The CRIP report serves as a guideline document and vision for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Over the past 5 years, Massachusetts has made great strides in improving its criminal justice information system. It is expected that with the procurement of the new Commonwealth AFIS, the identification services provided to the municipal police departments will greatly improve. Concluding, it is important that all of us understand that the III is a national system that all police departments and criminal justice agencies may take advantage of. Please remember that it's only as effective as we make it.
States are dependent on each other to make sure the files are updated and accurate.
The implementation of the III is of paramount importance to the Commonwealth. The inherent nationwide criminal offender data that the III will provide will be an invaluable resource for the cities and towns of the Commonwealth. Failure to implement III will not only reduce or eliminate our ability to access accurate criminal history records, but the federal grants that cities and towns currently receive under the Byrne Program, may be in jeopardy until the Commonwealth meets this mandate.