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The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is committed to ensuring that law enforcement agencies across the nation serve all people with efficient and effective public safety practices. To that end, the COPS Office offers the Collaborative Reform Initiative to assist law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve in identifying and implementing organizational improvements through training, consultation, peer-based learning, analysis, assessments, and enhanced training.
The COPS Office Collaborative Reform Initiative is structured as a suite of services offered to law enforcement agencies on a strictly voluntary basis. The programs complement one another and provide services that range in time and complexity all designed to meet the following goals:
Goal 1
Enhance officer safety and wellness
Goal 2
Improve effectiveness and efficiency in agency operations
Goal 3
Build agencies’ capacity for organizational learning and continuous improvement
Goal 4
Highlight promising and best practices in law enforcement
Overview
Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center (CRI-TAC) offers training and technical assistance on a request-and-deliver basis through a historic coalition of law enforcement stakeholder associations. The program uses a “by the field, for the field” approach while delivering individualized technical assistance using leading experts across a wide range of topics. Technical assistance encompasses a host of methods, including training, peer-to-peer consultation, analysis, coaching, and strategic planning designed to help agencies improve and promote a positive image of policing and uplifting promising practices and programs.
The Critical Response program offers an intermediate form of technical assistance that includes issue-specific or after-action reviews and reports or targeted assistance in the wake of a critical incident or with a narrower focus on a particular issue. This program does not involve on-going implementation and technical assistance in the long term. Recently this program has addressed topics such as community policing implementation, data and technology improvements, human resources and hiring, and officer involved traffic accidents, among others.
The Enhanced Training program offers a collection of innovative online enhanced training experiences for law enforcement professionals nationwide that focus on implementing organizational and operational improvements in short amounts of time (between three and six months). Enhanced Training courses are designed to encourage meaningful participation and maximize outcomes, resulting in the sustainable implementation of new concepts. The key features of this online enhanced training experience include training in cohorts, flexible scheduling, blended learning, and access to expertise.
The Organizational Assessment offers a more intensive form of technical assistance, involving in-depth assessments and long-term assistance to achieve and promote efficient agency operations and officer safety and positive policing practices. The Organizational Assessment program highlights the incredible men and women of law enforcement and the law enforcement field, and the work they do to protect the American public. An Organizational Assessment will provide technical assistance to promote best and/or promising practices in law enforcement to further support and uplift the law enforcement profession. Organizational Assessments are also a resource to agencies seeking in-depth technical assistance to further improve agency operations and officer safety via a collaborative, voluntary engagement.
Although the programs are complementary, each serves a distinct type of technical assistance need. Each of the programs contribute to the prescribed goals by assisting participating law enforcement agencies to make small and large-scale improvements on a proactive, collaborative, and voluntary basis.
TA Services
- Access to Expertise
- Assessments
- Conference Support
- Critical Incident After-Action Review
- Data Analysis and Audits
- Enhanced Training
- Executive Consultation
- Facilitated Conversations
- Interactive Training
- Issue-Specific Review of Operations
- Meeting Facilitation
- Mentoring
- Organizational and Operational Improvements
- Peer Exchanges
- Policy Assistance
- Resource Referral
- Strategic Planning
- Training (web-based or in person)
COPS Office Technical Assistance: Historical Recap
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2026The Collaborative Reform Initiative is updated to develop Enhanced Trainings.
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2022Attorney General Garland announced the revamped Collaborative Reform Initiative. By reestablishing the services of the original Collaborative Reform Initiative and Critical Response program while continuing to sustain technical assistance supported through the CRI-TAC, the COPS Office offers a comprehensive continuum of services to law enforcement agencies nationwide—all under the banner of the COPS Office’s flagship TA program, the Collaborative Reform Initiative.
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2017 (December)COPS Office established the Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center (CRI-TAC) as a one-stop shop for law enforcement agencies requesting a variety of high quality, tailored training and technical assistance (TA) resources.
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2017 (September)At the direction of DOJ leadership, the COPS Office ended the Collaborative Reform and its partner Critical Response program. Upon the closure of the programs, the COPS Office initiated 17 Collaborative Reform sites and 13 Critical Response sites.
