LD36 - Information Systems Q&A
California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) - =A high speed message
computer network of local, state, & federal databases & systems. It provides all law enforcement
user agencies with the
capability of obtaining info directly from state & federal computerized information files, & is
maintained by the California Department of Justice.
Data - =means a representation of organized information, knowledge, facts, or concepts collected
for a specific purpose. One form of data is the information
stored in the memory of a computer or presented on a display device. A collection of like or
related data is referred to as a database.
Access - =means to gain entry to, instruct, or communicate with the resources of a computer, a
computer system, or a computer network.
State System/Database - =• Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS),
• Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
National System/Database - =• National Crime Information Center (NCIC),
• National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS)
Other System/Database - =• Oregon Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS),
• Canadian Police Information Center (CPIC)
Information inquiries - =Circumstances where an inquiry into the CLETS may be necessary can
include, but are not limited to:
• locating information on lost, stolen, or recovered property including vehicles.
• conducting a preliminary or ongoing criminal investigation.
• identifying prior criminal history records.
• verifying the validity of a restraining order.
,• verifying the validity of a driver's license, vehicle registration, vessel registration, or
occupational license.
• determining if a person is wanted for outstanding warrants.
• determining the status of a person on parole or probation.
• reporting or locating a missing person.
Administrative messages - =CLETS provides a fast & efficient system for the transmission of
"free text," or administrative messages to other agencies within the state.
All CLETS messages are confidential & for official use only. Messages should be brief &
concise. Examples of uses of administrative messages via the CLETS network include:
• requests for record validation,
• requests for prisoner pickup & transportation,
• notices such as law enforcement related meetings, training, or seminar announcements,
• requests for mail-back information from databases, or,
• information regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of an officer killed in the line of
duty.
Terminal Mnemonic (MNE) - =is the four-character address
(terminal name) assigned by the DOJ/CLETS.
All Points Bulletin (APB) - =Admin message that is distributed or received via CLETS to law
enforcement agencies in the state. APB may include, but are not limited to:
• major identifiable property items,
• crimes against persons (e.g., murder, rape, etc.) when the suspect's mode of operation or vehicle
can be described sufficiently,
• missing persons or "be on the look out" warnings involving life or death situations,
emergencies, or suspected foul play,
• acts of nature affecting public safety or law enforcement capabilities, or
• death or funeral notices of personnel on active status killed in the line of duty.
NOTE: Notifications of runaway juveniles, misdemeanor offenses, traffic warrants, or
recruitment information are not appropriate for APBs.
, Department of Justice Requirements - =Compliance with the privacy and security provisions of
state law and the Department of Justice regulations based on state law are essential to
maintaining the integrity and security of the information available to peace officers.
Authorized access - =Individuals authorized physical access to CLETS terminal may be:
• sworn law enforcement personnel,
• non-sworn law enforcement personnel, or
• technical or maintenance personnel (noncriminal justice personnel and private vendors).
Authorized users are subject to a background investigation. Background investigations include:
- California Department of Justice fingerprint checks, and
- Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint checks (if applicable).
Mobile access - =Mobile Digital Terminals (MDTs), cellular telephones, or radio transmissions
should not be used routinely for the transmission of criminal history information. These
transmissions by unsecured wireless devices can be intercepted by unauthorized people.
However, details of criminal history information may be transmitted in such a manner if an
officer determines:
• there is reasonable cause to believe the safety of the officer and/or the public is at significant
risk, and,
• there is an immediate need for summary criminal history information, and
• information from other databases (e.g., Wanted Persons, Stolen Vehicles) would not be
adequate.
Confidentiality - =All members of the criminal justice system have a responsibility to the public
of California, the law enforcement community, & each individual's
own agency to protect the Confidentiality of the information accessible through the CLETS
network.
Unauthorized access or misuse of CLETS information can lead to:
• disciplinary action,
California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) - =A high speed message
computer network of local, state, & federal databases & systems. It provides all law enforcement
user agencies with the
capability of obtaining info directly from state & federal computerized information files, & is
maintained by the California Department of Justice.
Data - =means a representation of organized information, knowledge, facts, or concepts collected
for a specific purpose. One form of data is the information
stored in the memory of a computer or presented on a display device. A collection of like or
related data is referred to as a database.
Access - =means to gain entry to, instruct, or communicate with the resources of a computer, a
computer system, or a computer network.
State System/Database - =• Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS),
• Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
National System/Database - =• National Crime Information Center (NCIC),
• National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS)
Other System/Database - =• Oregon Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS),
• Canadian Police Information Center (CPIC)
Information inquiries - =Circumstances where an inquiry into the CLETS may be necessary can
include, but are not limited to:
• locating information on lost, stolen, or recovered property including vehicles.
• conducting a preliminary or ongoing criminal investigation.
• identifying prior criminal history records.
• verifying the validity of a restraining order.
,• verifying the validity of a driver's license, vehicle registration, vessel registration, or
occupational license.
• determining if a person is wanted for outstanding warrants.
• determining the status of a person on parole or probation.
• reporting or locating a missing person.
Administrative messages - =CLETS provides a fast & efficient system for the transmission of
"free text," or administrative messages to other agencies within the state.
All CLETS messages are confidential & for official use only. Messages should be brief &
concise. Examples of uses of administrative messages via the CLETS network include:
• requests for record validation,
• requests for prisoner pickup & transportation,
• notices such as law enforcement related meetings, training, or seminar announcements,
• requests for mail-back information from databases, or,
• information regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of an officer killed in the line of
duty.
Terminal Mnemonic (MNE) - =is the four-character address
(terminal name) assigned by the DOJ/CLETS.
All Points Bulletin (APB) - =Admin message that is distributed or received via CLETS to law
enforcement agencies in the state. APB may include, but are not limited to:
• major identifiable property items,
• crimes against persons (e.g., murder, rape, etc.) when the suspect's mode of operation or vehicle
can be described sufficiently,
• missing persons or "be on the look out" warnings involving life or death situations,
emergencies, or suspected foul play,
• acts of nature affecting public safety or law enforcement capabilities, or
• death or funeral notices of personnel on active status killed in the line of duty.
NOTE: Notifications of runaway juveniles, misdemeanor offenses, traffic warrants, or
recruitment information are not appropriate for APBs.
, Department of Justice Requirements - =Compliance with the privacy and security provisions of
state law and the Department of Justice regulations based on state law are essential to
maintaining the integrity and security of the information available to peace officers.
Authorized access - =Individuals authorized physical access to CLETS terminal may be:
• sworn law enforcement personnel,
• non-sworn law enforcement personnel, or
• technical or maintenance personnel (noncriminal justice personnel and private vendors).
Authorized users are subject to a background investigation. Background investigations include:
- California Department of Justice fingerprint checks, and
- Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint checks (if applicable).
Mobile access - =Mobile Digital Terminals (MDTs), cellular telephones, or radio transmissions
should not be used routinely for the transmission of criminal history information. These
transmissions by unsecured wireless devices can be intercepted by unauthorized people.
However, details of criminal history information may be transmitted in such a manner if an
officer determines:
• there is reasonable cause to believe the safety of the officer and/or the public is at significant
risk, and,
• there is an immediate need for summary criminal history information, and
• information from other databases (e.g., Wanted Persons, Stolen Vehicles) would not be
adequate.
Confidentiality - =All members of the criminal justice system have a responsibility to the public
of California, the law enforcement community, & each individual's
own agency to protect the Confidentiality of the information accessible through the CLETS
network.
Unauthorized access or misuse of CLETS information can lead to:
• disciplinary action,
