joseph L. Peterson, Professor and Director, School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics, California State University, Los Angeles , 3 of 8: Backlogs and Their Impact on the Criminal Justice System, Kevin J. Strom, Senior Research Scientist, Crime, Violence, and Justice Research Program, RTI International , 4 of 8: Backlogs and Their Impact on the Criminal Justice System, Joseph L. Peterson, Professor and Director, School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics, California State University, Los Angeles , 5 of 8: Backlogs and Their Impact on the Criminal Justice System, Dean M. Gialamas, Director, Scientific Services Bureau, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department , 6 of 8: Backlogs and Their Impact on the Criminal Justice System, Joseph L. Peterson, Professor and Director, School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics, California State University, Los Angeles , 7 of 8: Backlogs and Their Impact on the Criminal Justice System, Jeffrey Nye, DNA Technical Leader, Forensic Science Division, Michigan State Police , 8 of 8: Backlogs and Their Impact on the Criminal Justice System, Joseph L. Peterson, Professor and Director, School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics, California State University, Los Angeles

A View From the Street: Police Leaders Share Their Perspectives on Urgent Policy and Research Issues

June 2010

Sponsored by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and its Research Advisory Committee (RAC), this panel unites law enforcement leaders from across the country to discuss their policy and research concerns. Charles Wellford, IACP RAC co-chair and University of Maryland professor, will facilitate the panel. Presenters will discuss urgent policing issues that merit ongoing research, law enforcement and academic research partnerships, and how research can and does affect agency policy and operations.

Transcript
A View From the Street: Police Leaders Share Their Perspectives on Urgent Policy and Research Issues
Audio file
1 of 4: A View From the Street: Police Leaders Share Their Perspectives on Urgent Policy & Research Issues Facing Law Enforcement in 2010 & Beyond, Charles Wellford, Ph. D., Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Maryland , 2 of 4: A View From the Street: Police Leaders Share Their Perspectives on Urgent Policy & Research Issues Facing Law Enforcement in 2010 & Beyond, Stephanie Stoiloff, Senior Police Bureau Commander, Miami-Dade Police Department, Miami , 3 of 4: A View From the Street: Police Leaders Share Their Perspectives on Urgent Policy & Research Issues Facing Law Enforcement in 2010 & Beyond, J. Michael Ward II, Chief, Alexandria Police Department, Ky. , 4 of 4: A View From the Street: Police Leaders Share Their Perspectives on Urgent Policy & Research Issues Facing Law Enforcement in 2010 & Beyond, Bernard K. Melekian, Director, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services

Are CEDs Safe and Effective?

June 2010

Thousands of law enforcement agencies throughout the United States have adopted conducted energy devices (CEDs) as a safe method to subdue individuals, but are these devices really safe? What policies should agencies adopt to ensure the proper use of this technology? This NIJ Conference Panel discusses the physiological effects of electrical current in the human body caused by CEDs, as well as how this technology can reduce injuries to officers and suspects when appropriate policies and training are followed.

Transcript
Are CEDs Safe and Effective?
Audio file
1 of 5: Are CEDs Safe and Effective?, Joseph Cecconi, National Institute of Justice , 2 of 5: Are CEDs Safe and Effective?, John C. Hunsaker III, Associate Chief Medical Examiner, Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet , 3 of 5: Are CEDs Safe and Effective?, Scott Hammack, O'Melveny and Myers LLP , 4 of 5: Are CEDs Safe and Effective?, Eugene A. Paoline III, Associate Professor, Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies, University of Central Florida , 5 of 5: Are CEDs Safe and Effective?, William Terrill, Associate Professor, School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University

Situational Approaches to Making Communities and Correction Institutions Safer

June 2010

NIJ Conference panelists will present the results of three studies that applied situational crime prevention (SCP) principles: (1) an evaluation of the Safe City initiative in Chula Vista, Calif., designed to combine the expertise and resources of local law enforcement, retailers and the community to increase the safety of designated retail areas; (2) a randomized controlled trial (in partnership with the Washington Metro Transit Police) that assessed the effectiveness of SCP to reduce car crime in Metro's parking facilities; and (3) an evaluation of the impact of SCP

Transcript
Situational Approaches to Making Communities and Correction Institutions Safer
Audio file
1 of 4: Situational Approaches to Making Communities and Correction Institutions Safer, Winnie Reed, National Institute of Justice , 2 of 4: Situational Approaches to Making Communities and Correction Institutions Safer, Nancy La Vigne, Director, Justice Policy Institute, Urban Institute , 3 of 4: Situational Approaches to Making Communities and Correction Institutions Safer, Gary Wedge, Captain, Administrative Services Division, Chula Vista Police Department, Calif. , 4 of 4: Situational Approaches to Making Communities and Correction Institutions Safer, Tara H. Wildes, Chief, Jails Division, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Fla.

