Bureau of Justice Assistance


The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, within the United States Department of Justice. BJA provides leadership and assistance to local criminal justice programs that improve and reinforce the nation’s criminal justice system.
The director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance is Tracey Trautman. She was sworn in on September 16, 2019.

Principles

The mission of the Bureau of Justice Assistance is to provide leadership and services in grant administration and criminal justice policy development to support local, state, and tribal justice strategies to achieve safer communities.

Goals

BJA’s goals are to reduce and prevent crime, violence, and drug abuse and to improve the way in which the criminal justice system functions. In order to achieve such goals, BJA programs illustrate the coordination and cooperation of local, state, and federal governments. BJA works closely with programs that bolster law enforcement operations, expand drug courts, and provide benefits to safety officers.

Organization

BJA has four primary components: Policy, Programs, Planning, and the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Office.