Buckeye Reporter

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today applauded President Biden’s decision to appoint Karhlton Moore of Ohio to serve as Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). BJA’s role is to aid state, local, and tribal communities in the form of leadership and grant administration for criminal justice policy to create safer communities. It is also responsible for administering a variety of programs that provide essential aid to police departments across the country, including: the Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Program, the Emmett Till Cold Case Investigation and Training Program, the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) Program, Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP), and Body-Worn Camera (BWC) Initiative. BJA also works to reduce crime and recidivism and promotes a safe criminal justice system 

“As a lifelong public servant, Mr. Moore understands the needs of both communities and law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe,” said Brown. “His experience and leadership at the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services has prepared him for this role. I am proud that the President decided to appoint Mr. Moore to this important position.”

Brown, along with his Democratic colleagues in the Ohio congressional delegation, wrote to President Biden in January urging him to appoint Mr. Moore to serve as Director of BJA. Mr. Moore will oversee a host of important programs including the Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) program, which has provided funding to over 13,000 law enforcement jurisdictions for the purchase of more than 1.4 million lifesaving vests since 1999. Brown leads a letter every year to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies urging them to provide this funding to BJA. In October, Brown helped secure more than $2.3 million for critical tools and equipment for local governments across Ohio through the Byrne JAG Program, a program Mr. Moore will soon oversee 

Last year, Brown fought hard to include additional funding for first responders in the American Rescue Plan, which resulted in $250 million in funding for Ohio police departments. $175 million of this went directly to communities experiencing an increase in violence during the pandemic, to prevent and solve crimes. Another $75 million is being used to support the resilience and recovery of first responders, who have been under intense stress while on the front lines during the pandemic. This includes funding mental health support programs for first responders and recruitment and retention programs to help ensure adequate workforce levels.  

“On behalf of the Ohio Mayors Alliance and our Mayors and Police Chiefs Leadership Committee, we would like to applaud the selection of Karhlton Moore to the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance at the U.S. Department of Justice. Our mayors and police chiefs have come to rely upon the integrity, attention to detail, and professionalism of Mr. Moore and his leadership at the Ohio Department of Public Safety. He is an excellent choice for this important position at DOJ, and we look forward to our continued work together to promote comprehensive public safety solutions in all of our communities,” said Keary McCarthy, Executive Director of the Ohio Mayors Alliance.

“Karhlton Moore has been a leader in Ohio, known for his diligence and integrity within the law enforcement community. We are proud to see a black law enforcement executive from Ohio appointed to lead one of the most important policing policy offices in the nation, and we know that he will execute his job with the same excellence that he has displayed during his tenure as the Executive Director of the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services. We applaud his appointment and thank Sen. Sherrod Brown for working hard to make sure Ohio’s law enforcement community has a voice in the national policing policy conversation,” said Sergeant Christopher Smith-Hughes, Vice President, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) Central Ohio Chapter.

“As leaders in law enforcement training, we understand the uniquely important role that the Bureau of Justice Assistance plays in providing essential resources to police department across the country. Karhlton Moore’s track record of leadership at the Ohio Department of Public Safety and reputation for integrity and professionalism make him an excellent selection to lead the Bureau. We applaud his appointment to lead this important office at the Department of Justice, and have great confidence that he will fairly and equitably administer the programs under the office's charge. We look forward to working with him to improve the quality of training police receive across the country,” said Thor Eells, Executive Director, National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA).

We are very pleased that Senator Brown has brought forth Karhlton Moore to the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance. Senator Brown cares about Ohio’s Sheriffs and deputies and we appreciate his efforts to move this appointment. Karhlton has been a rare commodity in politics; someone everyone can approach, cares deeply about his mission, and refuses to let partisanship or singularly defining points of view dominate.  Sheriffs in Ohio have had Governor DeWine’s support and we have always believed that support carried through to the Office of Criminal Justice Services.  We may not always agree, but Karhlton will listen to our concerns,” said Sheriff Vernon Stanforth (Fayette County, Ohio), President, National Sheriffs Association.

“We were very pleased to see the announcement today that Karhlton Moore, Executive Director of the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS), has been tapped to be the next Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).  Gary Wolske, the President of the Ohio State Lodge, and his 25,000 members have enthusiastically welcomed this news as Mr. Moore has been a reliable and engaging partner and advocate of the men and women in law enforcement.  As Director of BJA, he will play a key role in setting national policing policies and distributing funding that is essential to departments all across this country.  We look forward to working with him closely in the days to come and welcome him to the national law enforcement community,” said Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) National President Patrick Yoes.

“The Bureau of Justice Assistance plays a key role in setting national policing policies and distributing funding that is essential to departments across our state. We are proud to applaud the appointment of one of our own, Karhlton Moore, Executive Director of the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services, to lead this important office. Kharlton has a track record of delivering for law enforcement officers across Ohio and we are excited to see him bring his same passion and excellence to his new role, serving officers across the country. We are also grateful for the hard work of Sen. Sherrod Brown to secure the appointment of a highly qualified Ohioan to lead this important office,” said Gary Wolske, President, Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) of Ohio. 

Mr. Moore is currently the Executive Director of the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) and has served in this role since 2005. He has been with OCJS since 2003 where he previously served as chief legal counsel and legislative liaison. Prior to joining OCJS, Moore served in the Ohio Governor’s office from 2001-2003 as assistant deputy legal counsel. Moore also served as Assistant Attorney General in the Ohio Attorney General’s office working in both the Court of Claims Defense Capital Crimes sections. Moore is from Springfield, Ohio and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Wright State University and his law degree from American University’s Washington College of Law.