Defensive Tactics and Specialized Traffic Enforcement

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states and units of local government, including tribes, to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own state and local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice, including for any one or more of the following purpose areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) corrections and community corrections programs; 5) drug treatment and enforcement programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).

The city of Westfield will use the FY 2010 JAG funds to support the Westfield Police Department with their Defensive Tactics and Specialized Traffic Enforcement project. Currently, there is no training program set up by the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council (MCJTC) through the Municipal Police Institute that trains officers in defensive tactics. The grant funds will be used to train all personnel in defensive tactics. In addition to the training, the funds will be used to purchase 3 hand-held motorcycle radar units. The radar units will allow the officers to better enforce compliance with speeding laws and all other traffic infractions. In an effort to continue to expand the Community Policing philosophy, the funds will also allow for a purchase of the services of Crime Reports, thus allowing citizens direct access to crime information that is specific to their area, while safely using the database.

NCA/NCF