Assessment of Washington’s Byrne JAG Supported Multi-Jurisdictional Task Force Program
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is a leading source of federal justice funding. For many years, a significant percentage of Washington’s share of JAG funds has been distributed to law enforcement agencies to support staffing and equipment for multijurisdictional task forces (MJTFs). The program currently funds a portion of the operating budgets of 16 active task forces across the state for an annual cost of $2.9 million.
To inform the administration of the JAG Program and better understand best practices for the task forces, the Department of Commerce contracted with the National Policing Institute (NPI) to conduct an assessment.
That Assessment of Washington’s Byrne JAG Supported Multi-Jurisdictional Task Force Program was released today. Read the report (PDF)
The findings and recommendations in the assessment identify local, state and federal options for funding task force operations, and include ideas to support positive outcomes in both urban and rural communities. Washington’s use of JAG funds is compared with evidence-based practices in other states.
The assessment is comprised of a robust qualitative and quantitative overview of Washington’s MJTFs, as well as covering a brief background and the current landscape of drug policy and enforcement, particularly in light of the fentanyl crisis. The assessment was conducted using a mixed method approach looking into the historic and current structure, funding and outcomes of Washington’s MJTFs.
The findings and recommendations will be of tremendous value to Commerce, lawmakers, local officials and other partners in better understanding the task forces and their work in the context of evolving community safety needs and practices, and the fentanyl crisis in particular.
Briefing - Thursday, Nov. 16
A virtual briefing covering the findings and recommendations in the Assessment of Washington’s Byrne JAG Supported Multi-Jurisdictional Task Force Program will take place Thursday Nov. 16, 2023 at 10 a.m.. This briefing is for the JAG Advisory Committee but will be open for the public to listen.
Briefing Zoom meeting link
Questions?
For questions about the Assessment of Washington’s Byrne JAG Supported Multi-Jurisdictional Task Force Program please contact:
Kate Kelly, Executive Director, Community Safety Unit
kate.kelly@commerce.wa.gov, 360-628-6846
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