The California Justice Information System (CJIS), managed by DOJ, and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), maintained by the FBI, are computerized information systems established as a service to all law enforcement agencies. Their objectives are to improve the effectiveness of law enforcement through the efficient handling and exchange of documented police information.
The following types of information are currently contained in these two systems:
- Identifiable vehicles, vehicle parts and license plates;
- Identifiable firearms;
- Identifiable property;
- Wanted persons;
- Missing persons;
- Stolen boat and boat parts; and
- Identifiable securities.
The information in these systems is contributed by law enforcement agencies. Members of this Department shall ensure that information is entered into the appropriate data base as discussed below.
- CJIS Automated Boat System (ABS) and NCIC Stolen Boat File:
- The types of identifiable boat and boat parts which shall be entered are:
- Stolen;
- Lost;
- Repossessed;
- Embezzled; and
- Stored.
NCIC does not allow entry of boat parts or trailers; it only allows entry of stolen and embezzled boats.
- CJIS Automated Firearm System (AFS) and NCIC Gun File:
- The types of identifiable firearms which shall be entered are:
- Stolen;
- Evidence;
- Found;
- Lost;
- Under observation;
- Institutional registration;
- Destroyed;
- Buy;
- Pawn;
- Consignment;
- Serial numbers assigned;
- Serial numbers restored;
- Voluntary registration
- Sold at auction.
NCIC only allows entry of stolen and found firearms.
- CJIS Automated Property/Stolen Bicycle System (APS) and NCIC Article File:
- The types of identifiable property which shall be entered are:
- Stolen;
- Lost;
- Found;
- Under observation;
- Evidence;
- Pawn; and
- Buy.
NCIC will not accept stolen credit cards.
- CJIS Stolen Vehicle System (SVS) and NCIC Stolen Vehicle/License Plate File:
- The types of identifiable vehicle, vehicle parts and license plates which shall be entered are:
- Stolen;
- Lost;
- Stored;
- Repossessed;
- Impounded;
- Felony vehicle;
- Wanted person vehicle;
- Missing person vehicle; and
- Recovered.
NCIC allows entry of stolen vehicles, vehicle parts, license plates and felony vehicles only.
- NCIC Securities File:
- The types of identifiable securities that shall be entered are:
- Stolen;
- Embezzled;
- Counterfeit; and
- Missing.
Personal notes, checks, credit cards or coins cannot be entered into NCIC. A definition of securities may be found in the NCIC Manual.
- NCIC Missing Person File:
- The types of missing persons that shall be entered are:
- Missing under proven physical/mental disability;
- Circumstances indicating physical safety in danger;
- Senile;
- Disappearance not voluntary; and
- Unemancipated juveniles.
- Wanted Persons
- NCIC Wanted Persons File - contains information regarding persons with outstanding federal warrants, warrants for felonies or serious misdemeanors. The Wanted Persons File is a pointer system only. The contributing agency must be contacted to verify the validity of the warrant. Contributing agencies must be willing to extradite the person from at least one state other than the contributing agency's state.
- Wanted Person System (WPS) - maintains information on persons for whom an arrest warrant has been, or will be, issued within 48 hours. The warrant may be for felony or misdemeanor charges or any bench warrant. WPS is a pointer system only and the contributing agency must be contacted to verify the validity of the warrant. WPS requires that contributing agencies be willing to extradite the person if he is apprehended.