Membership FAQs - Arkansas Criminal Justice Institute Arkansas Criminal Justice Institute

Can an agency change its membership?

Once the membership rate is paid, CJI will not be able to issue refunds for class slots that are not used in the course of the year.

What are the payment options?

Payment options are listed on the invoice and include cash or check.

When should an agency pay its annual membership rate?

You may pay your invoice upon receipt. We have a new invoicing system that will be used for processing 2025 memberships. You must request an invoice for your agency by completing a request form on our website at this link https://www.cji.edu/membership-questionnaire/

An invoice will be issued electronically following your submission. Please allow us 5-7 days to set up your agency in our system and issue an invoice. Once your agency’s payment is received, your membership will be activated.

Will our agency receive a renewal notification when the membership expires?

Yes. Each fall, the Criminal Justice Institute will send agencies a statement reflecting a membership rate based on their average attendance over the past three-year period.

What time period will a membership cover?

Memberships will cover a calendar year, January 1 to December 31. Memberships will need to be renewed on an annual basis.

Will “no shows” impact our membership rate?

Yes. Officers who do not cancel prior to the first day of class will have their attendance for that class included in the agency’s overall total for the year.

“No shows” impact CJI, CJI’s staff, and officers throughout the State. In addition to the staff time it requires to register an officer in a class, “no shows” can result in classes being delivered with a lower attendance than anticipated – classes that could have been filled with officers on the waiting list.

If I have to cancel attendance in an individual class, can I receive a refund?

If you meet the cancellation requirements noted above, your membership rate will not be impacted. Likewise, if you paid as an individual, a credit will be extended towards another class taken during the calendar year. However, officers who do not cancel will not be issued a credit.

What if I need to cancel?

We request a 2-week notice if you need to cancel your attendance in a class. However, we will allow for emergency cancellations.

If you are unable to attend a course for which you have registered, please contact the Institute as soon as possible at (501) 570-8000 or [email protected]. In many instances, courses offered by the Criminal Justice Institute fill to capacity. When this happens, officers who are not admitted to the course are placed on a waiting list to be notified if vacancies become available. By contacting the Institute in advance when you are unable to attend a course, CJI staff can ensure that those on the waiting list are given the opportunity to participate.

Will any CJI classes be available at no cost?

We will continue to offer some of our grant-funded classes at no cost. Please visit Free Classes for a listing of classes that are offered at no cost.

Will the membership cover sworn and non-sworn employees?

With a membership, agencies can send any of their personnel to a CJI class that is appropriate within the scope of their employment, including sworn officers, non-sworn personnel, jailers, civilians, etc. If the attendee is not a sworn officer, they will need to provide current proof of employment with the law enforcement agency.

Who can participate in the CJI membership program?

Agency and individual memberships are only available to Arkansas law enforcement agencies and personnel.

What are the membership rates?

Membership rates are for unlimited attendance for anyone in your agency and includes sworn, non-sworn, jailers, administrative staff, etc. The rates are based off a three-year average class attendance for your agency. Free classes are not included in this average. At the end of the fiscal year, the total number of attendances at membership classes will be used to determine a new three-year average.