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2012COPS Office established the Critical Response program to provide limited assessments of key processes and procedures, as well as rapid technical assistance such as peer exchanges. The Critical Response program operated in parallel with Collaborative Reform and was designed to provide targeted technical assistance to law enforcement agencies dealing with high profile events, major incidents, or sensitive issues of varying need.
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2011COPS Office established the Collaborative Reform Initiative to help state and local law enforcement address issues that undermine public trust. This reform model offered an alternative to more adversarial litigation and enforcement actions.
Intake Process
Law enforcement agencies requesting services under this initiative must be ready to engage fully and establish it as a priority. Law enforcement agencies requesting participation in any Collaborative Reform Initiative program will undergo a standard approach for onboarding.
Request Assistance
To submit a request under the COPS Office Collaborative Reform Initiative, please complete the following:
If you wish to contact the COPS Office Collaborative Reform Initiative team, please email [email protected] or call the COPS Office Response Center at 1-800-421-6770.
Resources
Organizational Assessment Legacy Sites
The below table highlights sites that the COPS Office has conducted Organizational Assessment efforts with through the previous Collaborative Reform Initiative Organizational Assessment program before 2026.
Site
Legacy Program
Topic(s)
TA Type(s)
Years Active
Link to Deliverable (if applicable)
Charlottesville, VA, Police Department
Organizational Assessment
- Focus Area 1: Community Policing/Problem Solving
- Focus Area 2: Crime Analysis/Crime Prevention
- Focus Area 3: Employee Wellness, Training and Development, and Retention
- Focus Area 4: Resource Analysis and Strategic Planning
- Focus Area 5: Accountability, Oversight, and Evaluation
- Assessment
- Training and Technical Assistance
2024-2026
N/A
Dearborn Heights, MI, Police Department
Organizational Assessment
- Focus Area 1: Community Engagement and Problem-Solving Strategies
- Focus Area 2: Accountability and Oversight Systems
- Focus Area 3: Recruitment, Hiring, Retention, and Promotion Practices
- Focus Area 4: Employee Safety and Wellness
- Focus Area 5: Organizational Learning and Data-Informed Practices
- Focus Area 6: Internal and External Communication
- Assessment
- Training and Technical Assistance
2023-2024
Hackensack, NJ, Police Department
Organizational Assessment
- Focus Area 1: Data-Driven Policing
- Focus Area 2: Employee Wellness, Training, and Professional Development
- Focus Area 3: Community Engagement and Problem-Solving Strategies
- Focus Area 4: Internal and External Communications
- Focus Area 5: Leadership and Organizational Structure
- Focus Area 6: Accountability and Oversight Systems
- Assessment
- Training and Technical Assistance
2024-2026
N/A
Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Police
Organizational Assessment
- Focus Area 1: Community Policing
- Focus Area 2: Workforce Development
- Focus Area 3: Strategic Planning
- Focus Area 4: Employee Wellness
- Focus Area 5: Technology, Data, and Organizational Learning
- Focus Area 6: Accountability and Oversight Systems
- Assessment
- Training and Technical Assistance
2024-2026
N/A
Marysville, KS, Police Department
Organizational Assessment
- Focus Area 1: Community Policing
- Focus Area 2: Workforce Development
- Focus Area 3: Strategic Planning
- Focus Area 4: Employee Wellness
- Focus Area 5: Technology, Data, and Organizational Learning
- Assessment
- Training and Technical Assistance
2024-2026
N/A
North Miami, FL Police Department
Organizational Assessment
- Focus Area 1: Crime Prevention and Analysis
- Focus Area 2: Technology
- Focus Area 3: Employee Wellness, Training and Development, and Retention
- Focus Area 4: Resource Analysis and Strategic Planning
- Focus Area 5: Community Engagement
- Focus Area 6: Oversight and Accountability
- Assessment
- Training and Technical Assistance
2024-2026
N/A
Sacramento, CA, Police Department
Organizational Assessment
- Focus Area 1: Organizational Structure and Workload Analysis
- Focus Area 2: Civilianization and Alternate Response
- Focus Area 3: Calls for Service Analysis
- Focus Area 4: Community Policing
- Focus Area 5: Technology
- Assessment
- Training and Technical Assistance
2024-2026
N/A
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Pre-2018 Legacy Sites
The below table highlights sites that the COPS Office has conducted TA efforts with through the previous Collaborative Reform and Critical Response programs before 2018. To see active and closed sites under the revamped Collaborative Reform Initiative program, please visit the CRI-TAC and Critical Response web pages.
