FY 2017 Maine NCHIP

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 2017 NCHIP priority areas, the Maine Department of Public Safety (MDPS), Maine State Police (MSP), State Bureau of Identification (SBI) will use NCHIP funds for three projects: 1) the purchase and installation of a new AFIS System; 2) Replace Livescan devices; and 3) Overtime to process backlog of fingerprint cards.

AFIS Purchase: The SBI is part of a Tri-state AFIS system with New Hampshire and Vermont’s State Police Identification Bureaus. The three state’s share one AFIS system which is currently outdated and failing. Prior NCHIP funds in FY2015 were used towards the AFIS project but initial negotiations between the three states delayed the process; however, the three states have agreed on the requirements and been progressing with the project for new Tri-state AFIS system. The SBI has negotiated with the current vendor on a 10-year payment plan for a new NGI-compatible, NCIC compatible AFIS. The NCHIP funds will assist Maine in the purchase of the AFIS by funding the next payment of the plan. Further activities for the new AFIS project includes: developing the new system to be web-based; conducting system testing with users; deploying the system to “go-live”; and a continual monitoring and evaluating of the system as it moves forward.

Livescan Replacement: Currently, the state has approximately 23 outdated and failing Livescans located across the state that need to be replaced. The SBI will use NCHIP funds to replace 10 Livescans at identified locations. The locations are the 10 highest priority Livescans that need to be replaced based on average fingerprints submissions each year plus the geographical location of the devices. The eight county jails identified are: Hancock, York, Kennebec, Penobscot, Knox, Somerset, Androscoggin, and Aroostook with the City of Biddeford’s police department and Two-Bridges Regional jail also receiving new Livescans. The upgrade in Livescans across the state will ensure a more efficient and effective processing of fingerprint and information on the state and federal level, including qualifying records submitted to the NICS.

Overtime for Backlog of Fingerprint Cards: There are approximately 70,000+ cards that need additional processing which also involves the matching of fingerprint cards to waiting dispositions so they can be processed and reported to the FBI. The overtime staff will first focus on processing felonies, domestic violence charges, and sex offenses. SBI will provide quarterly updates that will include the number of cards processed, the hours worked, and the percentage of completion. The project will provide a more complete criminal history repository in addition to reporting the criminal history information to the FBI.

(CA/NCF)