NCJ Number
189630
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 28 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2001 Pages: 158-162
Editor(s)
Donna Rogers
Date Published
July 2001
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article examines one system for data sharing among law enforcement agencies.
Abstract
The Open Software Solutions Inc. P2P Data Exchange System uses the Internet as a communication infrastructure to allow authorized users to access data from any location with a Web browser and an Internet connection. Currently, P2P users can query names, vehicles, pawn transactions, and property. Information returned to the user can include mugshots, full demographic data, residence and employment information, outstanding warrants, and prior arrests. Database records are never exported to another system, and no agency ever has a direct connection to any other agency's database. The P2P protects each agency's autonomy, system security, and database integrity. One of the major benefits of the P2P system is access to real-time information. In the past, getting information from another agency usually involved a phone call or a personal visit. The P2P system puts the data online, making it easier to access and thus more likely to be used. In addition, because the software uses the Internet, the database can be accessed anytime.