National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA)

National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA) NCJA represents state, tribal and local governments and practitioners on public safety & criminal justice issues

The NCJA is a national voice in shaping and implementing criminal justice policy since its founding in 1971. As the representative of state, tribal and local criminal and juvenile justice practitioners, the NCJA works to promote a balanced approach to communities' complex public safety and criminal and juvenile justice system problems. The NCJA recognizes the importance of interrelationships among

criminal and juvenile justice agencies and between these agencies and the community and the strong, steady advocacy necessary to achieve comprehensive planning and policy coordination goals. Guided by a 17-18 member Board of Directors, the NCJA serves as the formal mechanism for informing the Congress of state, tribal and local criminal and juvenile justice needs and accomplishments. Through collaboration with practitioners and policymakers, the NCJA also communicates state, tribal and local views on crime prevention and control to federal executive and other public and private agencies at all levels.

Join us for our next Policy Session, Building Safer Downtowns Through Business and Law Enforcement Partnerships, on Augu...
07/21/2026

Join us for our next Policy Session, Building Safer Downtowns Through Business and Law Enforcement Partnerships, on August 6, 2026, at 2:00 pm ET. Discover how innovative partnerships between Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and law enforcement are helping create safer, more vibrant downtowns.

In this interactive session, leaders Michael Deemer and Kyle Carter from the business improvement districts in Cleveland, Ohio, and Davenport, Iowa will share how they collaborate with local law enforcement to enhance public safety, strengthen community trust, and support thriving commercial districts. Attendees will gain insights into how communities of different sizes tailor safety strategies to meet their unique needs, from coordinated patrols and outreach initiatives to addressing quality-of-life concerns that impact residents, businesses, and visitors.

Register today! Open to all members: https://connect2justice.ncja.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2075628

It’s ! Led by The Police, Treatment, and Community Collaborative (PTACC) National Leadership Council (NLC), National De...
07/21/2026

It’s ! Led by The Police, Treatment, and Community Collaborative (PTACC) National Leadership Council (NLC), National Deflection Week aims to recognize, educate, and showcase the impactful work of deflection in our communities. Learn more and view the PTACC suite of resources: https://ptaccollaborative.org/ptacc-suite/

07/15/2026

🎉 The new NCJA Center for Forensic DNA Policy & Practice website is officially live! Visit: https://ncjadnacenter.org/

As the use of forensic DNA continues to advance, policymakers and criminal justice leaders need accurate, accessible information to support policy development and implementation. The NCJA Center for Forensic DNA Policy and Practice serves as a national hub for advancing, assessing, and connecting critical areas of forensic DNA system improvement. This work will maximize the potential of forensic DNA technology nationwide.

The new website features two cornerstone resources:

🧬 State DNA Legislation Database – Search and compare forensic DNA legislation across all 56 states and territories, covering topics including DNA collection, Rapid DNA, forensic genetic genealogy, lawfully owed DNA, privacy issues, and more.

🗺️ Interactive State Policy Map – Compare state policies, identify legislative trends, and support informed decision-making.

In addition, learn about the Center's broader work on the expansion of offender collection, implementation of Rapid DNA, Lawfully Owed DNA sample audits, and system partner communication and hit follow-up. This work includes policy analysis, technical assistance, education, and the sharing of resources that are transforming the criminal justice landscape.

This launch marks the beginning of an ongoing effort to build a comprehensive resource on forensic DNA policy and practice. In the coming months, additional legislative updates, policy guidance, implementation resources, state success stories, and best practices will be added.

We invite policymakers, State Administering Agencies, forensic laboratories, law enforcement leaders, legislators, the media, and justice practitioners to explore this new resource and visit the site often as we continue development.

Thank you to Arnold Ventures for their support for this new Center.

⏳ Just one more day!Tomorrow, the NCJA Center for Forensic DNA Policy & Practice officially launches its new website.We'...
07/14/2026

⏳ Just one more day!

Tomorrow, the NCJA Center for Forensic DNA Policy & Practice officially launches its new website.

We're looking forward to sharing new resources, tools, and opportunities focused on supporting and advancing forensic DNA policy and practice across key areas of the criminal justice system.

Check back tomorrow for the official launch!

Thank you Arnold Ventures for supporting this work.

⏳ The countdown is on!The new NCJA Center for Forensic DNA Policy & Practice website launches this Wednesday, July 15!🧬 ...
07/13/2026

⏳ The countdown is on!

The new NCJA Center for Forensic DNA Policy & Practice website launches this Wednesday, July 15!

🧬 The NCJA DNA Center will serve as a national resource, sharing information, providing technical assistance, and supporting research that builds on the important work already being done by forensic scientists, law enforcement, and criminal justice professionals across the country.

Thank you Arnold Ventures, for supporting this work.

Last week, NCJA Executive Director, Chris Asplen, had the opportunity to present and moderate several presentations at N...
06/02/2026

Last week, NCJA Executive Director, Chris Asplen, had the opportunity to present and moderate several presentations at National Conference of State Legislatures’s Forensics Forum in Miami, FL, on behalf of the NCJA Center for Forensic DNA Policy and Practice.

The key to maximizing the potential of forensic DNA technology to save lives is for states to craft and pass legislation that fulfills its crime solving potential, while protecting the innocent and creating public trust. Thank you to NCSL, Arnold Ventures and most of all to the State Legislators who took time to attend, learn and carry important information back to their states.

Last month, NCJA staff Allison Badger and Elisa Nicoletti conducted a two day strategic planning retreat with the Dauphi...
05/19/2026

Last month, NCJA staff Allison Badger and Elisa Nicoletti conducted a two day strategic planning retreat with the Dauphin County, PA Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB). During the retreat they worked on creating a four year strategic plan for the county. Thank you to those who joined us!

Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s Forum on Criminal Justice. We hope you found each day valuable and full o...
05/14/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s Forum on Criminal Justice. We hope you found each day valuable and full of conversation, learning, and connection. We loved seeing everyone connect and share ideas and interact virtually!

What was your favorite part of this year’s Forum? Let us know in the comments!

We look forward to seeing you next year!

05/07/2026

NCJA is proud to announce the launch of the NCJA Center for Forensic DNA Policy and Practice.

The new Center will help address critical challenges in the criminal justice system by improving DNA collection and tracking processes, supporting the integration of Rapid DNA technology, database inclusion, forensic genetic genealogy and advancing other policies and practices that help solve crimes, protect victims, and safeguard the innocent.

As a national hub for resources, technical assistance, and policy development, the Center will support jurisdictions working to maximize the impact of forensic DNA technology.

Thank you to Arnold Ventures for supporting this important initiative. Stay tuned for more updates.

One week until the 2026 Forum on Criminal Justice! There is still time to join us and colleagues virtually on May 12-14,...
05/05/2026

One week until the 2026 Forum on Criminal Justice! There is still time to join us and colleagues virtually on May 12-14, from 1:00-5:30 pm ET (12:00 CT/11:00 MT/10:00 PT) each day.

NCJA’s showcases policy, practice, research and grant administration issues from across the justice system that help justice practitioners and decision-makers in states and local communities address a range of pressing public safety issues.

View the agenda here: https://forumoncriminaljustice.vfairs.com/en/

Registration is just $400 for members. Register here: https://www.forumoncriminaljustice.org/registration2026

We look forward to seeing you next week!

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