SD4 - The Criminal History Records Improvement Task Force


Executive Summary:
The importance of criminal history records cannot be overstated. These records impact every level of the criminal justice system. They are used for decision-making in police investigations, bail, sentencing, for enhanced penalties, probation and parole, and, more frequently in the last few years, for background checks for the private sector.

It is important that criminal history records be complete, accurate and timely if they are to meet these varied needs. With the passage of "three strikes and you're out" legislation the availability of complete, accurate and timely criminal history records looms as an officer safety issue. The criminal knows how many felony convictions he has; it is imperative that the officer knows.