Kansas Bureau of Investigation Testing Portable AFIS Scanners
Over the next year the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) will test 60 portable fingerprint scanners as part of a bigger $3.6 million upgrade to the KBI's statewide Automatic Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) database. The gadget allows officers to identify people by fingerprints without hauling them to the police station.
Benita Y. Williams, “Pulled over in Kansas? Get ready to show your license, registration and fingerprints,” The Kansas City (Mo.) Star, 22 March 2006
Vermont State Police Test New Communications System
U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy visited the Rutland State Police Barracks on March 22 to witness a demonstration of a new state police communication system. Since 2001, Leahy has secured $2.5 million for the Mobile Data and Remote Computing Project, to help the state police link patrolling troopers, their barracks and communication centers using laptop computers and state-of-the art software.
“Senator Sees First Hand How Leahy-Funded Communications System Makes State Troopers More Prepared For Incidents,” U.S. Senate press release, 22 March 2006, online at http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200603/032206.html
Alabama County Gets Cruiser Laptops
The last of 36 laptop computers have been installed in
Ginny MacDonald, “Shelby patrol cars equipped with laptops,” Birmingham (Ala.) News, 16 March 2006: 1A
NASCIO Releases Brief on National Information Exchange Model
The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), representing the chief information officers (CIOs) of the states, has released a brief on the National Information Exchange Model (NIEM), which promises to be one of the most significant enablers of governmental collaborative information exchange. The brief, A National Framework for Collaborative Information Exchange: What is NIEM?, both summarizes the intention of this national initiative and provides guidance on participation in this effort.
"NASCIO Releases Brief on National Information Exchange Model," NASCIO press release, 14 March 2006, online at http://www.nascio.org/pressReleases/060314.cfm
DHS Seeks to Improve Dealings with State Fusion Centers
Homeland Security Department officials have begun to place intelligence analysts at fusion centers established by state and local governments to facilitate coordination among the federal, state and local governments. The move is part of a larger program in which a team of DHS analysts will be placed at every intelligence fusion center, while state and local governments send their analysts to work at DHS headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Dibya Sarkar, "DHS adds brainpower to intelligence centers," Federal Computer Week, 14 March 2006, online at http://www.fcw.com/article92600-03-14-06-Web
Biometric Tests by West Virginia National Guard
Iris-scanning identification technology produced through the U.S. Department of Defense's Biometrics Fusion Center in Clarksburg, W.V. is being used to control access to key offices in the West Virginia National Guard's headquarters building. Fingerprint-scanning gear is being used to control access to the National Guard's Operations Center on a trial basis to test the reliability and durability of the equipment.
Rick Steelhammer, “Guard testing biometric ID gear,” Charleston (W.V.) Gazette, 17 March 2006: 1A
