Regional Centers for Public-Safety Innovations (RCPI) National Network

The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program, administered by the Office of Justice Programs' (OJP's) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), furthers the Department's mission by assisting state and local jurisdictions in improving the criminal justice system and assisting communities in preventing drug abuse and crime. In fiscal year 2007, the Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program will focus on funding local, regional, and national efforts within six major categories: 1) targeting violent crime; 2) preventing crime and drug abuse; 3) enhancing local law enforcement; 4) enhancing local courts; 5) enhancing local corrections and offender reentry; and 6) facilitating justice information sharing. All categories combat, address, or otherwise respond to precipitous or extraordinary increases in crime, or in a type or types of crime.

The Missouri Regional Centers for Public-Safety Innovations (RCPI) at Missouri Western State University will be the lead RCPI responsible for coordinating the delivery of training for topic areas identified by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The Florida RCPI will administer a Gangs 101 training. The West Virginia RCPI will conduct the VIPS training. The Colorado RCPI will deliver the Counter Terrorism Awareness training. The Maine and Michigan RCPIs will be responsible for the conducting training topics identified by BJA. Each of the designated RCPIs will work with the other 26 network centers to schedule, coordinate, and co-sponsor trainings around the country. The Missouri RCPI will also establish a database and collect training and evaluation (validation) data. The Missouri RCPI will work in cooperation with BJA and its partners to post scheduled course information on the BJA website.

CA/NCF