Training and Technical Assistance
The U.S. Department of Justice’s nationwide strategy to combat violent crime in partnership with state, local, and tribal law enforcement and communities is supported by enhanced training and technical assistance (TTA) from leading national organizations.
Types of Training and Technical Assistance
Regional Support Teams
Click on a state or territory to learn more about the PSN team supporting the region.
Click on a region below to learn more about the PSN team supporting it.
Bio
Bill Taylor is a seasoned subject matter expert and advisor at CNA’s Center for Justice Research and Innovation (JRI). He has been involved in significant projects like the Racial Bias Audit for the Albany, NY Police Department, and serves as a liaison and advisor to several Department of Justice (DOJ) programs. Bill is the Pacific Region TTA liaison for the DOJ’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Program (PSN) and works as a strategic site liaison for public safety partnerships, including Shreveport, LA, and Suffolk County, NY. Recently, Bill contributed to a Racial Equity Audit for the Worcester, MA Police Department.
Previously, Bill spent over 36 years in law enforcement, including as Superintendent of the Lowell, MA Police Department. He is known for his innovative, problem-solving approach to policing, working closely with law enforcement personnel and community partners. His experience and leadership continue to influence public safety initiatives nationwide.
Bio
Heather Perez serves as a Training and Technical Coordinator at Michigan State University’s (MSU) School of Criminal Justice. Over her 24-year tenure at MSU, she has contributed to numerous programs such as the Project Safe Neighborhoods National Evaluation, Drug Market Intervention Training, and the Comprehensive Anti-Gang Initiative. She has also been instrumental in the development of the Innovations Suite Researcher-Practitioner Fellows Academy and the Violent Crime Reduction Course.
With over 30 years of experience in criminal justice research and training, Heather has worked on various DOJ initiatives and conducted independent research. She holds a Master’s in Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska Omaha and has served as a DOJ Peer Reviewer for eight years.
Bio
Geoff Smith is a law enforcement and fire safety expert with over two decades of experience. At CNA, he serves as a subject matter expert and liaison for the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Project Safe Neighborhoods in the Mountain Plains region. Geoff also advises the Body-Worn Camera Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) program, and the VALOR Officer Safety and Wellness Initiative.
Before joining CNA, Geoff was the Public Safety Director for Sturgis from 2013 to 2020. He has presented on various public safety topics at major conferences, including those hosted by the National Sheriffs Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Geoff holds a Bachelor of Science in Management and Organizational Development from Spring Arbor University and is certified in multiple disciplines, including computer and cell phone forensics.
Bio
Asha Collins is a criminal justice expert specializing in victim services. She has led multiple federally funded projects focused on providing training and technical assistance to law enforcement agencies nationwide. Prior to joining CNA, Asha served as a senior victim advocate for Victim/Witness Services of South Philadelphia, helping victims of violent crimes navigate the criminal justice system.
Asha holds a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology from the University of Pennsylvania. Her work continues to strengthen partnerships between law enforcement and the communities they serve, with a focus on victims’ rights and support.
Bio
Assistant Chief (Ret.) Darnell Davenport brings over three decades of law enforcement experience to his role as a TTA Liaison. He spent 31 years with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), culminating in his leadership as Assistant Chief for the Birmingham Police Department. In both roles, he led initiatives to enhance community engagement, strategic planning, and public safety efforts.
Darnell was the first to command LAPD’s Community Outreach and Development Division and transformed COMPSTAT in Birmingham. Since 2022, he has advised departments nationwide on violence reduction and community policing. He holds a Master’s in Public Administration and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Bio
Heather Perez serves as a Training and Technical Coordinator at Michigan State University’s (MSU) School of Criminal Justice. Over her 24-year tenure at MSU, she has contributed to numerous programs such as the Project Safe Neighborhoods National Evaluation, Drug Market Intervention Training, and the Comprehensive Anti-Gang Initiative. She has also been instrumental in the development of the Innovations Suite Researcher-Practitioner Fellows Academy and the Violent Crime Reduction Course.
With over 30 years of experience in criminal justice research and training, Heather has worked on various DOJ initiatives and conducted independent research. She holds a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska Omaha and has served as a DOJ Peer Reviewer for eight years.
