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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana have begun a new partnership with Indianapolis leaders and law enforcement officials to offer DOJ resources designed to enhance efforts to reduce local violence.
U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler, who was recently nominated for that position in the Southern District of Indiana by President Donald Trump, announced Thursday that his office has begun a collaboration with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Indianapolis Mayor’s Office as part of the National Public Safety Partnership. The partnership, which was formerly part of the pilot concept known as the Violence Reduction Network, provides a framework through which the DOJ can offer training, technical assistance and other resources to aid in local crime reduction efforts.
Indianapolis was named in June as one of four cities selected for participation in the PSP in 2017, along with Memphis, Tennessee; Birmingham, Alabama; and Toledo, Ohio. The partnership involves a three-year commitment from the DOJ, which will provide a strategic site liaison to support the enhancement of the city’s violence reduction efforts, Minkler said. Former Charlotte Police Chief Rodney Monroe has been assigned to work with the Circle City as that liaison to the Justice Department and help local leaders make the best use of DOJ resources and develop stronger data-gathering methods, Minkler said.
Additionally, the three-year program will offer expedited DOJ services in seven key areas:
• Federal partnerships
• Crime analysis
• Technology
• Reduction of gun violence
• Criminal justice collaboration
• Community engagement
• Investigations
In Indianapolis, there will be a particular focus on curbing gun violence. Additionally, Minkler said his goal is to determine more specific deliverables for the partnership that will aid the city’s efforts toward curbing violence.
“Many times, we’ve stood up here and promised federal law enforcement support for reduction of violent crime in Indianapolis,” Minkler said at a Thursday morning press conference. “Time and time again we have delivered on that promise, and today is another step in the delivery of that promise.”
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