Our Mission.
To support state and local governments in developing and implementing safety and justice policies that are effective and efficient in the advancement of both civil rights and civil order.
About Us.
Local governments are being called upon to re-examine the role of the criminal justice system and rethink policing in unprecedented ways. Many local governments need expert advice and assistance to understand the complexities of issues related to policy, operations and budget.
In 2017, PFM created the Center for Justice & Safety Finance to support state and local governments in developing and implementing safety and justice policies that are effective and efficient in the advancement of both civil rights and civil order. Without both civil rights and civil order, neither can be achieved. With our fiscal expertise, we know that the smartest budget policy is almost always the one that most advances justice.
At the Center for Justice & Safety Finance, we help local governments by:
Conducting comprehensive criminal justice system and departmental reviews.
Supporting local governments in outcomes-based budgeting and the development of multi-year financial plans, with a focus on the costs of law enforcement and opportunities for alternative investments.
Analyzing the role of fines and fees in the criminal justice system and developing plans that allow local governments to reduce reliance on them as a source of revenue.
Providing research and analysis for the development of new systems, policies and practices designed to improve law enforcement disciplinary processes and increase accountability.
The Center for Justice & Safety Finance is part of PFM’s Management and Budget Consulting practice, which works to improve people’s lives by helping state and local governments solve their toughest challenges. Founded in 1975, PFM provides sound independent advice to governmental and non-profit entities. Learn more about PFM at pfm.com.
Leaders in Justice & Safety Finance
Sarah Schirmer
Sarah Schirmer is an executive director of the Center and a managing director at PFM. She leads the Center’s work on fines and fees and is an expert on criminal justice policy. Before joining PFM, Sarah served as the criminal justice policy advisor to the former mayor of New Orleans and led the City’s progress to reduce its jail population by more than 20 percent.
Dr. Ronal Serpas
Dr. Ronal Serpas is a senior advisor to the Center. He formerly served as the chief of the Washington State Patrol, chief of police in Nashville, Tennessee and police superintendent of New Orleans, Louisiana. Nationally and internationally recognized for his expertise, Ron is the Professor of Practice for Criminology and Justice at Loyola University, former vice president – and now honorary president – of the International Association of Chiefs of Police; and co-chair of Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime and Incarceration.
Dr. R. Erich Caulfield
Dr. R. Erich Caulfield is a senior fellow at the Center and has led complex criminal justice-related operations and planning work in multiple cities across the country. Recognized for his important contributions to public policy, Erich has served as a White House Fellow and staff member for the Domestic Policy Council during the Obama Administration, and as Chief Policy Advisor to then Newark, NJ Mayor Cory Booker. Erich is the founder and president of The Caulfield Consulting Group, former president of MIT’s Alumni Association, and is a member of the Executive Committee of MIT’s Board of Trustees.
Greg Butler
Greg Butler is a director at PFM and works with the Center on issues of collective bargaining. He has assisted local governments on compensation, benefits, economic, and fiscal analyses; negotiation support, table-side strategic guidance, and expert witness testimony for collective bargaining proceedings.
Seth Williams
Seth Williams is a deputy director of the Center and a director at PFM. Seth serves as the day-to-day project manager and analyst for numerous city and county criminal justice and public safety agencies throughout the nation. His work at PFM has helped reduce expenditures, increase efficiencies and outcomes, and redesign portions of criminal justice and public safety systems for a variety of government clients.
Caroline Sylvan
Caroline Sylvan is a director at PFM who works with the Center on issues related to human services. Caroline has led a series of projects related to operations and organization of social services agencies, with a particular focus on child welfare.
Chloe Bohm
Chloe Bohm is a senior managing consultant at PFM and works in the Center with a focus on criminal justice policy and budgeting. Prior to joining PFM in 2020, Chloe served as Executive Policy Specialist in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and as a budget analyst for the Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee.
Kevin Watters
Kevin Watters is a senior managing consultant at PFM and works in the Center with a focus on public safety. Kevin supports local governments on budget, workforce, organizational, and operational assessments of police, fire, and emergency services.