Citing the continuing problem of police officers killed in the line of duty, Attorney General Eric Holder today announced a new initiative – called VALOR -that he told the International Association of Chiefs of Police “will support much-needed research and analysis of violent encounters, and officer deaths and injuries.” Holder said the Justice Department would “provide law enforcement with the latest information, and most effective tools and training, to respond to a range of threats – including ambush-style assaults.” VALOR includes an award of $800,000, to develop training and technical assistance programs to help officers learn how to anticipate and survive violent encounters.
The Justice Department is awarding nearly $500,000 to the IACP to help launch the Center for the Prevention of Violence Against the Police. This Center will serve as a clearinghouse for information on emerging trends and best practices in reducing officer injuries. Holder said his department is expanding its Smart Policing program to six new sites, bringing the total to 16. Each community works with a research partner to analyze data, devise crime-fighting strategies, and measure progress. The new sites are Cincinnati; Joliet, Il.; Lowell, Ma.; Indio, and San Diego, Ca., and Baltimore.