Justice Department to provide assistance to Uvalde PD under reform initiative

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AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, the U.S. Justice Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) said it would aid the Uvalde Police Department (UPD) through the COPS Office Collaborative Reform Initiative’s Critical Response program.

The COPS Office said it would provide technical assistance services and opportunities to UPD’s training, leadership and community partnerships.

“The goal of this technical assistance is to enhance UPD’s strategic training plan, leadership development programs, and community trust-building initiatives,” COPS Office said.

The Collaborative Reform Initiative is made up of three service programs:

• Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center
• Critical Response
• Organizational Assessment

“Managed out of the COPS Office, this continuum of services is designed to build trust between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve; improve operational efficiencies and effectiveness; enhance officer safety and wellness; build agencies’ capacity for organizational learning and self-improvement; and promote community policing practices nationwide,” COPS Office said.