Divisions

Community & Economic Development

Criminal Justice

CAPCOG’s Criminal Justice Division has been designated by the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division, as the agency responsible for regional criminal justice planning for the ten-county area of Region 12. CAPCOG’s Criminal Justice Planner provides grant applicants technical assistance in applying for grants through the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division, administers state and federal funds, and assists communities, local governments and nonprofit entities in developing and preparing programs and projects that identify criminal justice, juvenile justice, and victim services issues. This process is guided by local community plans that document trends and social service needs, and provide lists of priorities seeking solutions. Agencies looking to apply for funding through the Governor’s Office, Criminal Justice Division, must participate in their county’s community planning process or submit an application for funding that addresses an identified priority in their home county’s community plan.

The CAPCOG CJD is also responsible for coordinating the grant application review and prioritization process as required by the Criminal Justice Division of the Governor’s Office. With the assistance of the CAPCOG Criminal Justice Systems Committee, the grant applications are reviewed and priorities set for all criminal justice funding. Such priorities are established as the Regional Criminal Justice Plan and submitted to the Governor’s Office for funding approval.


Criminal Justice Planning & Grant Coordination

PO Box 17848
Austin, Texas 78760-7848
TEL: 512.916.6160
FAX: 512.916.6001
Michelle Casanova, Assistant Director, Community and Economic Development


2009 - 2010 Statistical Overviews by County/County Cluster

Statistical Overview- Bastrop, Fayette, and Lee Counties
Statistical Overview- Blanco, Burnet, and Llano Counties 
Statistical Overview - Caldwell County
Statistical Overview- Hays County
Statistical Overview- Travis County
Statistical Overview- Williamson County 


Approved 2009 - 2010 Community Plans and Resources

Approved 2009 - 2010 Bastrop, Fayette, and Lee Counties Community Plan
Approved 2009 - 2010 Travis County Community Plan


Criminal Justice Grant Coordination Links


Historical Criminal Justice Planning Links




Regional Training Academy

The Regional Training Academy (RTA) was created within the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG), State Planning Region 12, to establish a central, managed, method of delivering professional law enforcement training within the ten county regions. Since its conception, the RTA has played a critical role in providing needed training to the area law enforcement personnel.

The RTA provides both entry level (pre-service) training, as well as continuing education (in-service) training to law enforcement and criminal justice personnel. To satisfy the region’s need for trained law enforcement applicants, the RTA provides the entry level “Basic Peace Officer’s Course”. The Basic Peace Officer’s Course is designed to provide students with the knowledge essential to begin a law enforcement career, and prepare the students to take the State Peace Officer Licensing Examination.

The RTA provides in-service training courses designed to fulfill the needs of law enforcement personnel throughout our region. The RTA produces law enforcement training courses that not only correspond with all mandated learning objectives set out by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE), but also reflects the current needs and trends of our region. The RTA continually seeks to provide the most qualified instructors to present these courses.

The RTA strives to produce effective and efficient training courses that meet the training needs of the region. The regional training needs are assessed by measuring the results of a bi-annual “Training Needs Survey”, by input from the Regional Training Academy’s Law Enforcement Education Committee (LEEC) and by input from area chiefs and training coordinators. The RTA is committed to providing these courses within a close proximity to agencies needing the training. Regional training assessments allow the RTA to strategically locate satellite training facilities to provide training near to departments needing the training.

The RTA provides a service to area law enforcement agencies by sponsoring in-service courses that are taught by their personnel to members their own department. Through sponsoring these courses, the RTA provides an administrative function by approving the instructor’s qualifications and lesson content, providing TCLEOSE credit and maintaining all essential record keeping for each course.

Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice training will continue to be a challenge. Changes in statutory law, case law, public policy, crime trends and public opinion will always dictate needs in training. The RTA is committed to satisfy these needs by producing courses designed to enhance the quality, productivity and needs of the law enforcement agencies within State Planning Region 12.



  • VACANT, Director of Training

  • Mike Jennings, Chief Academy Instructor

  • Elizabeth Mansfield, Training Coordinator

  • Stephanie Johnston, Administrative Assistant

Basic Peace Officer Certification (BPOC) Training

In-Service Law Enforcement Continuing Education Programs

Regional Training

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