About
One profession, many disciplines.
The United States Council for Law & Investigation is an independent professional association for law enforcement, corrections, forensic, legal, and investigative professionals, and for the students training to join them.
A gap no one had filled
Professional associations in the justice system are almost all organized around a single discipline. That made sense when each discipline worked mostly on its own. It no longer describes the work.
Cross-discipline work is the norm
Federal programs such as the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, established in 1982, and the Internet Crimes Against Children task forces bring agents, analysts, and prosecutors together on a single case. Many state and local investigations now work the same way.
The courtroom proves it
Every discipline converges in court. Officers testify, forensic analysts present findings, prosecutors argue, and defense attorneys test every link. These professionals share one system and depend on each other's work, but they rarely share a professional community.
Students haven't chosen yet
Criminal justice programs graduate large classes every year, and many of those students don't yet know which discipline they will enter. A cross-discipline association can be their professional home from day one.
Mission
To advance the integrity, competence, and public trust of America's justice professions by giving their practitioners a shared standard of conduct, reliable information, and a community that spans every discipline.
We pursue that mission as a business league under section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code: an association of people who share a common professional interest, working to improve conditions across their field.
Our mark
Our mark interlocks the letters of our name inside a shield: distinct disciplines, joined in one form. It is drawn in ink, without seals, flags, or eagles, because we are not, and do not want to look like, a government body.
Where we are today
USCLI received its IRS determination as a 501(c)(6) organization in October 2025. We are in our founding phase:
- We are not yet accepting members, dues, or payments of any kind.
- Our first program, Rules Watch, is in preparation.
- Our Code of Conduct is published, and our governance model is set out for comment.
- We are talking with practitioners before we build anything else.
We would rather grow slowly and accurately than make promises we can't keep. See what we are building, or get in touch.