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DCJS

Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services

About DCJS
Acronym Dictionary
 

AAR Used for “After Action Report” (AAR)
ALERRT Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training
ALERRT is a public-private partnership whose mission is to teach law enforcement officers, specifically first responders, to safely and effectively respond to, address and stop an active shooter. ALERRT provides training to law enforcement agencies across the nation and is the only such program authorized to receive DHS grant dollars. As of summer 2008, ALERRT has trained more than 17,000 personnel from 850 law enforcement agencies. It receives funding directly from the federal Bureau of Justice Assistance to support training primarily outside of the State of Texas.
BBP Bias Based Policing
Bias-based policing (BBP) is a term that refers to any form of bias, whether racial, religious, gender, age or sexual preference, that one might encounter from law enforcement officers during the performance of their duties. A Governor's Advisory Panel on Bias-Based Policing was formed in 2002 as a result of House Bill 1053 (2002 General Assembly) which called for creation of a statewide model policy on BBP and the implementation of appropriate training standards for law enforcement officers.
BJS Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS)
The BJS, a sub-unit of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), collects, analyzes, publishes, and disseminates information on crime, criminal offenders, victims of crime, and the operation of justice systems at all levels of government. These data are critical to Federal, State, and local policymakers in combating crime and ensuring that justice is both efficient and evenhanded.
BZPP Buffer Zone Protection Plan (BZPP)
BZPP is a program of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) which provides funding to protect and secure areas surrounding critical infrastructure and key resource sites such as chemical facilities, dams, and nuclear plants across the country. It brings federal, state and local government, law enforcement and the private sector together to create Buffer Zone Plans (BZPs) to reduce vulnerabilities in areas surrounding critical infrastructure and key resources.
CASA Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
The CASA program sponsors and trains court-appointed volunteers (CASAs) who serve as advocates for abused and neglected children involved in court cases.
CCPC Certified Crime Prevention Community Program (CCPC)
Crime Prevention Center (CPC): The DCJS or Virginia Crime Prevention Center (CPC) is one of three sub-units in the Law Enforcement Services Section (LESS). The Center provides crime prevention training, technical assistance, resource materials, and research. It administers the Crime Prevention Specialist Program (CPS) and the Certified Crime Prevention Community Program (CCPC). It also monitors the statewide Neighborhood Watch program and partners with the Virginia Crime Prevention Association (VCPA) and the Virginia Crime Analysts Network (VCPN). The Center works closely with the Virginia Center for School Safety (VCSS) on the design, data collection, training and review of school safety audits.
CERT Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
A CERT team is a group of citizen volunteers trained to respond to community disasters. The federal CERT program provides funds for the training of local CERT members. When emergencies happen, local CERT members provide critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members may also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community. Initially administered by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), the CERT program now resides in the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and is associated with CitizenCorps.
CIT Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)
The CIT program is designed to improve police interaction with people who are experiencing acute episodes of mental illness. CIT training prepares officers to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness and to respond efficiently and appropriately to the individual. The trained CIT officer is skilled at de-escalating crises involving mentally ill people. The goal of CIT is to reduce unnecessary restraint and incarceration of mentally ill persons and provide them with treatment in the community. A CIT is made up of a CIT officer and a person who works for a local mental health services organization.
CJSB Criminal Justice Services Board (CJSB)
The CJSB is the approving authority for the regulations which the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) promulgates in accord with the Administrative Process Act. It also approves most of the grants the Department awards to localities, state agencies and private non-profit organizations. The CJSB has 29 members who represent all aspects of the criminal justice system on both state and local levels of government. It also has representatives from the private security industry, the public-at-large and the General Assembly.
COT Committee On Training (COT)
The COT is comprised of members of the Criminal Justice Services Board (CJSB) as designated by the Code of Virginia. Its purpose is to conduct public hearings and promulgate rules pertaining to various public safety training standards as well as provide policy guidance to those Department of Criminal Justice (DCJS) staff that are responsible for the implementation of various criminal justice and private security related programs.
