NSA's Center for Public Safety

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Center for Public Safety

The National Sheriffs' Association Center for Public Safety has been established to address the needs of law enforcement in the following areas: Jail Operations, Court Security, Leadership, and Homeland Security.
 
Court Security Jail Operations Homeland Security Law Enforcement

Announcements

 

Mission

The NSA Center for Public Safety is charged with the following objectives: 
  • To provide professional development, leadership training and resources to increase and strengthen the impact of individuals in middle and senior level management across all law enforcement disciplines.
  • To provide law enforcement individuals assigned to our Nation's Jails with research, analysis, strategic and tactical consulting, training, education and policy input to attain professional goals and objectives.
  • To provide law enforcement individuals assigned to our Nation's Courts and Judicial Centers with research, analysis, strategic and tactical consulting, training, education and policy input to attain professional goals and objectives in securing the facilities they are assigned.
  • To benchmark best practices and solutions to increase the professionalism and quality of persons in the law enforcement industry.
 

Goals

The Center will: 
  • Research and Develop programs and information that impact our officers and leaders
  • Develop cost-efficient and effective professional development programs, training and education
  • Provide specialized training in Leadership, Jail Operations and Court Security Operations
  • Provide resources and up to date information on Leadership, Jail Operations and Court Security
  • Provide access to current professional and experts in Leadership Jail Operations and Court Security

Court Security Certificate Program

NSA offers this certification in five levels (from Basic to a Masters of Court Security). With the increased pressure in the courts to provide security for your judges and all who pass through your courthouse doors, your staff needs to be well trained. NSA is happy to provide this training. Click here for more information.

 

Institute for Court Security at Columbia Southern University

NSA has partnered with Columbia Southern University to provide training, current events and resources on key elements of court security. Online courses are available in several subjects, including:
  • Introduction to Court Security
  • Protecting Court Personnel
  • Physical Security
  • Court Security Supervision
Upon completeion of these four courses you will earn a NSA Certificate in Court and Judicial Security Operations.

Enroll Today

 

NSA Court Security Training

NSA has long provided education for maintaining courthouse security and guarding the courthouse workgroup, citizens and users of the judicial system.  This training will provide an introduction to contemporary concepts and law enforcement strategies related to courthouse and courtroom security.  Topics include:

  • Understanding the need for vulnerability assessment
  • Knowing current courtroom security standards of practice
  • Understanding the need for professional awareness
  • Understanding the basic dynamics and operations needed in planning a high risk/high profile trial
  • Understanding the basic need for advance planning for emergency events

This one or two-day training can be hosted by any agency.  All you need to do is provide the facility, NSA provides the rest.  A minimum of 25 attendees is required to hold the training for the cost of only $150 per person.  A flat fee of $3,800 is charged for classes of less than 25.

Training Schedule

Stapleton, AL: May 10-11, 2012
Hosted by Baldwin County Sheriff's Office
 
Murfreesboro, TN: September 18-19, 2012
Hosted by Rutherford County Sheriff's Office
 
Pocatello, ID: September 25-26, 2012
Hosted by Bannock County Sheriff's Office
 
Olathe, KS: October 8-9, 2012
Hosted by Johnson County Sheriff's Office
 

Court Security Assessments

The security of a courthouse is based on a balance between four essential components: involvement of all stakeholders, security personnel, technological devices, and the configuration of the facility itself.  Absence of any one of these components affects the security of the facility.  The purpose of a Court Security Assessment is to recognize and develop promising practices of accountability and safety.  NSA's process of evaluating operations includes:
  • Identification of current staffing and practices
  • Conducting a basic physical audit including holding facilities
  • Interviewing pertinent personnel, judges and additional court users
  • Disseminating the information in a practical, easy to adopt format
  • Preparing a written report
 
To receive a Court Security Assessment proposal or host a Court Security Training, please contact:
Hilary Burgess
(800) 424-7827 x320
 

Click here for additional Court Security Resources

The Institute for Jail Operations (IJO), a division of the National Sheriffs' Association's Center for Public Safety, was formed in 2011 at the request of sheriffs across the United States. Recognizing that jails are one of the most litigious and largest liability concerns a sheriff faces, and the fact that sheriffs operate over 85% of the jails in the United States, it makes sense that the National Sheriffs' Association focuses its efforts on providing leadership, resources and training for jails.
 
