Blog posts

Virtual Best Practices Workshop Focuses on Technology and FOIA

Thu, 21 May 2020 00:00:00 -0400

The Chief FOIA Officers Council Technology Committee highlighted best practices for agencies to further leverage technology to advance FOIA administration.

The Department of Justice’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) Provides COVID-19 Related Technical Assistance to Partner Countries

Thu, 21 May 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Since 1991, OPDAT has provided expert assistance and case-based mentoring to foreign counterparts to develop justice systems that can combat transnational crime, corruption, and terrorism consistent with international standards (e.g. the UN Convention against Corruption).

OVW Honors Law Enforcement During Police Week

Laura L. Rogers, Acting Director, Office on Violence Against Women — Thu, 14 May 2020 00:00:00 -0400

OIP Now Offers Virtual FOIA Training for Agency FOIA Professionals

Tue, 05 May 2020 00:00:00 -0400

OIP is now accepting registration for topic-specific FOIA training sessions to be offered online.?

Fox News Op-Ed: Americans can help DOJ fight child exploitation amid pandemic

Assistant Attorney General Beth A. Williams — Sat, 02 May 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Over the past few months, our lives have changed dramatically due to COVID-19. We have seen the best of America emerge – our nation’s medical professionals, first responders, and supply chain workers have acted heroically, along with so many others.

Western Hemisphere: ICITAP Webinar Supports Pathology and Crime Scene Investigation During COVID-19 Pandemic

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0400

On April 27, ICITAP’s Central America mission conducted a webinar titled “Pathology and Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) During the COVID-19 Pandemic” for hundreds of subject matter experts from throughout the Western Hemisphere. Chaired by ICITAP-Central America’s Attaché, the 80-minute webinar began with a pre-recorded media interview from the Dominican Republic, which highlighted the critical work currently carried out by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) in Washington, DC.

Courts, Police and Advocates Use Technology During Pandemic to Help Prevent Domestic Violence

Laura L. Rogers, Acting Director, Office on Violence Against Women — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Many victims of domestic abuse are currently left no option than to shelter in place and to stay in their home with their abuser to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. As a result, many communities are implementing creative solutions, often working remotely and incorporating the use of technology, to protect victims and prevent violence.

Pandemic Punctuates 19th Annual National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

Laura L. Rogers, Acting Director, Office on Violence Against Women — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0400

The spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States is having a dire effect on all Americans, but victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking are uniquely burdened by this crisis.

Increased Risk of Domestic Violence Requires Proper Gun Safety

Laura L. Rogers, Acting Director, Office on Violence Against Women — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0400

As citizens across the nation follow public health instructions to shelter in their homes to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus Disease, victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse are facing increased risk to their own personal safety.

Washington Examiner Op-Ed: How the Justice Department is standing up for civil rights amid coronavirus pandemic

Eric S. Dreiband, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Best Practices Workshop on Technology in FOIA to Be Held Virtually

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0400

**Now Virtual at New Time** The previously scheduled Best Practices Workshop on FOIA and technology featuring the Chief FOIA Officer Council Technology Committee will now be held online.

Update on Operation Lady Justice: Task Force Continues Work to Address Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0400

2019 FOIA Litigation and Compliance Report Now Available

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Newly published FOIA Litigation and Compliance Report details a range of efforts by OIP to encourage government-wide compliance with the FOIA, including new policy guidance, robust government-wide training, and other open government initiatives.

Kick off Sunshine Week 2020 with the Department of Justice

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Join us in an early celebration of Sunshine Week 2020 this Thursday, March 12.??

Fiscal Year 2019 FOIA Data Available

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0500

OIP is pleased to announce that it has uploaded the Fiscal Year 2019 Annual FOIA Report data for all 118 agencies subject to the FOIA onto FOIA.gov.

OPDAT-Created Courtroom Security Manual Presented in Malaysia

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0500

On March 4, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the country’s first Manual on Courtroom Security in Terrorism Cases was presented to the Chair of Malaysia’s National Judicial Security Committee (NJSC) for consideration and adoption.

Rescheduled Best Practices Workshop on Technology in FOIA

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0500

**NEW DATE: April 20**? Agency FOIA professionals are invited to join OIP and OGIS for a joint Best Practices Workshop on FOIA and technology featuring the Chief FOIA Officer Council Technology Subcommittee.

Pakistan: ICITAP Completes Advanced First Aid Course with National Highway & Motorway Police

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0500

On February 28, ICITAP concluded the Advanced First Aid Course at the National Highway & Motorway Police (NHMP) Training Facility in Kot Ranjit.

Nepal: ICITAP Mentors National Police to Strengthen Criminal Investigative Capacity

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0500

On February 28, ICITAP completed an intensive two-week engagement to provide the Nepal Police Job Task working group assistance in finalizing the criminal investigator task list, equipment list, and risk analysis lists for criminal investigator position.?

OPDAT Strengthens Central American Coordination against MS-13 and 18th Street Gangs

Thu, 27 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0500

On February 27, in Antigua, Guatemala, OPDAT hosted an Operation Regional Shield meeting with prosecutors, investigators, and analysts from Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico.

The Americans with Disabilities Act 30th Anniversary: Furthering the Promise

Wed, 26 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0500

2020 marks the 30th anniversary of President George H.W. Bush signing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law.?Throughout this 30th anniversary year, the Division is publishing a monthly series of blog posts highlighting the impact that our recent ADA enforcement efforts have made in people’s everyday lives. We celebrate the many ways in which the ADA has transformed American society and enabled a generation of Americans with disabilities to thrive.?At the same time, we recognize that too many barriers to equal opportunity remain.?We recommit to our work of making the promise of the ADA a reality, enabling all Americans with disabilities to achieve their dreams and reach their full potential.

National African American History Month: Remembering Rosa Parks’ Work to Address Sexual Assault

Laura L. Rogers, Acting Director, Office on Violence Against Women — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0500

Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable Meets to Discuss Legal Services for Human Trafficking Victims

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0500

On February 21, members of the Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable (LAIR)—co-chaired by the Department of Justice and the Domestic Policy Council—met at the White House to discuss best practices for providing legal services to victims of human trafficking.

ICITAP Leads International Delegation at AAFS Annual Meeting

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0500

On February 21, ICITAP’s Senior Forensic Advisor concluded ICITAP’s participation at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in Anaheim, CA. This year’s event was titled “Crossing Borders.” ICITAP led a delegation of 20 international participants from Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Nepal and Montenegro.

Panama: ICITAP Completes Train-the-Trainer Program with National Police

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0500

On February 21, ICITAP’s Train-The-Trainer course successfully concluded with the graduation of 15 members of the Panamanian National Police (PNP) by ICITAP’s three-person training team.