Criminal Justice Services, Division of

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Agency Web Site: http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/

Mission

The mission of the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is to enhance public safety by providing resources and services that inform decision-making and improve the quality of the criminal justice system.

DCJS is a multi-function criminal justice agency with extensive responsibilities including collection and analysis of statewide crime data; acting as the State's repository of criminal history records; administration of Federal and State funds that support local criminal justice programs; and administration of the State's Sex Offender Registry and DNA Databank. DCJS also measures progress towards the goal of crime reduction, and tracks the effectiveness of both agency and system-wide criminal justice strategies designed to enhance public safety.

Organization and Staffing

The Division of Criminal Justice Services is located in Albany and is headed by a Commissioner who is appointed by the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation.

A multi-function support agency, DCJS has 12 offices: Administration; Criminal Justice Records; Forensic Services; Internal Audit and Compliance; Justice Research and Performance; Youth Justice; Legal Services; Probation and Correctional Alternatives; Program Development and Funding; Public Safety; Sex Offender Management; and the State Identification Bureau.

The agency's responsibilities include, but are not limited to: law enforcement training; collection and analysis of statewide crime data; maintenance of criminal history information and fingerprint files; administrative oversight of the state's DNA Databank, in partnership with the New York State Police; funding and oversight of probation and community correction programs; administration of Federal and State criminal justice funds; support of criminal justice-related agencies across the State; and administration of the State's Sex Offender Registry. DCJS also measures the performance of its criminal justice initiatives to ensure that the investments in programs are both cost-efficient and effective in meeting their goals.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2024 Executive Budget recommends $659.5 million (All Funds) for the Division of Criminal Justice Services ($90.4 million in State Operations, $466.1 million in Local Assistance, and $103 million in Capital Funds), representing an increase of $63.4 million from the FY 2023 Budget. This increase is largely attributed to major public safety investments to reduce gun violence and protect our communities from other violent crime. These critical investments include: doubling the support for the State’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) program, funding for the hiring of hundreds of new prosecutors, and support to combat the flow of fentanyl in our communities. The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 418 FTEs, an increase of 3 FTEs compared to the FY 2023 budget.

Program Highlights

Crime Prevention and Reduction Strategies

DCJS has made significant strides toward integrating the use of evidence-based practices that have been proven and can be empirically monitored for their effectiveness. As part of that work, the agency now provides comprehensive technical assistance and training to criminal justice partners. This evolution of the way DCJS does business is designed to allow the agency to: help ensure that proven practices are implemented as intended by criminal justice partners; monitor the effectiveness of key initiatives and programs; and ensure that the state supports programs that are not only effective, but a wise investment of taxpayer dollars.

DCJS provides direct training to law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals; oversees a law enforcement accreditation program; ensures breathalyzer and speed enforcement equipment used by local law enforcement operate correctly; manages criminal justice grant funds; analyzes statewide crime and program data; provides research support; oversees county probation departments and alternatives to incarceration programs; and coordinates juvenile justice policy.

DCJS maintains criminal history records and fingerprint files and performs background checks for employment and licensure. The agency also administers the State’s Sex Offender Registry; the Missing Persons Clearinghouse; the State's DNA Databank in cooperation with the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center; and provides staff support to independently appointed commissions and councils, including the New York State Commission on Forensic Science, which monitors and accredits the State’s forensic laboratories.

Note: Most recent estimates as of 02/01/2023