FY 2014 Tennessee National Criminal History Improvement Program

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 Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Criminal Justice Programs will transfer funds to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to aid in the state's efforts to improve criminal history records.

Phase I of TBI's 5-year Criminal History Record Improvement Project is an effort to modernize and standardize the method that original charge data is collected from the primary booking agencies and reported to the repository. Tasks will include: 1) development of the arrest charge and livescan data collection standards; 2) replacement of the designated county booking agency's livescan equipment that has aged past the end of life; 3) replacement of firewalls installed with each livescan, as well as replacement of additional firewalls at local and state law enforcement agencies, and those at termination stations; and 4) purchase of a 12-month maintenance agreement for the new livescan devices. A drop down menu of standardized charge information will be developed in the livescan machines to improve how the information is presented on the rap-sheet and to make faster determinations of disqualifying arrests. Funds will also be used to develop a statewide stakeholders group to help create and propose legislation for implementing a Relief from Disabilities Program, a requirement states must fulfill to be eligible for a grant under the NICS Act Record Improvement Program.

Travel funds are being requested to have two staff members attend the National Association for Justice Information Systems (NAJIS) Conference, an event that focuses on criminal history record management. (CA/NCF)