Hoeven: Department of Justice to Enhance Tribal Access to National Crime Information Databases

Press Release

Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, today announced that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched the initial phase of the Tribal Access Program for National Crime Information (TAP) to allow tribes to access national crime information databases for criminal and civil purposes.

"The Tribal Access Program for National Crime Information will help tribal law enforcement access databases that are critical to helping solve crimes and keeping law enforcement officers and communities safe," Hoeven said. "This is a good tool that will empower tribes to enhance public safety, assist victims of crime and ultimately help to keep tribal communities safe. I will continue working to strengthen public safety in our state and make sure that all North Dakotans, whether living on or off a reservation, reside in safe and healthy communities."

TAP will help tribes analyze their needs for national crime information and assist them in finding appropriate solutions, including a state-of-the-art biometric/biographic computer workstation that can process finger and palm prints, take mugshots and submit records to national databases, as well as enable them to access Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) systems through the DOJ.

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