The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), a component of the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs (OJP), was created to help America’s state and local governments reduce violence and restore security in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and schools and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our nation’s criminal justice system.

This report describes the funding, training, and technical assistance BJA provided in fiscal year 2002 and demonstrates how hard this nation’s criminal justice practitioners and volunteers have worked to build and protect our communities. We can all take pride in the many efforts to strengthen our nation’s security, develop forward-thinking solutions to crime problems, and prevent future acts of terrorism.

At BJA we are working hard to ensure that our training programs, technical assistance, and funding opportunities support local needs. Law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, corrections officers, and practitioners alike deserve the tools and resources necessary to put their local solutions to work. States and communities know best what they need, and BJA is here to help, not hinder, the people we serve.

To accomplish these goals, BJA has committed to adhering to the principles listed below to guide our decisions and influence the way we work. Based on these principles, we have created a plan for BJA’s future that will help us conduct our business in the most effective and efficient manner possible. It is my mission as Acting Director to continue to follow these principles, which were developed under former Director Richard R. Nedelkoff’s watch.

Encouraging local control and limited government. Our goal must be to eliminate unnecessary requirements and help grantees find ways to meet their needs by providing clear and unrestrictive guidance.

Simplifying the process. Removing unnecessary requirements and assessing our reporting systems to make sure they are straightforward and efficient will allow those in the field to spend more time helping their communities and less time dealing with paperwork.

Accountability for results. BJA knows that it is important to focus on what grantees have accomplished in their communities. We will continue to streamline our reporting requirements and ask grantees to report information that will help better measure the impact of their efforts.

Providing assistance. Professionals require the necessary tools, training, and resources to perform their jobs effectively. BJA will collaborate with states and communities to establish training and technical assistance partnerships and provide the best possible training programs.

Increasing communication. BJA understands that providing current information and sharing information with the rest of the field is what will allow us to do our jobs better. We will update our web site and communicate with our grantees regularly to let them know about new initiatives, meetings, and technical assistance resources.

Working together to provide leadership. BJA's mission, as is that of its parent agency, OJP, is to provide national leadership in criminal justice issues. We look to find innovative solutions so that we may give states and communities the information necessary to bring the success of one community to others.

It is my hope that the efforts we put forth during Mr. Nedelkoff’s time at BJA continue to produce even greater successes than what we have seen thus far. We are in the midst of challenging times in our nation, but if we remain united and strive to work collaboratively, we can make a difference and create change. We pledge to continue doing our utmost to allow those at the forefront of the fight against crime and terrorism to focus on what matters most: our communities.