Using License Plate Readers to Fight Crime

June 2010

This is a joint panel of NIJ's Office of Research and Evaluation (ORE ) and Office of Science and Technology (OST). Panelists will discuss the latest efforts to implement license plate reader technology into policing operations. OST grantees will explain various aspects of the technology and an ORE grantee from the National Opinion Research Center will present findings from a study on the use of license plate readers to combat auto theft in Arizona.

Transcript
Using License Plate Readers to Fight Crime
Audio file
1 of 4: Using License Plate Readers to Fight Crime, William A. Ford, National Institute of Justice , 2 of 4: Using License Plate Readers to Fight Crime, Meghann Tracey, Project Manager, Technology Center, International Association of Chiefs of Police , 3 of 4: Using License Plate Readers to Fight Crime, Dale Stockton, Program Manager, Road Runner, Automated Regional Justice Information System , 4 of 4: Using License Plate Readers to Fight Crime, Bruce G. Taylor, Principal Research Scientist, Substance Abuse, Mental Health and Criminal Justice Studies Department, National Opinion Research Center, University of Chicago

Sexual Violence Research 15 Years After VAWA

June 2010

Panelists will summarize the progress and results of sexual violence research since the passage of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994. The panel will also examine how research has contributed to policy, assess current knowledge gaps and discuss research needs.

Transcript
Sexual Violence Research 15 Years After VAWA
Audio file
1 of 5: Sexual Violence Research 15 Years After VAWA, Karen J. Bachar, National Institute of Justice , 2 of 5: Sexual Violence Research 15 Years After VAWA, Rebecca Campbell, Professor of Community Psychology and Program Evaluation, Michigan State University , 3 of 5: Sexual Violence Research 15 Years After VAWA, Bonnie S. Fisher, Professor, Division of Criminal Justice and Research Fellow, Center for Criminal Justice Research, University of Cincinnati , 4 of 5: Sexual Violence Research 15 Years After VAWA, Rebecca Campbell, Professor of Community Psychology and Program Evaluation, Michigan State University , 5 of 5: Sexual Violence Research 15 Years After VAWA, Delilah Rumburg, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape

Director's Message: Advancing the Police Profession Through Science

Recent events across the country have made calls for criminal justice reform commonplace, and law enforcement in particular has been called upon to increase standards of performance and advance the field as a profession. At the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), we are committed to supporting law enforcement in their efforts to advance policing, and we strongly believe that science can play a pivotal role...

What Is Research and Evaluation Evidence and How Can We Use It?

June 2010

This NIJ Conference Panel will explore the development and use of evidence-based policies, programs and technologies to improve effectiveness and efficiencies related to government. Through casual observation, practices and programs may appear to be effective, but under closer scrutiny the results may look much different.

Transcript
What Is Research and Evaluation Evidence and How Can We Use It?
Audio file
Phelan Wyrick, Senior Social Science Analyst, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice , Stephanie Shipman, Assistant Director, Center for Evaluation Methods and Issues, Applied Research and Methods, U.S. Government Accountability Office , Ed McGarrell, Director and Professor, School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University , Phelan Wyrick — Part II

Message from the Director on the Law Enforcement Advancing Data and Science (LEADS) Initiative Strategic Plan

Portrait of David B. Muhlhausen, NIJ Director, and Alan Hanson, Acting Assistant Attorney General

Through the Law Enforcement Advancing Data and Science (LEADS) Initiative, the National Institute of Justice supports law enforcement using data and research to inform effective policies and practices.

Police-led research has never been more important. Increasingly, law enforcement agencies are expected to implement evidence-based practices to improve policing in a safe and just manner. As budget constraints force departments to invest wisely in courses of...