6 U.S.C. § 165 — National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Centers

(a) In general. The Director of the Office must operate and support National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Centers (called "Centers" in this section), and may set up new Centers when needed through a competitive, merit-based process. (b) Purpose of Centers. The Centers exist to: (1) support research and development of law enforcement technology; (2) support transferring and putting that technology into use; (3) help develop and share guidelines and technical standards; and (4) give technology assistance, information, and support for law enforcement, corrections, and criminal justice work. (c) Annual meeting. Each year, the Director must hold a meeting of the Centers to encourage them to work together and communicate. (d) Report. Within 12 months of November 25, 2002, the Director had to send Congress a report assessing how well the existing system of Centers worked and identifying how many Centers are needed to meet the technology needs of federal, state, and local law enforcement across the United States.