Thomas M. Clarke, Ph.D.
National Center for State Courts
Sheriff Michael W. Milstead
National Sheriffs' Association
Global is a ''group of groups,'' representing more than 30 independent organizations, spanning the spectrum of law enforcement, judicial, correctional, and related bodies. Member organizations participate in Global with a shared responsibility and shared belief that, together, they can bring about positive change by making recommendations and supporting the initiatives of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
To help steer and facilitate Global efforts, the U.S. Attorney General reached out to key personnel from local, state, tribal, federal, and international justice entities to form the Global Advisory Committee (GAC). GAC's efforts have direct impact on the work of 4 million justice and public safety professionals and positions Global to impact citizens of the United States, Canada, and beyond.
Global's mission-the efficient sharing of data among justice entities
-is at the very heart of modern public safety and law enforcement.
The GAC includes agency executives and policymakers, automation planners and managers, information practitioners, and, most importantly, end users. This last group distinguishes GAC as a committee whose members remain actively dedicated to information sharing because they continue to be producers, consumers, and administrators of crucial justice-related data. GAC membership reflects the tenet that the entire justice community must be involved in information exchange. Experts represent the following constituencies:
Law enforcement agencies
Probation and parole departments
Additional agencies directly involved in the justice process.
The GAC operates in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act
provisions and convenes twice a year in Washington, DC. Meetings are announced in the Federal Register
, and the public is welcome to attend as observers.
The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) aids the member organizations of Global, and the people they serve, through a series of important initiatives. These include the facilitation of GAC Working Groups
; development of technology standards, such as the National Information Exchange Model (NIEM)
; creation of white papers on data sharing issues, such as the National Criminal Intelligence Sharing Plan (NCISP)
; and the dissemination of information via the Global website.
The GAC Working Groups work collaboratively to address the policy, connectivity, and jurisdictional issues that have hampered effective justice information sharing. Global working groups are comprised of GAC members and other subject-matter experts who expand GAC's knowledge and experience. The groups are formed around timely issues impacting justice information sharing.
The work of the GAC has implications of the highest importance-making it the foremost voice for justice information sharing.