Minnesota CCH Automation Project

The goal of the National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) is to improve the Nation's safety and security by enhancing the quality, completeness, and accessibility of criminal history record information and by insuring the nationwide implementation of criminal justice and noncriminal justice background check systems. BJS provides direct financial and technical assistance to the states to improve criminal history and other related records and to build their infrastructure to connect to national record check systems both to supply information and to conduct the requisite checks.

Under this award, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) will use funds for a project that supports and enhances the state's ability to share complete and accurate records with criminal justice and non-criminal justice partners. BCA indicates there are approximately 31,700 records that are not fully automated and, consequently, not immediately accessible at the time of a background check. Once relevant records are identified, the records supporting documents will be retrieved from microfilm and/or paper files. The information from these documents will be entered into the Computerized Criminal History (CCH) System. When all documents are entered and verified, they are deemed "automated" and are available immediately through an electronic inquiry. Through overtime pay to existing staff, BCA will use funds to automate as many of these records as possible in 12 months, and synchronize with Interstate Identification Index (III) records when applicable.

CA/NCF