CPC Crime Prevention Center (CPC)
The DCJS or Virginia Crime Prevention Center (CPC) is one of three sub-units in the Law Enforcement Services Section (LESS). The Center provides crime prevention training, technical assistance, resource materials, and research. It administers the Crime Prevention Specialist Program (CPS) and the Certified Crime Prevention Community Program (CCPCP). It also monitors the statewide Neighborhood Watch program and partners with the Virginia Crime Prevention Association (VCPA) and the Virginia Crime Analysts Network (VCPN). The Center works closely with the Virginia Center for School Safety (VCSS) on the design, data collection, training and review of school safety audits.
CPS Crime Prevention Specialist (CPS) program:
The CPS program is a certification program administered by the DCJS Crime Prevention Center (CPC). Its mission is to recognize and enhance the professional status of law enforcement agency personnel who provide crime prevention services. Once these personnel have met the program’s training and performance standards, they may be designated as Crime Prevention Specialists.
CPTED Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)
CPTED is a crime prevention strategy based on the assumption that the proper physical design of buildings and grounds and the active monitoring of same can reduce crime and the fear of crime. The main principles of CPTED involve target hardening (use of fences, locks, doors, computerized card entry systems, etc., surveillance (police and guard patrols, lighting, CCTV, windows, low landscaping, etc., and boundary maintenance (established neighborhood crime watches, perimeter sensing systems, fences, walls, and landscaping).
DARE Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE)
DARE is a national school-based prevention program designed to equip school children with skills to avoid involvement in gangs, drugs and violence. Administered in Virginia by the Virginia State Police (VSP), VSP coordinates the training of approximately 125 active DARE Officers (including local officers, deputies and VSP troopers). DARE Officers instruct a national anti-drug curriculum to students (primarily at the elementary and middle school levels) and to parents in 91 Virginia localities.
DCJS Department of Criminal Justice Services
GREAT Gang Resistance Education And Training (GREAT)
The G.R.E.A.T program is a school-based, law enforcement officer-instructed elementary and middle school classroom curriculum intended as an immunization against delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership. Law enforcement officers who are certified to teach the curriculum provide life skills training to students to help them avoid delinquent behavior and violence to solve problems. In FY 2007, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) awarded nearly $15 million in funding for 167 local law enforcement programs. The Virginia Center for School Safety (VCSS) has facilitated GREAT certification training to Virginia School Resource Officers (SRO) and Virginia Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education (DARE) Officers
ICE Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Located in the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the staff of ICE enforces immigration laws and custom laws and protects over 8,000 federally owned and leased buildings within the US and its territories. BICE seeks to combat illegal immigration by attacking its causes. Its immigration intelligence service is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating real-time intelligence to domestic and overseas immigration-related field offices. ICE also maintains the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
ICJIS Integrated Criminal Justice Information System
Virginia’s Integrated Criminal Justice Information System (ICJIS) program is a response to the growing need to obtain greater efficiencies in the criminal justice system through improved inter-agency cooperation and information sharing. In the ICJIS vision, the primary objective of integration is to improve criminal justice processing and decision-making through the elimination of duplicate data entry, access to information that is not otherwise available, and the timely sharing of critical data.
ICS Incident Command System (ICS)
The ICS is an operational strategy developed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the management of domestic incidents. The ICS seeks to integrate the combination of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures and communications operating within a common organizational structure. Its features include wide applicability across emergency management disciplines, long and short-term field operations, small to complex emergencies, all types of organizations (government, private and non-governmental).
IJP Integrated Justice Program
Virginia’s Integrated Justice Program (IJP) is an initiative of the Secretary of Public Safety and the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). IJP is a response to the growing need to obtain greater efficiencies in the criminal justice system through improved interagency cooperation and information sharing.The primary objective of integration is to improve criminal justice processing and decision-making through the elimination of duplicate data entry, access to information that is not otherwise available, and the timely sharing of critical data.
LCAG Law Enforcement Command Advisory Group (LCAG)
The LCAG is a group of law enforcement leaders who convene regularly to promote and sustain intra- and inter-regional communication and collaboration with regard to anti-terrorist planning and policy-making. Its goals are to develop a coordinated security and preparedness strategy for Virginia; provide a forum for law enforcement needs and concerns, and to define regional and statewide objectives that require federal or state funds. Its primary mission is to enhance the capability of the law enforcement community to speak the same message with its many voices.
