The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) 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. Deputy Director Tracey Trautman was named as Acting Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance from January to December 2017, before President Donald Trump appointed Jon Adler to the Director role in December 2017. He resigned on September 16, 2019. Trautman was again named as acting Director on September 16, 2019., serving in that role until March 2020. On March 9, 2020 President Trump nominated Mike Costigan to serve as Acting Director, in which role he remained until October 8, 2020. The next Acting Director was Kendel Ehrlich, sworn in on October 13, 2020, who served until January 20, 2021. Kristen Mahoney served as Acting Director from January 20, 2021 until February 28, 2022. The current Director, since February 28, 2022, is Karhlton F. Moore.

Principles

Mission statement

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 (PSOB) Office.

Programs Administered