General Policies

The following procedures have been adopted by the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) and comply with the U.S. Department of Justice Rules and Regulations (Title 28) affecting the interstate exchange of criminal history record information. The use of administrative messages for requesting and sending criminal history record information will not be permitted. Special CHRI message keys and formats will be used for this type of information exchange.

The following policies apply to all Wisconsin law enforcement agencies:

1.  All agencies requesting CHRI shall ensure that proper controls are established such that only authorized criminal justice agencies and personnel can access CHRI.

2.  All agencies requesting CHRI shall ensure that all authorized criminal justice agencies and personnel having access to the TIME System shall utilize specific formats for CHRI requests.

3.  All agencies providing CHRI shall ensure that all personnel adhere to the approved operational procedures required for responding to CHRI requests.

4.  All agencies shall ensure that requests for CHRI, and responses to requests for CHRI, are for legitimate purposes.

5.  All agencies requesting CHRI or responding to requests for CHRI shall comply with the U.S. Department of Justice Rules and Regulations as they relate to completeness, accuracy, and the dissemination of CHRI.

6.  All agencies shall comply with the policies and procedures for the interstate exchange of CHRI as set forth in this section.

7.  Any electronic device that uses wireless or radio technology to transmit data may be used for the transmission of criminal history record information when an officer determines there is an immediate need for this information to further an investigation or there is a situation affecting the safety of an officer or the general public.  (This may include radios, fax machines, etc.)

8.  A facsimile machine may be used to transmit CHRI information provided that both agencies involved have an Originating Agency Identifier (ORI) authorized to receive criminal history information.   The facsimile machine must be located in a secure area. As not all facsimile machines are monitored continually, the receiving agency should be notified prior to transmitting the information.  This will ensure proper retrieval of information.