National Blue Courage Trainings for Law Enforcement Officers Initiative

The BJA Law Enforcement (LE) National Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Program is funded under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. The JAG Program (42 U.S.C. § 3751(a)) is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions, and JAG funds support all components of the criminal justice system. This FY 2013 LE National award focuses on provision of TTA to state and local law enforcement and crime prevention efforts targeting emerging crime. TTA will be developed and delivered in one of three categories to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system: (1) Educating the 21st Century Law Enforcement Officer; (2) Increasing Analytical Capacity: Training for the Law Enforcement Executive; and (3) Delivery of Evidenced-Based Violence Reduction Strategies.

Under category 1, the Greenville Technical College will deliver training, for state and local law enforcement officers, that provides for personal and cultural transformation; a change in thinking and behaving. Primary focus will be on the development of the "whole individual" and addresses character traits of courage and practical wisdom. The curriculum will focus on the human development of a police officer, and draw on relevant, proven literature and research on human effectiveness, positive psychology, leadership development, and neuroscience. Trainings will have modules to provide officers with the education and tools to be better prepared to deal with the many challenges they face including cynicism, relationships (both personal and professional), stress, complacency, integrity, and overall wellbeing.

CA/NCF