The Criminal Justice Department assists in the reduction of crime and improvement of public safety in the 11-county CBCOG Region by assisting the Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office, Criminal Justice Division to promote federal funding for criminal justice and public safety initiatives in the region.  It is the department’s primary duty to administer services outlined in an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with The Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office.  Services administered are grant funding solicitations, coordination, reporting, and providing technical assistance for the Criminal Justice, Juvenile Justice, Violence Against Women Justice and Training, and the General Victim Assistance Direct Services grant programs.  Services are catered to current and potential CJD funding applicants and grantees in Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Live Oak, Nueces, Refugio, and San Patricio Counties.   The department is also responsible for developing a regional strategic plan for prioritizing the criminal justice needs in the CBCOG’s region.  The plan attempts to define the region’s priorities and problems through data provided by stakeholders in the Criminal Justice field, and research.

The Criminal Justice Department also administers the CBCOG’s Law Enforcement Training Academy Program.  The CBCOG is awarded grant funds to contract with an accredited training academy providing the highest quality education, training and professionalism in law enforcement.  The academy provides support to police departments, including university and ISD departments, sheriff offices, constable offices, and other type security/corrections agencies in the CBCOG 11-County region.   Basic training is provided to cadets as well as continuation courses to meet requirements to maintain licensure.  All training is in compliance with standards specified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE).
 

Criminal Justice/Homeland Security Planner - Luci Rios
 

Ms. Rios has served local government for 19 years.  She has a dual role with the Coastal Bend Council of Governments (CBCOG) as the Criminal Justice Program Coordinator and Emergency Management Planner. As Criminal Justice Program Coordinator, Ms. Rios is responsible for overseeing and performing all duties contracted with The Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office, Criminal Justice Division in response to the Criminal Justice needs of the CBCOG 11-county region.  She is responsible for the coordination and participation of developing the CBCOG Regional Criminal Justice Strategic Plan.  Ms. Rios is also responsible for administering the CBCOG’s Law Enforcement Training Academy Program.

Ms. Rios is a participant/member of the Criminal Justice Planners’ Association, Coastal Bend Emergency Manager Association, Coastal Bend Multi-Agency Coordination Center, Emergency Management Association of Texas, and multiple local emergency planning/response committees.