5/6/24
Datamaxx Outage
There is a Datamaxx outage affecting their users throughout the state. There is currently no ETA on a resolution. Once the connection has been restored, an additional notification will go out.
Thanks,
SLED NCIC
5/2/24
SLED CJIS Survey
SLED CJIS sent a survey to the TACs and ATACs to better the assistance that we can to our agency partners. Please provide as much information as possible. The survey is active from now until 5/16 at 9 AM. If you are the TAC or ATAC for your agency and did not receive a link to the survey, please let me know and I will send it to you directly.
Thanks,
Justin Banghart
jbanghart@sled.sc.gov
5/1/24
New TAC/ATAC Training added for June 18-19
We have added another New TAC/ATAC training for June 18-19. Please keep in mind that this class is designed for TACs and ATACs that are new to the role.
3/20/24
SLED Connectivity Issues
SLED is aware of some connectivity issues that may be occurring as a result of the technical updates implemented yesterday evening. This may also affect some CAD systems, latent workstations, and Livescan machines. If your agency is experiencing issues and you have not already contacted the SLED Help Desk, please contact them at (803) 896-8588. We appreciate your patience as we work to resolve these issues.
3/13/24
Email Addresses for Microsoft Invite
Moving forward, personal emails will no longer be accepted for Microsoft invites to the nexTEST system. Users must have a government or agency assigned email address. If those options are not available, users can go to https://www.cjis.gov/ and select Apply for Account to receive an account to the Law Enforcement Enterprise Portal (LEEP). Once the account information is received, the user can use the @leo.gov email address provided to receive the Microsoft invite. If you have any questions, please let me know.
Justin Banghart
NCIC Manager
jbanghart@sled.sc.gov
2/26/24
Invites for CJIS Launch Pad
The Microsoft invites for the CJIS Launch Pad system are now
conducted automatically. The invites are set to go out every morning at 3 AM. The
invites are based on the email address entered in the user's nexTEST profile,
so please ensure that the email address field is filled out and correct. There
may still be some instances where the user needs their invitation manually sent.
If the user does not receive their invitation automatically, please send a
request as you normally would and our unit will attempt to resolve the issue.
1/24/24
New TAC/ATAC Training Classes
The New TAC/ATAC Training classes have been added to Class Management in nexTEST. If you sign up for a class and are unable to attend, please email ncic@sled.sc.gov so that we can remove your name from the roster and open the slot up for someone else.
6/22/23
LEMS.Web Deprecation Memo
A memo concerning LEMS.Web was sent out to the TACs via email and placed in CJIS Documents. If you have any questions concerning the contents of the memo, please contact CJIS_Access@sled.sc.gov or (803) 896-4341.
Following the recent LEMS.Web Deprecation memo dated June
19, 2023, SLED has received numerous calls and emails from agencies, and we
wanted to take the opportunity to address the primary concerns that have been
presented:
SLED
will no longer be adding any new connections or user elements to
the LEMS.Web system after July 17, 2023.
The
existing connections and user elements that were established prior to
July 17, 2023 will not be impacted.
As
SLED is gradually phasing out LEMS.Web, all existing connections will
eventually be removed but we are not at that point yet. When the
time comes, SLED will provide notice to, and be in contact with, the
impacted agencies prior to removing existing LEMS.Web connections.
Agencies
who access the Law Enforcement Message Switch (LEMS) via Datamaxx will not
be impacted by this in any way.
SLED
has also heard from many agencies pleading special needs or circumstances
beyond July 17th. These concerns are being discussed and any
decision impacting user agencies will be communicated in as timely a
manner as possible.
We will communicate more information on the replacement system as it becomes available. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
3/20/23
CJIS Memos Concerning Security Awareness and ORI Usage by External Entities
Two memos were sent out today to agency TACs concerning Security Awareness and ORI usage by external agencies. In addition to being sent via email, this memos have also been added to CJIS Documents, under the NCIC Policies and Procedures folder. If you are an agency TAC and did not receive the email, please let me know so that we can verify your contact information on our distribution list.
