Signed into law on October 12, 1984, the Justice Assistance Act of 1984 established the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) within the U.S. Department of Justice. BJA was created with the mission of supporting local, state, and tribal efforts to reduce crime, create safer communities, and reform our Nation’s criminal justice system.
Key Events in BJA History
BJA's historical timeline highlights programs and events since 1984 that have helped state, local, territorial, and tribal communities reduce and prevent crime, create safer communities, and reform our Nation's criminal justice system.
Excellence in the Field of Criminal Justice Awards
To mark the 40th anniversary of the Justice Assistance Act of 1984, BJA will recognize the extraordinary efforts of individuals, teams, organizations, and agencies that have produced outstanding innovations and made significant contributions to our Nation’s criminal justice system. BJA will make awards in the following categories at an event later in the year:
Reducing Violent Crime Award
This award recognizes an individual or team for their significant contributions to the development and implementation of a successful approach to reduce violent crime in a specific jurisdiction or nationwide.
Co-Creating Safer Communities Award
This award recognizes an individual or team for their successful community engagement efforts in the co-creation of public safety within a jurisdiction. These efforts include outreach and connection to community residents and the establishment of partnerships with community stakeholders who are recognized and trusted by residents in information gathering, planning, and decision making.
Reforming Our Nation's Criminal Justice System Award
This award recognizes an individual or team for their accomplishments in transforming an aspect of the criminal justice system, such as law enforcement or forensic processes, prosecution or defense practices, the work of courts and judges, probation or supervision, corrections, crisis response, interactions with individuals with mental health or substance use disorders, or restorative justice practices.
Stay tuned to this page as we add resources throughout the year.