About Jessica Toliver

Ms. Toliver has been instrumental in helping local law enforcement agencies enhance their relationships with the community. By focusing on community outreach and building trust, she has played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between law enforcement and the public.

Her expertise extends beyond community relations to resource management. Ms. Toliver has a proven track record of identifying and implementing cost-saving strategies, ensuring that department resources are allocated efficiently to address the ever-evolving challenges faced by law enforcement. 

With more than 20 years of experience in program management, Jessica specializes in the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of criminal justice practitioners and stakeholders to successfully implement evidence-based solutions that are tailored to a jurisdiction’s need.

Jessica Toliver's proficiency spans a wide array of law enforcement and criminal justice issues. From homeland security to violent extremism countermeasures, she possesses a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in maintaining public safety. Her commitment to officer safety and wellness underscores her dedication to creating environments where criminal justice professionals can thrive.

Ms. Toliver has made significant contributions to the improvement of systems and tools within law enforcement agencies. This includes advancements in homicide investigation policies and practices in order to improve case closure rates, reflecting her commitment to delivering justice for communities.

A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Ms. Toliver has been actively involved in initiatives aimed at advancing women in policing. Her efforts have not only contributed to a more diverse law enforcement landscape but have also paved the way for increased representation and equality within the profession.

One of Ms. Toliver's standout achievements is her work in immigrant community outreach. Recognizing the importance of building trust and understanding within diverse communities, she has championed initiatives that enhance collaboration between law enforcement and immigrant populations.

Justice1 Consulting is not just a consultancy; it's a commitment to creating a safer, more just society. Under the leadership of Jessica Toliver, we continue to provide invaluable insights, strategies, and solutions to empower law enforcement agencies and strengthen their connections with the communities they serve.

Explore our website to learn more about Jessica Toliver's journey and the impactful work undertaken by Justice1 Consulting. Together, let's pave the way for a future where justice, equality, and community well-being are at the forefront of law enforcement practices.

Highlights of Qualifications

• Twenty years managing projects in the criminal justice field
• Fifteen years of experience managing large and complex projects

Education

• MPP, Public Policy, University of Michigan, 2004
• BA, Political Science and Journalism, University of Richmond, 1999

Certifications and Security Clearance

• Public Trust Security Clearance (Active)
• Top Secret Security Clearance (expired May 2012)
• Certification in Group Facilitation Methods
• Technology of Participation (ToP) Training from the Institute of Cultural Affairs
• Includes: Focused Conversation, Consensus Workshop and Action Planning
• Certification in Presentations and Briefing
• Certification in Critical Thinking for Intelligence Analysts

Director, National Training and Technical Assistance Center (NTTAC), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Department of Justice (DOJ)

September 2021–June 2023

Ms. Toliver managed a 20-million-dollar budget and 12-person project team comprising data researchers, TTA Coordinators, communication specialists, graphic designers, and software architects that worked together to provide resources to the criminal justice field to enhance their capacity to provide public safety services to the community. Resources and services are provided via 

Responsibilities included:

• Managed a multi-million-dollar project budget and provide responsible stewardship for all project resources including invoicing and routine program and fiscal reporting.
• Led a geographically dispersed team and provide oversight for multi- faceted TTA work.
• Identified needs of target audiences and provided high quality, effective products and services that were responsive to those needs.
• Provided oversight for the delivery of TTA based on evidenced-based practices that provide criminal justice practitioners with the knowledge to improve criminal justice systems.
• Managed subject matter experts to support training and technical assistance, needs assessments, strategic planning, and research and evaluation services.
• Researched evidenced-based approaches and developed publications to improve policies, practices, and programs.
• Developed, supported, and/or implemented resources such as webinars, roundtables, conferences, research briefs, online trainings, monthly newsletters, quarterly “TTA Colleges,” and onsite technical assistance training upon request.

Director, Technical Assistance (TA) Division, Police Executive Research Forum (PERF)

June 2012– September 2021. 

