CGIC-Improving Investigations

The purpose of this project is to work closely with leading practitioners in law enforcement and prosecution to continue to develop ways to continue to improve investigative processes. Through previous grant funding a lot of efforts focused on the development and implementation of business practices for local law enforcement to utilize the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive’s (ATF’s) Crime Gun Intelligence Centers to identify and prosecute individuals for the use of crime guns. These efforts should be continued as well as additional product development of policies, procedures, protocols and trainings for investigations overall. Especially, as it pertains to the new research on investigations of homicides and nonfatal shooting that was conducted under the previous funds. Strengthening the investigative function within a law enforcement agency is a critical element to reducing and preventing crime and improving clearance rates. NCA/NCF

Our nation is currently experiencing a crisis with increases in violent crime prevalent in nearly every major city. It is critical for law enforcement agencies to utilize technology, such as the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), enhance collaborative partnerships, and engage the community as part of a strategic gun violence reduction plan. Homicides rose nearly 25% in the first quarter of 2021,[1] with 2020 indicating a 30% increase in homicides and 8% increase in gun related assaults.[2] Improving investigative capacity, victim and witness cooperation, and innovative community engagement efforts are needed to combat this rise in homicides, shootings, and gun related crime.

The Police Foundation (PF), and its National Resource and Technical Assistance Center for Improving Law Enforcement Investigations (NRTAC), welcome the opportunity to continue the critical work in improving investigations through building Crime Gun Intelligence Centers (CGIC) and enhancing practices of agencies nationwide. In partnership with the Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), this initiative has supported 27 agencies in implementing the CGIC model and provided many instances of training and technical assistance (TTA) to sites looking to enhance their violent crime investigative functions. Additionally, this initiative has enabled the NRTAC to build two robust websites that house countless resources, webinars, policy briefs, and investigative checklists. These websites reach numerous agencies looking to enhance their violent crime investigative capacity.

To expand upon the TTA already provided, NRTAC will support the implementation of the GunStat model in agencies experiencing increases in gun crime. GunStat is a collaborative meeting bringing together law enforcement, prosecutors, and other governmental stakeholders. Collectively these partners review active gun offender cases to prioritize warrant services and enhance supervision and sentencing, with the goal of improving gun-related clearance rates.

            With continued funding, the NRTAC will continue to provide support to jurisdictions, including new grantees, to address increased violent crime. Through the CGIC initiative, tailored TTA to enhance processes and policies locally, the GunStat model, and sharing of best practices, NRTAC will work with BJA to enhance the capacity for jurisdictions to increase public safety and prosecute violent offenders. The NRTAC has led this effort for more than five years and will continue to leverage its extensive expertise and partnerships developed to improve investigative strategies while enhancing community confidence and trust. 

[1] Council on Criminal Justice (2021, May 21). Impact Report: COVID-19 and Crime. Retrieved from https://covid19.counciloncj.org/2021/05/21/impact-report-covid-19-and-c…

[2]Council on Criminal Justice (2021). Pandemic, Social Unrest and Crime in U.S. Cities. Retrieved from https://cdn.ymaws.com/counciloncj.org/resource/resmgr/covid_commission/…

Gun violence in the United States has experienced a steep and exponential increase in the past few years, with firearms-related injuries accounting for 39,707 deaths in 2019 and 45,222 in 2020.[1] Furthermore, the data indicates that in 2020, more people in the United States died in firearm-related incidents than any previous year recorded.[2] As a result, the discussion of gun violence has become prevalent in American households, with recent polls indicating that 42% of Americans consider gun violence to be a top concern.[3] The tragic reality that torments Americans has required local law enforcement agencies to prioritize strategies to tackle gun violence in all its forms.

The Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) model can assist local law enforcement in tackling gun violence. The National Policing Institute (The Institute), and its National Resource and Technical Assistance Center for Improving Law Enforcement Investigations (NRTAC), are appreciative of the opportunity to continue supporting the critical effort of tackling gun violence through the expansion and implementation of the CGIC model to local agencies, as well as developing training and resources to improve violent crime investigations nationwide. The Institute has supported 33 Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA’s) Local Law Enforcement CGIC Integration Initiative grantees. It has also provided many non-grantee agencies with training and technical assistance (TTA).

NRTAC will expand upon existing TTA offerings and develop an all-encompassing Crime Gun Intelligence Training comprised of four modules. The curriculum will include topics such as forensic-led policing into gun crime reduction, interview and interrogation techniques, evidence-based prosecution of violent crime, and firearms identification and tracing. The NRTAC will also develop CGIC regionalization and community engagement toolkits and guides to implement GunStat and CGIC dashboards. Finally, the NRTAC will continue to enrich the CGIC community of practice by identifying peer-to-peer learning opportunities. The NRTAC has led this effort for more than six years and will continue leveraging its extensive expertise and partnerships to improve investigative strategies while enhancing community confidence and trust. 

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021). Mortality 1999-2020. Retrieved from https://wonder.cdc.gov/ucd-icd10.html

[2] Pew Research Center (2022, February 3). What the Data Says About Gun Deaths in the U.S. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/02/03/what-the-data-says-abo…

[3] FiveThirtyEight (2022, June 9). Over 40 Percent of Americans Now Rate Gun Violence as a Top Issue. Retrieved from https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/over-40-percent-of-americans-now-r…