Timely Entry

The policy for timely entry of records was written to maximize effectiveness and to ensure officer and public safety while increasing the likelihood of apprehending a wanted person or locating the person/property in question. This need for timely entry transcends the local level. In our mobile society, where systems and databases are increasingly being linked to each other by the needs of law enforcement to know more and make better informed decisions, the timely entry of records has become more critical.

The policy affects the timely entry assessment of records in all files. To ensure maximum System effectiveness, records must be entered immediately when the conditions for entry are met, not to exceed three days upon receipt by the entering agency. The only exceptions to immediate entry are when otherwise prescribed by federal law or when documentation exists to support delayed entry.

When agencies receive a warrant or report for entry, the date and time of receipt should be documented by the agency. In cases where the warrant or report date of receipt for entry are undocumented, the assessment of timely entry will be a joint evaluation by the audit staff and local agency personnel. A warrant or report will be considered entered in a timely manner when entered within three days of the documented date and time of receipt.