Ms. Toliver managed project teams that conducted research and provided training and technical assistance (TTA) to local law enforcement agencies with the support of government and private foundation grant funds. She oversaw a portfolio of projects, providing national-level guidance to the field on emerging issues impacting public safety. Ms. Toliver also developed and delivered tailored TA to law enforcement agencies on a specific need, such as improving homicide investigative functions or implementing officer safety and wellness programming. 

Responsibilities included:

• Creating and running a TA division comprising a team of 4 full-time staff and 10 part-time subject matter expert consultants.
• Managing budgets, timelines, staffing and deliverables for multiple, multi-year grants from funders such as the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, Ford Foundation, and Carnegie Corporation.
• Identifying critical needs through stakeholder outreach and data analysis in order to develop tools and resources for the field.
• Conducting research and needs assessments, providing tailored hands-on TA, and facilitating peer-to-peer collaboration to assist jurisdictions with improving their capabilities.
• Supervising the development of roundtable events and national-level conferences that bring together local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, subject matter experts, local government representatives, policy makers, and relevant criminal justice stakeholders to address specific emerging issues and enhance communication among stakeholders.
• Publishing practitioner-oriented reports and training curricula for law enforcement executives that identify best practices for the field (e.g., a case study of OSW programming), provide policy guidance (e.g., implementing a body-worn camera or cUAS program), and/or share research findings to assist agencies with implementing and/or expanding their own programming.

Program Manager, Lafayette Group, Inc.

January 2009–June 2012. 

Ms. Toliver served as an executive-level leader. She managed the design and delivery of the DHS/DOJ Fusion Center Technical Assistance Services Program. She also provided onsite TA to fusion centers to enhance their ability to address threats and develop all-hazards strategic capabilities. 

Responsibilities included:

• Designed and managed multimillion-dollar budgets to accomplish project objectives and meet strategic planning goals.
• Managed communication between the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Office of Counterterrorism and Security Preparedness and the fusion center community to promote awareness and utilization of available federal resources to state and local managed fusion centers.
• Identified and directed approximately 15 subject matter experts across the nation.
• Supervised five staff members onsite across multiple projects and competing deadlines.
• Developed and delivered TA workshops to fusion centers across the nation.

Research Associate, PERF

April 2005–December 2008. 

Ms. Toliver was responsible for all aspects of project research, planning, and execution of events. She managed grant-funded projects to provide hands-on TA to local law enforcement agencies and produce research guidance for the criminal justice field. 

Responsibilities included:

• Coordinated and facilitated a series of focus group meetings across the country to gather information and encourage dialogue between state fusion centers and local law enforcement personnel, which was used to inform the development of a federal TA program.
• Produced the “Meth 360” demand reduction strategy in collaboration with the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. Grew program from 4 pilot sites to 14 participating sites across the nation. Provided TA to program participants, including tailored training for each discipline represented (law enforcement, treatment, and prevention agencies).
• Policy Analyst, Center for Best Practices, National Governors Association, April 2004–April 2005. Ms. Toliver served as a resource for state homeland security directors to assist them with identifying policies and practices to inform development of criminal justice programs.
• Coordinated and executed request for proposal and review process to competitively allocate federal funds to qualifying state projects addressing homeland security issues.
• Organized “Policy Academies” for homeland security directors and federal partners to share best practices and promising strategies to enhance community safety.
• Developed and executed the “9/11 Anniversary Survey” project to benchmark success and identify gaps in homeland security programming across the nation.

Public Policy Fellow, Executive Office of Governor Granholm (Michigan)

June 2003–August 2003. 

Ms. Toliver was awarded a 3-month competitive public policy fellowship based upon a public safety-oriented research project proposal. She researched and compared state funding policies nationwide for forensic laboratories conducting DNA analysis and identified alternative funding sources for alleviating the State of Michigan’s DNA backlog.

Legal Assistant, Crowell & Moring, LLP

June 1999–August 2002. 

Ms. Toliver managed the Defense Industry Initiative. She also prepared litigation documents for court filings, bid protests, hearings, and trials.