LEOSA Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act (LEOSA)
This new federal law exempts qualified active and retired law enforcement officers from state and local prohibitions on the carrying of concealed firearms while off duty across state lines.
LESS Law Enforcement Services Section (LESS)
The Law Enforcement Services Section is one of three sections in the Division of Law Enforcement and Regulatory Services. The other two sections are the Private Security Services Section and Law Enforcement Standards and Training.
LEST Law Enforcement Services Team (LEST)
The Law Enforcement Services Team (LEST) is one of three sub-units of the Law Enforcement Services Section (LESS). It administers grants, specialized training and other support services to Virginia law enforcement agencies. Its staff administers the state law enforcement agency accreditation program through the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC). It also provides consultation on agency management issues and develops model policies/directives so that local agencies maintain the highest possible levels of professionalism and service provision.
LETPP Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETPP)
The LETPP is a federal grant program that assists local law enforcement agencies in their efforts to prevent and respond to potential acts of terrorism. The Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is the administering agency making these funds available to law enforcement officials through state and local units of government. LETPP funding comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM).
LLEBG Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG)
The LLEGB program provides funds to local governments for projects that reduce crime and improve public safety. LLEBG funds may be used to hire and train additional law enforcement officers, pay overtime, procure equipment and technology, enhance school security, establish and supporting drug courts, enhance the adjudication of violent offenders, establish multi-jurisdictional task forces and establish community crime prevention programs.
LMS Learning Management System (LMS)
A LMS is an training system that offers on-line courses in a particular academic discipline or work area.
NCPA National Crime Prevention Association (NCPA)
The National Crime Prevention Association (NCPA) is an individual membership association for the crime prevention practitioner. NCPA also provides a national resource for the enhancement and promotion of crime prevention and for the development of professional crime prevention practitioners. The association offers training, resources, conference opportunities, and information-sharing outlets to educate the practitioner about emerging trends in the crime prevention field.
NCPC National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC)
The NCPC is a coalition of 300-plus organizations (corporate, security, government, foundations, advertising agencies, etc.) that are committed to the cause of crime prevention. NCPC works with The Advertising Council on a campaign to provide citizens with the information and motivation to take an active role in developing safer, stronger and more caring communities. NCPC helps manage this campaign and promotes crime prevention through trainings, technical assistance, and publications. One of their creations, McGruff the Crime Dog, has become the beloved spokedog of the crime prevention movement.
NIJ National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
NIJ is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice and is dedicated to researching crime control and justice issues. NIJ provides objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools to meet the challenges of crime and justice, particularly at the State and local levels. NIJ's principal authorities are derived from the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, as amended (see 42 USC § 3721-3723) and Title II of the Homeland Security Act of 2002.
NIMS National Incident Management System (NIMS)
NIMS is a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that provides a consistent nationwide template by which federal, state, tribal and local governments and private sector and nongovernmental organizations can work together to effectively and efficiently prepare for, prevent, respond to and recover from domestic incidents, regardless of cause, size or complexity, including acts of catastrophic terrorism. It offers a unified approach to incident management; standard command and management structures; and emphasis on preparedness, mutual aid and resource management.
NNO National Night Out (NNO)
The NNO program is a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) that involves citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 10,000 communities and all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. One night is chosen each year when citizens gather with public safety personnel to (1) heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs; (3) strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and (4) send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
OCP Office of Commonwealth Preparedness (OCP)
The OCP, located in the Office of the Governor, works with federal, state, and local officials, as well as the private sector – to develop a seamless, coordinated security and preparedness strategy and implementation plan for Virginia. It also serves as liaison between the Governor and the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS). OCP duties include (1) oversight, coordination, and review of all disaster, emergency management, and terrorism management plans for the state and its agencies; (2) service as the Governor’s representative on regional efforts to develop a coordinated security and preparedness strategy, including the National Capital Region security group organized as part of the federal Urban Areas Security Initiative; (3) service as a direct liaison between the Governor and local governments and first responders on issues of emergency prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery; and (4) educating the public on homeland security and overall preparedness issues.
OHS Office of Homeland Security (OHS)
Not to be confused with the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Office of Homeland Security (OHS)is one of three sub-units of the DCJS Law Enforcement Services Section (LESS). OHS assists the state-wide law enforcement community by bringing together information and resources to prevent, prepare for, and respond to a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other catastrophic emergency.
