2019 Virginia State Police 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 2019 NCHIP priority area 1, for updating and automating case outcomes in state records and the FBI’s Criminal History File, the Virginia State Police (VSP) will conduct three projects to contribute information to the NICS. Specifically, 1) determinations of lawful possession of firearms and the issuance of nonresident concealed handgun permits; 2) research felony and misdemeanor arrests to obtain and record missing disposition records in the CCH system; and 3) continued enhancements to the JAVA based Computerized Criminal History System (JCCH).

1) Nonresident Concealed Handgun Permit Issuance Assistance: VSP will hire a Senior Program Support Technician to perform the duties and responsibilities associated with the lawful possession of firearm and the issuance of nonresident concealed handgun permits, with an emphasis on analyzing criminal history records and subsequent research in compliance with state and federal firearms related laws. The position will share determinations of ineligibility with the NICS personnel as appropriate or directly enter the records of disqualifications into the NICS Indices. The work will consist of contacting local, state and federal agencies, to examine documents, verbal and telecommunications and make a sound determination as to whether or not the specific information conforms to existing legal provisions relative to lawful possession of a firearm. The project will upgrade the quality of records maintained in the state and federal systems accessed by all users of the NICS Index.

2) Research and Resolve Missing Dispositions: VSP will employ 2 contractors to research felony and misdemeanor arrests to obtain and record missing court disposition records in the CCH System. The project activities include: research with the courts and locate missing criminal disposition information; apply disposition information to the computerized criminal history and electronically archive source documents; send disposition information to the FBI CJIS Division for FBI criminal record update; automate non-computerized criminal history information that is kept on microfiche; verify automated criminal history information with microfiche source document; send out reports requesting missing fingerprint based offense information to criminal justice agencies; verify, apply and electronically archive missing criminal disposition information received from VSP CJIS sections.

3) JCCH Enhancements: VSP will continue to provide a business analyst (BA) responsible for the oversight, operations, and requirements of the of the replacement JCCH system. This function is critical to ensuring that arrest and disposition information is applied accurately to the criminal record and that data is accurately transmitted to NICS and other federal and law enforcement databases. Primary responsibilities of the BA include collecting and drafting JCCH system requirements related to program gaps, deficiencies and enhancements; analyzing and documenting JCCH system defects; provide system requirements; identify and draft system requirements related to changes in legislation and regulations; and work with the courts to provide guidance on disposition reporting.

(CA/NCF)