NCJ Number
189628
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 28 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2001 Pages: 144-151
Date Published
July 2001
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article discusses Wisconsin law enforcement agencies working together to create a regional information sharing system.
Abstract
In 1999 Wisconsin's Office of Justice Assistance approved funding to pursue development of the Regional Crime Information System (RCIS), a computerized system that would link systems in 10 counties and 2 drug/gang task forces. Together the agencies cover more than 40,000 square miles in the northwestern part of the State, serving more than 250,000 residents and thousands more who vacation there. RCIS assists administrators, detectives, and investigators looking for crime patterns. The system has different levels of security based on the type of information needed, and each sheriff can restrict information entered into the system. The public can access information, but to a lesser degree than that afforded law enforcement entities. When RCIS is complete in northwestern Wisconsin, 11 counties and as many as 20 police departments will be participating. Other jurisdictions have expressed interest in linking with RCIS, including 13 county sheriffs in northeastern Minnesota. The article claims that, when Federal data sharing standards are set, RCIS has the potential for use at the national level, helping agencies meet those standards without needing to purchase new systems.