OJJDP Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
The OJJDP, a sub-unit of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) provides national leadership, coordination, and resources to prevent and respond to juvenile delinquency and victimization. OJJDP supports states and communities in their efforts to develop and implement effective and coordinated prevention and intervention programs and to improve the juvenile justice system so that it protects public safety, holds offenders accountable, and provides treatment and rehabilitative services tailored to the needs of juveniles and their families. More than 90 million dollars in OJJDP grant monies have been awarded through the Department of Criminal Justice’s (DCJS) auspices.
OJP Office of Justice Programs (OJP)
The mission of the OJP, a sub-unit of the US Department of Justice (DOJ), is to increase public safety and improve the fair administration of justice across America. It works to: (1) implement national and multi-state programs, provide training and technical assistance, and establish demonstration programs to assist state, local, and tribal governments and community groups in reducing crime, enforcing state and local drug laws, and improving the function of the criminal justice system. (2) collect, analyze, publish, and disseminate statistical information on crime, criminal offenders, victims of crime, and the operations of justice systems at all levels of government. Enhance the quality, completeness, and accessibility of the nation’s criminal history records system. (3) sponsor research in crime and criminal justice and evaluations of justice programs. (4) disseminate research findings to practitioners and policymakers. (5) support the development, testing, evaluation, adoption, and implementation of new and innovative technologies and techniques to support and enhance law enforcement, courts, and/or corrections options. (6) provide national leadership, direction, coordination, and resources to prevent, treat, and control juvenile violence and delinquency, improve the effectiveness and fairness of the juvenile justice system, and combat the problem of missing and exploited children. (7) enhance the nation’s capacity to assist crime victims and provide leadership in changing attitudes, policies, and practices to promote justice and healing for all victims of crime, and (8) provide targeted assistance to state, local, and tribal governments to advance and sustain public safety at the local level through the leveraging of both technical and financial resources and the development and implementation of community-based strategies, such as the Weed and Seed strategy.
PERK Physical Evidence Recovery Kit (PERK)
The PERK contains the supplies and materials used in a PERK examination conducted after a sexual assault has occurred. A PERK examination requires adherence to a prescribed set of rules and procedures designed to minimize discomfort to the victim.
PSS Private Security Services
SART Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)
A Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) is a very specific intervention model, offering an immediate response to reports by victims of sexual assault. It is a team approach to implementing a comprehensive, sensitive, coordinated system of intervention and care for sexual assault victims. The team typically involves professionals from three community systems: law enforcement, community-based advocacy, and medical/legal. These members work together to reduce trauma to the victim and to increase the effectiveness of the response. A SART coordinates its efforts through regular meetings, routine communications and ongoing case management.
SBD Safer By Design Coalition (SBD)
The SBD is an organization created by the Virginia Crime Prevention Association (VCPA) in 2001 to broaden the promotion and use of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles and strategies in Virginia. The primary goal of the Safer By Design Coalition is to market CPTED to design professionals. Most of the 12 members of SBD are CPTED specialists in city and county planning departments or active crime prevention specialists.
SHOCAP Serious Habitual Offender Comprehensive Action Program (SHOCAP)
SHOCAP is a community program that enables juvenile-serving agencies to share information about serious or habitual juvenile offenders in order that comprehensive, coordinated services can be provided for these juveniles and the community can be protected from serious juvenile crime.
SRO School Resource Officer (SRO)
SROs are sworn deputies or police officers who are typically assigned to Virginia’s middle and high schools. They wear uniforms, carry guns, and may detain, arrest and charge persons for violating the Code of Virginia if “probable cause” exists. They provide security and crime prevention advice to school staff, instruct law-related classes, serve as role models for students and provide liaison to community public safety agencies. The estimated 580 SROs serve in about 95% of all high schools and 80% or all middle schools.
SSO School Security Officer (SSO)
SSOs are security personnel hired by local school boards. They usually wear uniforms, are not armed, and can detain persons for violating the Code or the security policies of the local school board if there is “reasonable suspicion.” They help to maintain security and promote crime prevention practices on school property. When possible, they team with SROs. There are an estimated 1000 SSOs serving in 41 school districts.
