Enhancing Task Force Leadership, Operations, and Management

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Task Force Training Program provides nationwide training and technical assistance (TTA) to increase the effectiveness and ensure the success of state and local multijurisdictional law enforcement task forces created to address local crime issues. The Task Force Training Program was developed to increase the effectiveness of local, state, and tribal law enforcement in the management of multijurisdictional task force operations. The program promotes integrity and accountability by emphasizing best practices to reduce liability and enhance officer safety and effectiveness. The program also supports the Center for Task Force Leadership and Integrity (CTFLI), a restricted-access website that offers specialized online training designed to bolster task force capabilities, promote officer safety, and protect individuals’ privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties.

The Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR) will provide training and technical assistance services by: coordinating up to 12 Multijurisdictional Task Force (MJTF) Commander Trainings; participating in two workshops focusing on emerging crime and public safety problems; and, conducting quarterly peer-to-peer webinar/video conferencing allowing multiple task forces to connect virtually to share ideas, raise issues, and have a national impact on how task forces function. IIR will continue to maintain the current restricted-access CenTF website, including the CTFLI online training modules.

CA/NCF

Task force involvement and its potential positive impact on crime reduction cannot be overstated.  Many variables highlight some of the differences in task forces:  crime focus, number of agencies involved, type of organization, and size of jurisdiction served.  Equally varying are task force structure, management, governance, and oversight.  The use of law enforcement multiagency or multijurisdictional task forces (MJTFs) to address significant crime problems has produced remarkable successes nationwide.  With the prevalence of task force operations and their potential for significant impact on crime and public trust, a continued investment to support the needs, increase the effectiveness, and promote the success of local, state, and tribal task forces is critical.

As the incumbent, the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR) is uniquely positioned to seamlessly continue support to the Center for Task Force Training™ (CenTF) Program with the high level of excellence, innovation, and creativity that the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) has come to expect.  Building upon the work previously undertaken by CenTF and the Center for Task Force Leadership and Integrity, IIR is requesting $400,000, from October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2023, to enhance the effectiveness in the management of MJTF operations.  IIR will provide training and technical assistance services by coordinating up to three deliveries of the Fundamentals of Effective Task Force Training course.  A comprehensive suite of diverse training modules will be utilized to clarify the roles and responsibilities for task force executive leadership, task force commanders, and task force members.  Peer-to-peer webinar events and peer exchanges via videoconferencing will allow multiple task forces to connect virtually to share ideas, raise issues, etc., having a national impact on how task forces function.  CenTF will offer services in accordance with adult-learning theory using a variety of delivery methods, including webinars and virtual peer exchanges to cover multiple topics on prevalent and/or emerging issues.  IIR will continue to maintain the current restricted-access CenTF website and deliver enhanced online training modules.  IIR will not only maintain but expand its cadre of multijurisdictional subject-matter experts approved by BJA.  By conducting quarterly curricula enhancements, IIR will ensure that training reflects the latest trends and emerging issues, sophisticated multimedia aids, and relevant data.  IIR will continue to promote integrity and accountability within the task forces by emphasizing promising practices to reduce liability and enhance officer safety and effectiveness.