Thanks,
Justin Banghart
NCIC Manager
(803) 896-3875
12/30/2022
NICS Denied Transaction Link and Pin Communication
In support of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022
(hereinafter "Act"), public law 117-159, the National Instant Criminal
Background Check System (NICS) Section is conducting additional outreach for
NICS background checks initiated at a federal firearms licensee when the
potential firearm transferee is under the age of 21. The additional
outreach is to determine if the person has juvenile criminal/delinquency
information or juvenile mental health adjudications or commitments that may be
disqualifying for the receipt or possession of firearms under subsection (d) of
Title 18, United States Code, section 922. The Act directs NICS to
immediately contact the criminal history repository or juvenile justice
information system, as well as the appropriate state custodian of mental health
adjudication information where the person resides. In addition, the legislation
requires NICS to contact local law enforcement agencies of the jurisdiction in
which the person resides.
In order to meet security requirements and simplify the
process for agencies responding to U21 requests, NICS is implementing a
"link and pin" method that will be deployed by early January
2023. A few states will see this method ahead of schedule during the
testing stage of implementation. This method will provide agencies
with a secure link and access pin that will be embedded within the contact
preference chosen by the respective agency for receiving U21 requests
(generally NCIC $.H notification for law enforcement and email for juvenile and
mental health points of contact). If the agency's terminal supports
browser access, the user will simply click on the link. If not, the
link will need to be copied into a web browser.
Once the link is
accessed, the user will need to enter the pin provided in the body of the
initial request. The user will then be taken directly into a secure
section of the NICS application, where they will be prompted to enter a
response. If potential disqualifying information is available for
the subject in question, the "Records/Information found" button
should be selected. Comments may be entered into the text box and
documentation may be added as an attachment to support any information
found. Additional options are available to the user for providing an
immediate response, including indication that another agency should be
contacted. In addition, there are separate options to indicate a response
cannot be provided due to state law prohibiting the sharing of juvenile data
and that a search was conducted for the subject and there was no record
found.
Should you have any questions concerning this communication,
please contact the NICS Business Relations Team at nicsliason@fbi.gov.
9/28/22
Peak Performance Maintenance and Upgrades Complete
The maintenance and upgrades of all Peak Performance systems are now complete.
Changes have been made to the NCIC Inquiry Online process to ensure that users complete both the NCIC Inquiry Online Security Awareness test as well as the NCIC Inquiry Online Certification course and test. As a reminder, once the Level 3 Training and the NCIC Inquiry Online Security Awareness Test has been completed, users have a twenty-four hour period in which they can initiate and complete the NCIC Inquiry Online Certification course and test.
The system will no longer generate a certificate for completion of the NCIC Inquiry Online Security Awareness test. This should help to alleviate any confusion by users that would receive the certificate for the Security Awareness portion and believe the entire course was completed.
In addition, a mandatory question has been added to the NCIC Inquiry Online Security Awareness test in which the user must acknowledge that they are to continue on to the NCIC Inquiry Online Certification course and test.
Lastly, the test notification for the NCIC Inquiry Online Security Awareness test also informs the user that they must, upon completion of that test, continue to the NCIC Inquiry Online Certification course and test.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Thanks,
Justin Banghart
NCIC Manager
(803) 896-3875
jbanghart@sled.sc.gov
9/21/2022
NICS Denial Transaction
The FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) processes firearm background checks on all firearm sales in South Carolina. When a purchaser is prohibited and subsequently denied the possession or transfer of a firearm, this information is provided to ATF's Denial Enforcement and NICS Intelligence (DENI) Branch nightly, as well as to state fusion centers, FBI field offices, and to criminal justice agencies running a NICS Denied Transaction in NCIC (QND). An additional method of notification was passed in March of this year, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, and some of the details are below.
Passed by Congress on March 15, 2022, as part of the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization. Effective October 1, 2022; however, notifications will begin September 26, 2022.
FBI NICS must report, within 24 hours, to local law enforcement where the person sought to acquire the firearm, and if different, the law enforcement agency of the person's residence.
Notifications will be sent via NCIC $.H unsolicited message to the criminal justice agency(s) in the zip code of purchase and residence. If your agency services other agency(s) for NCIC purposes, you will receive multiple messages for the same denial, as the notification is sent to the ORI.
If your agency receives a notice in error, please report that information to the SLED POC below.
Deconfliction with local ATF and other notified agencies prior to taking action. Those agency phone numbers will be included in the notifications.