SSOCP School Security Officer Contact Person (SSOCP)
School Security Officer Contact Person (SSOCP): The SSOCP is the person designated by a school division to serve as liaison to the Department of Criminal Justice Services in the matter of division compliance with School Security Officer (SSO) certification requirements. To this end, these SSOCP’s or “Contact Persons” are tasked with entering SSO information into the Virginia School Security Officer Database (VASSOD) locating appropriate in-service training for their personnel and serving as the authorized agent/witness on SSO applications/documentation. DCJS expects the Contact Person to maintain all SSO training records and to keep SSOs informed as to their certification status. Division officials should notify DCJS immediately when a new Contact Person is assigned.
UST Uniform Statute Table
VACLEA Virginia Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators
This is a professional organization of membership for police chiefs and command staff of Virginia's college and university police departments. They meet regularly, with elected officers, to discuss business, policy matters, procedures and other law enforcement management concerns of campus law enforcement. Their website is: http://www.vcu.edu/police/vaclea/index.html
VACP Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police
This professional organization consists of police chiefs, sheriffs and other law enforcement executives from throughout the Commonwealth. The membership meets semi-annually, while an Executive Board meets as needed to address the ongoing business of the Association. They employ an Executive Director, and elect Officers for one year terms. Their website is: www.vachiefs.org
VALEAC Virginia Law Enforcement Accreditation Coalition (VALEAC)
VALEAC is the network of accreditation managers, assessors and other representatives of accredited agencies, and those agencies working toward accreditation, that encourages communication, cooperation, support and the sharing of information about the accreditation process.
VASSOD Virginia School Security Officer Database (VASSOD)
Virginia School Security Officer Database (VASSOD): This database is maintained by the Department of Criminal Justice Services’ Virginia Center for School Safety (VCSS). It contains information about the estimated 1000 School Security Officers (SSOs) and is used to ensure that all SSOs comply with specified certification requirements.
VCAN Virginia Crime Analysts Network (VCAN)
The VCAN is a non-profit, statewide organization that promotes the exchange of crime analysis information and encourages increased professionalism in the crime analysis field. Their goal is to establish a crime analysis certification program that sets unified standards for education, training and awareness within the crime analysis field.
VCPA Virginia Crime Prevention Association (VCPA)
The VCPA is a private, non-profit organization that provides crime prevention training and promotes crime prevention services and programs in the Commonwealth.
VCPI Virginia Center for Policing Innovation (VCPI)
VCPI is a private, non-profit organization that provides training for law enforcement professionals, criminal justice practitioners, crime prevention specialists, domestic violence advocates, court and civil process personnel, government personnel, community members and others interested in public safety. It also offers consulting, technical assistance and project management services and pursues partnerships with public/private sector organizations for the enhancement and promotion of public safety.
VCSS Virginia Center for School Safety (VCSS)
The VCSS is located within the Department of Criminal Justice Service's Division of Private Security and Regulation. The VCSS is a resource and training center for information and research about national and statewide school
VLEPSC Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC)
VLEPSC is the governing body of the state law enforcement accreditation program. The Commission consists of six sheriffs selected by the Virginia Sheriff's Association and six police chiefs selected by the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police. The program is administered by staff in the Department of Criminal Justice Services’ (DCJS) Law Enforcement Services Section (LESS), Accreditation Center.
VSA Virginia Sheriffs' Association
This professional organization consists of Virginia sheriffs and command staff from throughout the Commonwealth. The membership meets semi-annually, while an Executive Board meets as needed to address the ongoing business of the Association. They employ an Executive Director, and elect Officers for one year terms. Their website is: http://vasheriff.org/
VSP Virginia State Police (VSP)
YADAPP The Youth Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Project (YADAPP)
The Youth Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Project (YADAPP)is a statewide youth leadership project designed to get teens involved in making their schools and communities safe and drug-free. Its aim is to train youth leaders as advocates who will promote substance abuse and violence prevention efforts in their schools. The Virginia Center for School Safety (VCSS) of the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) has served as lead coordinator for this initiative since 2002.
 

 

 
 

Last Modified: 10/21/2009
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Department of Criminal Justice Services
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