Criminal Justice Professional Associations & Organizations

List of Criminal Justice Professional Associations & Organizations

The following List of Criminal Justice Professional Associations & Organizations features a compilation of membership-based organizations for criminal justice professionals.

Joining professional associations is a great way to pursue professional development and connect with like-minded professionals. It also enhances your credentials on your Resume and LinkedIn profile.

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Related: How to Build Your Network Using Professional Associations

I recommend using this list as a starting point to identify organizations you’re interested in joining, then researching membership costs, eligibility, and how each aligns with your career goals.

Here’s the List:

• American Correctional Association (ACA) offers training, support and operational standards to correctional facilities and officers.
• American Jail Association (AJA) is the leading industry organization exclusively focused on supporting the professionals who staff and operate US jails.
• American Polygraph Association (APA) is the world’s leading association dedicated to the use of evidence-based scientific methods for credibility assessment.
• American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) is a nonprofit professional society of crime laboratory directors and forensic science managers.
• American Society of Criminology (ASC) is a membership organization comprised of students, practitioners, and academicians from the many fields of criminal justice and criminology.
• Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE) is a membership-based organization for practitioners of firearm and/or tool mark identification.
• Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP) is a membership-based organization for individuals involved in the area of threat and violence risk assessment.
• High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA) welcomes professionals in the prevention, investigation and prosecution of crimes involving advanced technologies.
• International Association for Identification (IAI) is the world’s oldest and largest forensic science/identification association.
• International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) is a professional association for law enforcement worldwide.
• International Association of Crime Analysts (IACA) is a membership organization comprised of crime analysts, intelligence analysts, police officers, educators, and students.
• International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts (IALEIA) is the largest professional organization representing law enforcement intelligence analysts.
• International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA) is dedicated to promoting the safe and effective use of bicycles for cyclists in law enforcement, emergency medical services, and security.
• Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA) is a professional organization of police executives representing the largest cities in the United States and Canada.
• National Association of Bail Agents (NABA) is a membership-based professional organization dedicated to advocating for the bail bond industry.
• National Association of Chiefs of Police (NACOP) supports and promotes the law enforcement profession.
• National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) is a non profit association of fire investigation professionals dedicated to the education of fire investigators worldwide.
• National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA) represents state, tribal and local governments on crime prevention and crime control issues.
• National Association of Forensic Counselors (NAFC) sets out to develop a competent workforce to counsel, treat, evaluate, supervise and manage criminal offenders.
• National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) is a membership-based organization dedicated to advocating for the interests and rights of America’s law enforcement officers.
• Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) is a membership organization dedicated to improving the delivery of police services through national leadership, research, and policy development.
• Small & Rural Law Enforcement Executives Association (SRLEEA) is dedicated to supporting law enforcement executives that serve small, rural & tribal communities across America.
• Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT) is a membership-based professional association representing forensic toxicology professionals.
• Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI is a membership-based professional association representing former FBI Special Agents.
• United States Police Canine Association (USPCAK9) is a membership organization for full-time paid law enforcement officers specializing in canine handling, training, or administration.

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