ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

[photo, Hampton Plaza, 300 East Joppa Road, Towson, Maryland]

The Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention was created in 1995 by the Governor to address concerns about public safety and the prevention of crime and substance abuse (Executive Order 01.01.1995.03; Executive Order 01.01.1995.18; Executive Order 01.01.1996.05; Executive Order 01.01.2005.36). The Office formed by merging functions of the Office of Justice Administration and the Governor's Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission. From January 1997 to 2003, the Office functioned under the Lieutenant Governor. The Cabinet Council on Criminal and Juvenile Justice provides the Office with policy direction and oversight.

The Office works to improve public safety and the administration of justice and reduce and prevent crime, violence, delinquency, and substance abuse. To these ends, it helps draft legislation, policies, plans, programs, and budgets.

Hampton Plaza, 300 East Joppa Road, Towson, Maryland, May 2004. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

For nonprofit community groups and local and State government agencies, the Office administers State grant programs, including the Maryland After-School Community Grant Program; the Governor's Drug and Alcohol Abuse Program (also known as Neighborhood Crime and Substance Abuse Prevention Grants); the Maryland Drug and Alcohol Grants Program Fund; and the Maryland Victims of Crime Fund. The Office also oversees several federal grant programs, including the Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Program; the Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant Program; the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Program; Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners; the State Challenge Grant Program; the Violence Against Women Program; the Violent Offenders Incarceration and Truth-In-Sentencing Program; and the Governor's portion of the federal Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program.

The Office administers grants for the Maryland Police Corps, a federal college scholarship program enacted in 1996. Maryland was one of the first states chosen by the U.S. Department of Justice to recruit and train college graduates to serve four years as community police officers. Maryland Police Corps officers presently serve in the police departments of Baltimore City, Hagerstown, and Anne Arundel, Howard, Prince George's and St. Mary's counties.

Appointed by the Governor, the Executive Director serves on the Cease Fire Council, the Criminal Justice Information Advisory Board, the Maryland State Drug and Alcohol Abuse Council, the Governor's Council on Family Violence Prevention, and the State Board of Victim Services.

Office functions are carried out by six divisions: Administration; Collaborative Supervision and Focused Enforcement (CSAFE); Criminal Justice; Juvenile Justice Policy; Planning, Research and Legislative Support; and Victims of Crime.

GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION

The Council consists of no more than twenty-one members. Up to eight members are appointed by the Governor; four members represent the Legislature, one represents the Judiciary; and eight serve ex officio.

COLLABORATIVE SUPERVISION & FOCUSED ENFORCEMENT (CSAFE) DIVISION

The Collaborative Supervision and Focused Enforcement Division formed in July 2003.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION

Organized in 2003, the Criminal Justice Division oversees two programs: Criminal Justice; and Local Law Enforcement. It also assists the Cease Fire Council.

CEASE FIRE COUNCIL

Eleven members serve on the Council. Seven are appointed to three-year terms by the Governor. Four serve ex officio. The Secretary of State Police chairs the Council (Code Public Safety Article, secs. 5-501 through 5-504).

CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM
The Criminal Justice Program (formerly the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Program) stems from the Law Enforcement Program of the Governor's Drug and Alcohol Commission. That program became part of the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention in 1995. It was renamed the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Program in 1997, and adopted its current name in 2001.

The Program administers funding and provides technical support to programs for law enforcement and the prosecution and adjudication of offenders. To improve the criminal justice system, the Program assists projects, such as community policing and alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders. Support may include the use of electronic and other technology. In addition, the Program seeks effective means of coping with drug addiction and mental illness in the criminal justice system.

JUVENILE JUSTICE POLICY DIVISION

On January 31, 2007, the Juvenile Justice Policy Division formed from the merger of the Equal Justice and Policy Division and the Youth Services Division. The Equal Justice and Policy Division had formed in 2005. The Youth Services Division originated as the Youth, Justice, and Community Service Division, and became the Youth Services Division in 2003.

The Division is responsible for: Juvenile Justice, Juvenile Justice Compliance, and Substance Abuse.

JUVENILE GRANT PLANNING & REVIEW COUNCIL

PLANNING, RESEARCH AND LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT DIVISION

The Planning, Research and Legislative Support Division organized in January 2007. It oversees three units: the Maryland Statistical Analysis Center; Policy; and Public Information.

MARYLAND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS CENTER
Created by the Governor in March 2007, the Maryland Statistical Analysis Center serves as a statewide information center and repository for criminal and juvenile justice statistics and information (Executive Order 01.01.2007.04). To State and local agencies, it provides access to federal resources for criminal and juvenile justice statistical information. It also coordinates research and technical assistance. In addition, the Center assists the Criminal Justice Advisory Board.

VICTIMS OF CRIME DIVISION

The Victims of Crime Division began as the Victims of Crime: Policy, Planning, and Services Division and assumed its present name in July 2003. It supports strategic programs that help crime victims. The Division administers federal and State grants that assist victims in general and victims of specific crimes, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Grants fund training and technical assistance; policy development and implementation; and victim advocacy. To provide a comprehensive community-coordinated response to violence, the Division promotes collaboration among criminal justice agencies and coordination of community services.

VICTIM SERVICES PROGRAM
The Victim Services Program began in 1988, later became the Victim Services and Domestic Violence Program, and adopted its present name in 1999. The Program administers funding and provides technical support for efforts to assist victims of crime and those who suffer domestic and family violence. The Victim Services Coordinator is chosen by the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention.

STATE BOARD OF VICTIM SERVICES

The Board advises the Governor on services needed by victims of crime. The Board also reviews the plans and annual reports of the Victim Services Coordinator as well as the implementation, operation, and revision of programs by the Coordinator.

Twenty-two members compose the Board. Sixteen are appointed to five-year terms by the Governor. The Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals names a member of the Judiciary to a five-year term. Five members serve ex officio. The Governor or Governor's designee serves as chair (Code Art. 27, secs. 837-857).

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT PROGRAM
The Violence Against Women Act Program was authorized under the federal Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-322). By this act, states administer funds to combat crimes of violence against women and improve legal protections for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Under the Program, law enforcement officers, court commissioners, "911" operators, judges, and state's attorneys are trained to respond effectively to violent crimes against women. Coordinated community responses to domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault are supported. In addition, the Program provides a uniform data collection system to track offenses and standardizes the processing of legal cases involving domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault.

Since 2000, the Program has administered the Domestic Violence Unit Pilot Program Fund. This fund is used by local law enforcement agencies to ensure the timely and accurate entry of civil protective and ex parte orders into databases.

PLANNING & STRATEGY COMMITTEE