Ellen Scrivner will become Deputy Director of the National Institute of Justice, the Justice Department's research arm, this month. Scrivner, now director of the Leadership Academy at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, was deputy director of the Justice Department's COPS Office in the 1990s. She has also served as deputy superintendent of the Chicago Police Department and chief psychologist for two major county police departments. President Obama is yet to nominate the NIJ director.
Assistant Attorney General Laurie Robinson of the Office of Justice Programs told her staff that, "Ellen will bring to NIJ a wealth of experience in applied research and successful collaboration between the federal government and state and local law enforcement – as well as her established network of criminal justice organizations and practitioners across the country." John Jay President Jeremy Travis, director of NIJ during the Clinton administration, said, "While the college will miss Dr. Scrivner, we are honored that a highly regarded member of our college community has been named to such an important position in the Obama Administration. She brings to the position a wealth of knowledge and practical experience that will be invaluable to the National Institute of Justice and the nation."
Posted by James K. "CHIPS" Stewart
Thursday, August 13, 2009 09:07
Dr. Scrivner is an outstanding selection representing the best in publuc service, education and experience. She was selected, during my tenure as Director of NIJ, as a NIJ Fellow and have an important impact in initating research into the advance signs that a Police Officer may be in emotional or psychological distress. This provided the opportunity for interventions to help the Officer recover and protect the public. She help the professional staff understand the stress dimensions of police work and the how the research can have important practical applications.
Subsequently, Ellen has continued to “pay-back” the investment of the Fellowship bioth in research, assistance to local and state police agencies. She has also periodically returned to Federal service bringing higher quality judgement informed by real practice into leadership positions within Justice (Deputy Director of COPS Office) and a member of advisory boards.
Congratulations to President Obama, Attorney General Holder and Assistant Attorney General Laurie Robinson, for recruiting and attracting high quality leadership to NIJ — which sadly, has not always been the case. NIJ has suffered high turnover and frequent changes in leadership during its history.
Sincerely,
CHIPS Stewart