Much of this Dispatch is focused on high-quality law enforcement training. We prepared this edition before the nation learned about the dangers of COVID-19, but we have included some information about resources that can support your response. The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) is grateful for your commitment during this difficult period and recognizes the challenges we face together.

In response to the pandemic, the U.S. Department of Justice has moved to a posture of maximum telework in the National Capital Region until further notice. The COPS Office staff are working remotely and will be available to assist grantees, stakeholders, and the public during this period. Likewise, all associated systems and services will be available.

I am proud to say that the COPS Office is a leader in promoting innovative training in all areas of law enforcement—not only for state, local, and tribal agencies but for community and criminal justice organizations as well. We do this by funding the development and delivery of classroom- and web-based instruction in numerous topic areas such as Active Attack Response, Strategic Problem Solving, and Officer Safety and Wellness, to name just a few. We also make finding and accessing this training convenient through the COPS Office Training Portal, a comprehensive online gateway to a wide array of trainings and support materials in a variety of formats, including curricula, guidebooks, webinars, publications, conference presentations, podcasts, and videos.

As new public safety issues emerge, officer health and wellness needs are recognized, and community policing strategies are developed, the COPS Office supports the creation and delivery of new instructional resources through our grant funding programs. And I encourage any law enforcement agency or stakeholder with a proposal for an innovative new course to consider applying for support. I also invite all individuals and organizations with an interest in criminal justice or law enforcement to see what’s available on the COPS Office Training Portal, check out the wide array of publications on the COPS Office Resource Center, and listen to one of the many informative The Beat podcasts.

– Director Keith

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