Site
Legacy Program
Topic(s)
TA Type(s)
Years Active
Link to Deliverable (if applicable)
Baltimore, MD Police Department
Collaborative Reform
- Use of Force
- Investigations
- Complaint Process
- Interactions with the Community
- Community Policing Initiatives
- Technical Assistance
- Assessment (Partial Before the Civil Rights Division Opened A Civil Pattern or Practice Investigation)
2014-2015
N/A
Baltimore, MD Police Department
Critical Response
- Labor Relations
- Facilitated Discussions
2015
N/A
Calexico, CA Police Department
Collaborative Reform
- Community Engagement
- Accountability, Oversight, and Transparency
- Internal and External Investigations
- Assessment
- Technical Assistance
- Implementation and Monitoring (Partial)
2015-2017
Chester, PA Police Department
Collaborative Reform
- Community Relationships
- Violent Crime
- Data Collection and Analysis
- Training and Professional Development
- Technical Assistance
- Assessment (Partial)
2016-2017
N/A
Cleveland, OH Division of Police
Critical Response
- Large-Scale Events
- Peer-to-Peer Exchanges
- Consultation
- Policy Development
2016
Commerce City, CO Police Department
Collaborative Reform
- Supervision and Management
- Communication
- Procedural Justice
- Internal Affairs
- Community Policing
- Recruitment, Hiring, Retention, and Promotional Processes
- Response to Calls for Service
- Technical Assistance
- Assessment (Partial)
2016-2017
N/A
Dearborn, MI Police Department
Critical Response
- Officer-Involved Shootings
- Use of Force
- Community Engagement
- Implicit Bias
- Procedural Justice
- Recruitment and Hiring
- Assessment
- Peer-to-Peer Exchanges
- Consultation
- Facilitated Discussions
- Policy Review
2016-2018
Detroit, MI Police Department
Critical Response
- Crime Reduction
- Youth Engagement
- Private/Public Partnerships
- Peer-to-Peer Exchanges
- Consultation
2014-2015
N/A
Fayetteville, NC Police Department
Collaborative Reform
- Use of Force
- Deadly Force Investigations
- Community Engagement
- Oversight and Monitoring of Uses of Force, Traffic Stops, and Pedestrian Stops
- Technical Assistance
- Assessment
- Implementation and Monitoring (Partial)
2014-2017
Ferguson, MO Police Department
Critical Response
- Analysis of Stops and Calls for Service
- Community Engagement
- Analysis
- Consultation
2014-2015
N/A
Fort Pierce, FL Police Department
Collaborative Reform
- Community Trust and Engagement
- Vehicle and Pedestrian Stops
- Use of Force
- Personnel Practices and Training
- Organizational Management
- Partnerships
- Technical Assistance
- Assessment (Partial)
2016-2017
N/A
Las Vegas Metropolitan, NV Police Department
Collaborative Reform
- Officer-Involved Shootings
- Deadly Force
- Officer Safety
- Assessment
- Implementation and Monitoring
2012-2014
- Collaborative Reform Model: A Review of Officer-Involved Shootings in the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
- Collaborative Reform Model: Six Month Assessment Report of the Las Vegas Police Department
- Collaborative Reform Model: Final Assessment Report of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
- Assessment of the Collaborative Reform Initiative in the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department: A Catalyst for Change
Memphis, TN Police Department
Collaborative Reform
- Community Policing
- Use of Force
- Deadly Force
- Supervision, Accountability, Learning, Remediation, and Discipline
- Technical Assistance
- Assessment (Partial)
2016-2017
N/A
Milwaukee, WI Police Department
Collaborative Reform
- Recruitment, Hiring, and Personnel Practices
- Community Policing
- Use of Force and Deadly Force
- Citizen Stop and Search Practices
- Supervision, Accountability, Learning, Remediation, and Discipline
- Technical Assistance
- Assessment (Partial)
2015-2017
N/A
Minneapolis, MN Police Department
Critical Response
- Mass Demonstrations
- After Action Review
2016-2017
New Orleans, LA Police Department Training Academy
Critical Response
- Analysis
- Training
- Analysis of Training Academy/Training
2014-2015
