New system to streamline criminal information now in planning stage

The Criminal Justice Planning Agency is gearing up to apply for a grant to develop the CNMI’s very own Criminal Justice Information Systems, a system that would streamline vital criminal information that will be accessible to all law enforcement agencies in the CNMI.

The CJPA met with local broadband networks and law enforcement agencies last Wednesday for a preliminary discussion about the establishment of the CJIS.

According to CJPA member Anthony Torres, who also chairs the CJIS grant project, although the project is still in the discussion phase, establishing CJIS would be a game changer for the CNMI.

“It’s crucial in our Commonwealth for something like that to be implemented. For the Department of Corrections specifically, it’s going to help with inmate management, biometric identification, criminal history, communication, and information sharing between all law enforcement agencies in the Commonwealth. Not just in the Commonwealth, but also branching out to Guam, Hawaii, and the rest of the mainland. As an example, if someone tried to come out here to flee arrest, with the CJIS system we would know right off the bat that there is a warrant out for their arrest. It would also help with compliance and reporting so this CJIS is huge for the CNMI,” he said.

Torres said CJPA and its partners are currently in the process of developing a plan for the establishment of CJIS.

“Right now, we’re gathering all the information technology specialists together to formulate a game plan and do an inventory of our needs to get an application together and apply for this grant,” he said.

Ultimately, Torres said, the CJIS would help further protect the CNMI community, while holding accountable those who need to be held accountable.

“Imagine, as an example, that someone gets pulled over and [the police] run their ID. The police would know immediately that person’s rap sheet. It could prevent instances where wanted individuals are able to flee the island. Having something like CJIS could mitigate all that. At the end of the day, it’s protecting the community and holding people accountable,” he said.

Criminal Justice Information Systems

Anthony Torres