This report describes the features and implementation logistics of the Criminal Research Information Management Evaluation System (CRIMES), which is an innovative records management system (RMS) model developed to offset the cost and meet the RMS needs of smaller law enforcement agencies,
This comprehensive system is fee-based, with annual fees ranging from $15,000 to $75,000 plus, depending on the size of the population the agency services. A table shows the annual fees for various jurisdictional sizes. CRIMES was developed in response to a request for such a system from Texas police chiefs who were dissatisfied with the systems and technology available. Sam Houston State University's College of Criminal Justice was asked to develop the system because of its history of involvement in criminal justice education, training, and technical assistance. The development of CRIMES began in 1995 and had 11 subscribing agencies by 2001. After modifying some of its features, CRIMES has experienced steady subscriber expansion. A total of 20 application modules are available in CRIMES. Its configuration includes core modules, support components, analytics components, and management tools. CRIMES uses the Microsoft Windows operating systems, along with several Microsoft Office components. It was designed for ease of access and operation by local personnel in smaller agencies. The configuration, core modules, components, and reports are described in this report. Agency requirements, staffing, and future directions for police agencies are also discussed. In addition to its relevance for small police agencies, this report also describes how CRIMES can be used in the management of community supervision and prison operations.