U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Diagnostic Center visits the Killeen Police Department

As part of the Killeen Police Department’s collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Diagnostic Center, the Police Department will be setting up interviews between OJP’s subject matter experts and local stakeholders. Through this series of interviews with key stakeholders and a review of local data, the Diagnostic Center will be able to synthesize information and gain a better understanding of the primary issues of concern to our community.

Stakeholder interviews are taking place in Killeen this week and include a diverse group of citizens from within the community who have experience with local government and community support mechanisms, as well as representatives from Ft. Hood, local clergy, social and civic groups, and individuals who have experience with the local school system and regional law enforcement.

The primary goal of these interviews is to thoroughly assess serious crime and associated response tactics and to develop an understanding of the community’s perceptions of crime and its perspectives on community engagement. By examining local perspectives, the Diagnostic Center will be able to understand not only the criminogenic factors contributing to Killeen’s crime trends but the socioeconomic factors as well, and thereby focusing their recommendations more specifically to Killeen.

The U.S. DOJ, OJP Diagnostic Center is a resource designed to provide customized training and technical assistance (TTA) by working with law enforcement and communities to reduce violent and other serious crimes. The OJP Diagnostic Center helps communities invest in what works best by bridging the gap between data and justice policy at the state, local and tribal levels. OJP Diagnostic Center TTA builds community capacity for data-driven decision-making, ensuring that limited local resources are invested wisely and federal assets are leveraged where they are needed most. By maximizing the impact of available resources, the OJP Diagnostic Center helps communities reap better public safety outcomes and provides their assistance at no cost.

 For more information about OJP, visit  www.ojpdiagnosticcenter.org