The National Sheriffs’ Association is committed to providing the best resources available to make jails safer, more secure and protect against liability and adverse publicity.
Jail Training
We encourage sheriffs, jail administrators and staff to utilize the resources found within the website as well as those services made available to registered members, such as the jail seminars, articles written by the foremost corrections experts, online training, model policy and the legal-based jail guidelines. 

 

Institute for Jail Operations at Columbia Southern University

NSA has partnered with Columbia Southern University to offer specialized training in jail management and operations. The following programs are offered:

  • Jail Operations Courses
    • Jail Operations Management
    • First and Second Line Supervisor Training
  • Jail Evacuation Course (Homeland Security Course offered at no cost)
  • Jail Management Development

 

NSA Jail Correspondence Training Programs

Thousands of students have graduated from the Jail Officer's Training Program and the First/Second Line Supervisor's Training Program, and the success of these programs continues to flourish. From the volume of informational requests received daily about these programs, we anticipate continued growth as public safety/criminal justice agencies become increasingly aware of the ongoing training needed to carry out their duties.  Click here to learn more about these Jail Correspondence Training Programs.
 
Jail Officer's Correspondence Training Program - $125.00
The Jail Officer's Training Program is a correspondence course designed to fulfill the basic training needs of jail officers. It can also be used as an in-class basic training program. The course includes a manual consisting of 30 chapters covering all areas of a jail officer's responsibilities, chapter and comprehensive final examinations, and a certificate upon successful completion.
 
First/Second Line Supervisor's Correspondence Training Program - $125.00
This newly revised 4th edition correspondence program will help new or potential jail supervisors become better leaders in today's correctional environment by teaching the duties and responsibilities required of an effective line supervisor. Through independent study, participants learn how to motivate subordinates, safeguard the security of the facility, and protect themselves and their subordinates from vicarious liability suits.
 
For more information or to order copies of the Jail Correspondence Training Programs, call  800-424-7827.

 

Technical Assistance and Requests for Info

The requests for assistance received by this section vary from someone seeking policies relating to major events/community functions, use of force, work release, or vehicular pursuit; to a department requesting information on sources of funding for building a new jail. This section responds to these requests by either furnishing the information available through NSA or by referring callers to the appropriate agency that can provide the information sought. It has always been and will continue to be the goal of this section to respond to the numerous requests in a timely manner.  Email NSA's Jail Operations Section or call 800-424-7827 for assistance and requests.

 

Jail Resources

  • Discover Corrections
    • Recruiting and retaining qualified talent is one of the toughest challenges facing the corrections field today. DiscoverCorrections.com is here to help. As the first hiring website dedicated to promoting corrections careers, DiscoverCorrections.com puts powerful tools in your hands. Jail ResourcesPost your jobs. Search resumes. Reach a local and national audience of informed, interested and qualified candidates. And do it all, absolutely FREE. 

NSA provides training for sheriffs, deputies, chiefs of police and others in the field of criminal justice to perform their jobs in the best possible manner.

 

National Sheriffs' Institute

The National Sheriffs' Association (NSA), in concert with the National Institute of Corrections (NIC), boasts one of the nation's most respected training opportunities available for new sheriffs.
 
