TIME System History

The TIME (Transaction Information for Management of Enforcement) System is a data communications system and message switch that serves all State and local criminal justice agencies in Wisconsin.  TIME was implemented in October of 1972 to meet a basic need of all criminal justice agencies, fast and efficient exchange of factual criminal justice information.  The system has not only modernized data communications capability, but also interfaces criminal justice agencies to factual data files that are complete, up-to-date and rapidly accessible.

The nucleus of the TIME System is a computer-based data communications control center provided by the Crime Information Bureau.  The control center interfaces TIME terminals to data files, as well as providing the capabilities to send administrative messages to other terminals in Wisconsin and nationwide.  In addition to accessing data files at the Crime Information Bureau, the TIME System also links agencies to the Wisconsin Departments of Transportation, Natural Resources and Corrections, the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS).  These connections allow TIME System users to access information from across the United States and Canada.

The Crime Information Bureau maintains databases on warrant, wanted and missing persons, stolen vehicles, parts or license plates, criminal history information and persons subject to a protection order or injunction.  The Department of Transportation maintains information on vehicle registration and driver files, Natural Resources various hunting licenses along with recreational-type vehicle registrations, while Corrections provides probation and parole files along with the sex offender registry.  NCIC maintains similar warrant, wanted and missing person files, vehicle files and protection orders  along with stolen articles, securities,  boats, stolen or recovered guns, criminal history and information on gang or terrorist groups or members.  NLETS provides administrative messaging functions nationwide along with access to state files from outside of Wisconsin in addition to Canadian files.  Each of these functions are detailed later in this manual.