N/A
Newark, NJ Police Department
Critical Response
- Community Policing
- Training Development
- Training Delivery
2017-2019
North Charleston, SC Police Department
Collaborative Reform
- Community Policing
- Use of Force
- Citizen Complaint Process
- Recruitment, Hiring, Promotions, and Personnel Practices
- Impact of Enforcement Operations on Historically Marginalized and Discriminated Against Populations
- Technical Assistance
- Assessment (Partial)
2016-2017
N/A
Oglala Sioux Tribe, SD
Critical Response
- Community Policing
- Officer Wellness
- Youth Suicides
- Consultation
- Strategic Planning
- Training
- Storytelling
2016-2017
Orlando, FL Police Department
Critical Response
- Mass Casualty
- After Action Review
2016-2017
Pasco, WA Police Department
Critical Response
- Community Engagement
- Social Media
- Procedural Justice
- Assessment
- Training
- Strategic Planning
- Consultation
- Peer-to-Peer Exchange
2015-2016
Philadelphia, PA Police Department
Collaborative Reform
- Deadly Force
- Investigations
- Use of Force Review Process
- Technical Assistance
- Assessment
- Implementation and Monitoring (Partial)
2013-2015
Police Response to Protests in Ferguson, MO
Critical Response
- Mass Demonstrations
- After Action Review
2014-2015
Salinas, CA Police Department
Collaborative Reform
- Responsiveness and Deployment of Resources
- Use of Force
- Communication
- Community Trust and Engagement
- Technical Assistance
- Assessment
- Implementation and Monitoring (Partial)
2015-2017
San Bernardino, CA Police Department
Critical Response
- Mass Casualty
- After Action Review
2015-2016
San Diego, CA Police Department
Critical Response
- Police Misconduct
- Assessment
2014-2015
San Francisco, CA Police Department
Collaborative Reform
- Use of Force
- Bias
- Community Policing
- Complaint and Disciplinary Processes
- Recruitment, Hiring, and Personnel Practices
- Supervision, Accountability, Learning, Remediation, and Discipline
- Technical Assistance
- Assessment
- Implementation and Monitoring (Partial)
2016-2017
- Collaborative Reform Initiative: An Assessment of the San Francisco Police Department
- Executive Summary: An Assessment of the San Francisco Police Department
- Executive Summary: An Assessment of the San Francisco Police Department (Cantonese)
- Executive Summary: An Assessment of the San Francisco Police Department (en español)
San Francisco, CA Police Department
Critical Response
- Leadership
- Peer-to-Peer Exchange
2016
N/A
Seattle, WA Police Department
Critical Response
- Data Analysis
- Peer-to-Peer Exchanges
- Consultation
2014-2015
N/A
Spokane, WA Police Department
Collaborative Reform
- Use of Force
- Technical Assistance
- Assessment
- Implementation and Monitoring (Partial)
2013-2017
St. Anthony Village, MN Police Department
Collaborative Reform
- Vehicle and Pedestrian Stops
- Community Policing
- Recruitment, Hiring, and Promotional Practices
- Internal and External Complaints
- Arrest and Traffic Stop Data
- Performance Evaluations
- Agreements with Contract Cities
- Technical Assistance
- Assessment (Partial)
2017
N/A
St. Louis County, MO Police Department
Collaborative Reform
- Fair and Impartial Policing, Community Engagement, and Partnership Development
- Traffic Stops, Searches, and Frisks
- Protests and Mass Demonstrations
- Communications
- Recruitment, Selection, and Hiring
- Technical Assistance
- Assessment
- Implementation and Monitoring (Partial)
2014-2017
Standing Rock, ND
Critical Response
- Mass Demonstrations
- Peer-to-Peer Exchanges
2016
N/A
Tampa, FL Police Department
Critical Response
- Bike Stops
- Crime Analysis
- Assessment
- Data Analysis
2015-2016
Tompkins County, NY Sheriff's Office
Critical Response
- Barricade Incidents
- Peer-to-Peer Exchanges
- Consultation
- Facilitated Discussions
- Strategic Planning
- Development of a Community Policing Plan
2015-2016
N/A
Waterloo, IA Police Department
Critical Response
- Interactions with Minority Communities
- Consultation
2014-2015
N/A
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