The Act only requires notification to be made to the local authority. No requirement of action is expressed in the language.
The notification will provide the prohibiting category for the denial, ex. fugitive from justice, drugs, mental health, MCDV, etc.
If the denial is overturned due to additional information provided to NICS, a notice will be sent to the same agencies notified of the original denial.
A flyer created by the FBI for the NICS Denial Notification Act has been uploaded to CJIS Documents under TAC Forms - Documents - Information. If any additional information is needed or any training regarding this notice or FBI NICS, please contact Lynn Rolin, South Carolina NICS POC, at (803) 206-4001 or lrolin@sled.sc.gov.
6/20/2022
Update to NCIC COVID-19 Guidance
On March 30, 2020, the FBI CJIS Division provided COVID-19 guidance regarding NCIC Wanted Person records and locate procedures. This update is to inform NCIC users the aforementioned COVID-19 guidance is no longer applicable. Current NCIC policies and procedures should be followed regarding extradition and the placement of Locate messages.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Justin Banghart
NCIC Manager
(803) 896-3875
jbanghart@sled.sc.gov
6/15/22
LEMS.Web Compatibility for Microsoft Edge
As most of you are already aware, Microsoft will end its
support for Internet Explorer (IE) 11 effective June 15, 2022. This initially
caused several concerns as SLED's NCIC application, LEMS.Web, has historically
relied upon IE.
In order to continue to utilize LEMS.Web, please enable the
IE compatibility mode in Microsoft Edge. IE mode enables backward compatibility
and will be supported through at least 2029. You can use the following link for
step-by-step instructions on implementation https://allthings.how/how-to-use-compatibility-mode-in-microsoft-edge/.
This should alleviate any immediate concerns and ensure the continued use of
Lems.Web.
Should you have any additional questions or concerns please
contact your agency LASO or the SLED Help Desk at (803) 896-8588.
Justin Banghart
(803) 896-3875
jbanghart@sled.sc.gov
5/13/22
Civil Fingerprint Packet Information
The following information was discussed in the civil fingerprint packet training video, located in CJIS Documents, but is being reiterated due to some common issues seen in civil fingerprint packets being submitted to SLED:
Only the second page of the Employee Non-Disclosure Agreement needs to be submitted to SLED. The first page is for instructional purposes only.
The packet must include a copy of the individual's government-issued photo identification. This includes a driver's license, identification card, passport, or CWP card.
The acceptable reasons to put in the Reason Fingerprint section of the fingerprint card are Contingent Hire, Security Awareness, or NCIC.
Please ensure that the information on the fingerprint card and the information on the Non-Disclosure Agreement match.
SLED documents are to be completed and sent in without any modifications. SLED documents that have content changed, removed, or added will not be accepted.
If you have any questions, please contact the SLED NCIC Unit at ncic@sled.sc.gov.
3/3/2022
NDA Helpful Hints
In addition to the training that was released February 25,
SLED CJIS would like to provide you with some follow-up information based on
NDA submissions we have received:
The first page of the
NDA packet is for instructional purposes only and cannot be filled out
online. The second page is the fillable form and what must be sent in as
part of the civil fingerprint packet.
Under the Intended
Certification/Training Level section, you should select either NCIC
Certification - nexTEST or Security Awareness Training - CJIS Online. The
only exception would be IT personnel who need both NCIC certification and
Level 4 Security Awareness training.
For employees of the
city/county/town that are contracted by your agency to perform services,
such as custodial, maintenance, IT support, etc., they would need to be
submitted on the red Vendor/Contractor NDA.
In addition to these NDA helpful hints, we have noticed that
several agencies are placing their vendors/contractors under their own agency
in CJIS Online as opposed to entering them in under the company name as a
vendor. Adding them under the vendor side will not only assist SLED with not
having potential duplicate profiles for the same person under multiple agencies
in the system but will also help agencies across the state if that individual
has already been entered under the vendor side by another agency. If you have
any questions about this process, please contact Madelynn McCarty at mmccarty@sled.sc.gov.
Thanks,
SLED NCIC Unit
ncic@sled.sc.gov
2/25/22
SLED Civil Fingerprint Process Training Video
SLED has published the virtual training for the civil fingerprint process. It can be accessed in CJIS Documents, under TAC Forms - Documents - Information, Civil Fingerprint Process.