Bio
Bio
Melissa A. Gutierrez is an expert in criminal justice research with a focus on gang networks and gun violence including gun markets. At CNA, her work includes providing training and technical assistance on violent crime reduction programs and researching technology in law enforcement.
Prior to joining CNA, Gutierrez worked at the Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety, where she participated in projects related to program evaluation, violent death surveillance and unintentional overdose death surveillance. Gutierrez holds a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice with two minors in justice studies and statistics from Arizona State University.
Bio
Didi Nelson has worked half a century in the field of criminal justice, including a distinguished career at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, USDOJ. As the Law Enforcement Coordination Manager, she oversaw coordination among more than 350 agencies and led initiatives across Georgia. She also handled internal management responsibilities, such as COVID Coordinator and Deputy District Security Officer, as well as coordination among other non-justice government agencies. She previously served as a Sergeant with the Cobb County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office.
Didi is a nationally recognized law enforcement instructor and personally has trained more than 75,000 officers and agents in more than 40 states. She has spoken for several national and statewide law enforcement organizations. Her training on Racial and Ethnic Profiling more than 20 years ago was recognized in the book Profiles in Injustice. She has received numerous accolades for her contributions, including the Director’s Award for Outstanding Law Enforcement Coordination; the IACP Leadership in Human and Civil Rights Award; and the Georgia Gang Investigators Association Lifetime Achievement Award.
Bio
DeAnna Sweeney is an expert in criminal justice and mass communication, currently supporting multiple projects at CNA, including the Smart Policing Initiative, Project Safe Neighborhoods, and the Public Safety Partnership. As an Analyst and Research Specialist on these projects, she maintains detailed knowledge of site initiatives, supports strategic planning, and suggests training and technical assistance strategies to meet site needs. She also specializes in outreach, creating social media material for the Smart Policing Initiative’s Twitter account and updating their website with new resources and publications.
DeAnna holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a minor in mass communication from Old Dominion University. Before joining CNA, she worked at ICF International, where she reviewed telecommunications funding applications for rural medical practices under FCC guidelines.
Bio
Deputy Chief Eve Gushes served 32 years with the Chicago Police Department, rising to Deputy Chief of Constitutional Policing and Reform Management. She led a team of 665, overseeing force review, policy, and compliance efforts. Gushes played a key role in increasing compliance with the CPD’s consent decree from 11% to 70% over five reporting periods. In 2017, she established the CPD’s first Force Review Unit, enhancing officer training and reducing liability.
Throughout her career, she led divisions including Vice Control and Training, developing curriculum for officer training. Eve holds a Doctorate degree in Education from Loyola University Chicago, a Master’s Degree in Curriculum Design and Development from Loyola University Chicago and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from DePaul University. Currently, she serves as Strategic Site Liaison for the Albuquerque Police Department.
Bio
Melissa A. Gutierrez is an expert in criminal justice research with a focus on gang networks and gun violence including gun markets. At CNA, her work includes providing training and technical assistance on violent crime reduction programs and researching technology in law enforcement.
Prior to joining CNA, Gutierrez worked at the Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety, where she participated in projects related to program evaluation, violent death surveillance, and unintentional overdose death surveillance. Gutierrez holds a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice, with minors in justice studies and statistics, from Arizona State University.
Bio
Edward A. Flynn is a seasoned expert in law enforcement operations, public safety partnerships, and violence reduction. He has held multiple high-profile roles, including Chief of Police in Milwaukee, WI, Police Commissioner in Springfield, MA, and Secretary of Public Safety in Massachusetts. Edward has been recognized for his leadership in recovery efforts after 9/11 while he served as Police Chief in Arlington, VA and his contributions to evidence-based policing strategies.
Edward holds a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from LaSalle University. His numerous awards include the FBI National Executive Institute’s Penrith Leadership Award and Cambridge University’s Robert Peel Award. He was inducted into the George Mason University Evidence Based Policing Hall of Fame.
Bio
Alexa Blondin is a research specialist at CNA’s Center for Justice Research and Innovation (JRI), where she supports law enforcement agencies in the development of training and technical assistance programs. She has worked with multiple sites on the Smart Policing Initiative and the Project Safe Neighborhoods program, helping them reach their goals through logistical and strategic support.
Alexa holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice. She is currently working on a DOJ COPS Office project called the Collaborative Reform Initiative Organizational Assessment, as a coordinating analyst.
