Pennsylvania Criminal History System Improvement

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 the 2015 NCHIP priority areas, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) will conduct two projects: update and enhance the protection from abuse (PFA) orders and the limitation of firearm purchases; and the expansion of central booking centers through the purchase of Livescan devices and equipment.

There are two aspects to the PFA order project. The first involves PFA orders which are not currently accessible to NICS. PFA orders are entered into NCIC and as a result are accessed by NICS in the course of firearm purchase inquiries. Because of the differing entry parameters for NCIC certain PFA entries cannot be entered into NCIC. At any given time, there are 1,300-1,500 such orders existing. The project involves getting the PFAs into the NICS Index (if federally disqualifying) or State Index (if state disqualifying).

The second aspect involves offenses which constitute state disqualifiers (but may not be federally disqualifying). NICS has identified all such offenses and built the PA State Index, into which the state can submit the state only disqualifiers. The PCCD currently is not submitting to the State Index, but intends to do so. Since NICS does not have access to “state only” disqualifiers, then it may be possible for a state prohibited individual to make the purchase of a firearm and return to PA, despite the status of a “prohibited person” in PA.

The PSP will contract with a vendor to close the loopholes in the NICS system by ensuring NICS has access to all pertinent records. PSP will follow all contractual state and federal requirements necessary related to the procurement process.

For the Livescan device and equipment project, The Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association indicates there are 6 Pennsylvania geographic county locations that have been identified as being a targeted area for new Central Offender Booking Centers. A cooperative effort between state, county, and local agencies, the Central Booking project integrates the latest technologies for fingerprinting, image identification, video conferencing, and computerized, record management systems.

Additionally, there are 10 sub-stations within PSP Troop barracks that are in need of Commonwealth Photo Imaging Network (CPIN) stations necessary to ensure accurate and efficient case record capturing and recording. These locations only contain a Livescan system for capture of the digital fingerprint. Adding CPIN stations will increase the number of photographs that can be submitted to NCIC by the PSP.

CA/NCF