 

Officer Leadership Program

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Traffic Injury Control Programs, in partnership with the National Sheriffs' Association, sponsors a cooperative program for law enforcement agencies whereby an agency can send an officer to Washington, D.C. for a one-year assignment. These officers help develop state-of-the-art resource materials and work to improve enforcement strategies and training programs on a wide range of traffic safety initiatives. Traffic safety is enhanced when officers review and play an active role in the development of national initiatives. In addition, officers return to their agency with a better understanding of the traffic safety programs of NHTSA and the Federal Highway Administration, as well as the federal contract and grant processes and how to respond to requests for proposals. Officers also gain national exposure, network with highway safety professionals on the federal, state, and local levels, and bring recognition to their agency.

Homeland Protection Professional Certifications

The lines separating the responsibilities of emergency response disciplines were blurred after the September 11th, 2001 attacks. To address these newly melded responsibilities, the profession of Homeland Security was created. Ten years later, there is a recognized need for responders from all disciplines, to include both public sector responders and private sector security professionals to have the knowledge, skills and abilities that allow them to participate in Homeland Protection related activities. 
 
Homeland Protection activities are common to both the public and private sector and include prevention, preparedness, protection, mitigation, response and recovery from, “all hazards” including terrorism.
Employers must know that their employees and prospective employees have demonstrated competency in the area of Homeland Protection. 
 

Certified Homeland Protection Professional

The Certified Homeland Protection Professional (CHPP) designation was established to ensure that an individual who possesses the designation has the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities to be considered a professional in the area of homeland protection.
 
Those who hold the Certified Homeland Protection Professional (CHPP) designation are prepared to help their organizations prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, mitigate and recover from all hazards. They have demonstrated competency, knowledge, skills and abilities in the blended discipline area of Homeland Protection and have completed a rigorous qualification and testing program. Homeland Protection Professionals must have a predetermined blend of experience and education, show completed course work in the knowledge areas required by the Certification Board and take an online course and pass the Homeland Protection Professional test.
 
Requirements
All Certified Homeland Protection Professional (CHPP) applicants must possess the following requirements:
  • U.S. Citizenship
  • At least 21 years of age
  • No felony convictions
  • No dishonorable discharge from the U.S. military (for U.S. Veterans only)
  • Neither a record of disciplinary action from any state, province or territory, or licensing or certification board within the past 10 years nor subject under any such investigation
  • Four (4) years of experience as a responder, security professional or emergency manager.
    • Or: Associates Degree and at least 3 years of experience as a responder, security professional or emergency manager.
    • Or: Bachelor’s Degree and at least 2 years of experience as a responder, security professional or emergency manager.
    • Or: Master’s Degree and 1 year of experience as a responder, security professional or emergency manager.
  • Course work in the knowledge areas as approved by the Certification review committee or pass the Online Certified Homeland Protection Professional Course with a minimum score of 80%.  NSA Course Certificates, NDPCI Certificates, FEMA and DHS Course Certificates in the knowledge areas will be automatically accepted.
 

Certified Homeland Protection Associate

Those who hold the Certified Homeland Protection Associate (CHPA) designation have demonstrated that through course work and testing, they are prepared to begin a career in the area of Homeland Security. CHPA candidates must be current students or have graduated from an accredited college or university. They must have completed course work in predetermined areas relating to Homeland Protection which are determined by the Certification Board, and take an online course and pass the Homeland Protection Associate test.
 
Requirements
All Certified Homeland Protection Associates (CHPA) applicants must possess the following requirements:
  • U.S. Citizenship
  • At least 20 years of age
  • No felony convictions
  • No dishonorable discharge from the U.S. military (for U.S. Veterans only)
  • Neither a record of disciplinary action from any state, province or territory, or licensing or certification board within the past 10 years nor subject under any such investigation
  • Current Student enrolled at an accredited College or University or a Graduate of an accredited College or University.
  • Nine hours of course work in Homeland Security, Emergency Management, Security Management, Criminal Justice, and/or Fire Science as approved by the Certification review committee. NSA Course Certificates and NDPCI Certificates in the knowledge areas will be automatically accepted.