The video mentions a test in nexTEST to take after the completion of the training. That test should be located for TACs and ATACs under the Other Certification section. If you are a TAC/ATAC and did not receive this test, please email us and let us know so that we can assign that test to you.
SLED NCIC Unit
(803) 896-7586
ncic@sled.sc.gov
2/8/2022
SLED-CJIS Civil/Applicant Processing
We
have created new Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA) that are color-coded to simplify things on the user agency and SLED-CJIS. The green color is to be used by authorized
recipients and is for noncriminal justice agencies. The red color is for all
vendors/contractors regardless of the agency.
Law enforcement agencies use blue for contingent employment and
employees requiring security awareness or NCIC training.
SLED-CJIS has the NCJIS Unit, which
handles authorized recipient (AR) state agencies and vendors/contractors for all
agencies. SLED-CJIS is in the process of
automating a portion of the civil/applicant fingerprint process to ease the
processing turnaround further.
SLED-CJIS
will process fingerprint cards for employment fingerprints once the individual
is in the hiring process, and the final offer is contingent on the individual's
record. These packets are handled
differently in our office to expedite the return of the information. Please indicate the appropriate block on the
NDA and the fingerprint card under "reason fingerprinted" as contingent
hiring.
For all other packets sent to
SLED-CJIS, please indicate under "reason fingerprinted" as either security
awareness (SA) or National Crime Information Center
(NCIC) certification. As you know,
security awareness is for all personnel who have access to criminal justice
information (CJA), including all personnel who have unescorted access to a
physical location where CJA is being processed or stored.
These
new NDAs will be released in NexTest for use.
Please remember to check Nextest for updated forms and information. SLED CJIS will offer virtual training in
February for all TACs and vendors' points of contact (POC) on these new forms
and answer any questions. While we have
a transition phase, starting March 1, 2022, SLED CJIS will only accept
the new NDAs.
Also,
beginning March 1, 2022, all incomplete packets will not be processed. SLED receives a very high volume of packets,
and we will not be able to "piecemeal" packets or place follow-up phone calls
for clarification if the packets are incomplete. Any packets which are not complete, the TAC
will be notified via email to resubmit the packet in its entirety. Please include the TAC's direct telephone number
that we may contact during this transition phase.
A complete packet includes the
correct corresponding NDA with appropriate signatures. While we understand the ease of conducting
business via computer, all digital signatures need the time stamp or the
person's initials for verification. The
packet also requires a copy of the driver's license and two (2) legible
fingerprint cards. Since the individual
is not printed in the presence of a SLED-CJIS personnel, it is imperative that
the fingerprint card information, NDA, and driver license information match for
verification. SLED-CJIS would like to
take this opportunity to clear up any confusion regarding fingerprinting for
Security Awareness or NCIC. The applicant
shall submit a new set of fingerprints every two (2) years. We feel there are so many changes within a
year that are waiting longer than two years is too long. SLED-CJIS will not accept previously
collected fingerprints for processing.
1/11/2022
NCIC Certification for Employees on Extended Leave
Agency TACs,
We are aware that amid scheduling NCIC recertification training
for your agency personnel, emergencies will come up. We not only have to deal
with extended medical leave due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but other personal medical
emergencies and extended leave due to military service.
If you or any of your
agency's personnel have an extended absence, please send the NCIC unit that
information via email to ncic@sled.sc.gov.
We will make a note in the user's profile that they are on extended leave, and
we will work with you to ensure that they have ample time to complete their
training upon their return.
As always, we are more than happy to work with you
concerning any unique situations that may arise. If there is anything that we
can do to assist, please let us know.
12-9-2021
All TACs - Remember
When you inactivate a user in nexTEST, please remember to send
an email to ncic@sled.sc.gov to also have
us remove that user from your ORI.
In addition, if that user had NCIC access, please send in an
NCIC User/Device Delete Form so their specific path can be eliminated.
Thank you!
11-10-21
Little Known Fact
Is Online Security Awareness
only good for 24hrs? TRUE!
NCIC Training &
Certification must be completed within 24hrs.
9/29/2021
Fingerprint Based Background Checks
SLED-CJIS would like to take this opportunity to clear up any confusion regarding fingerprinting for Security Awareness. Please send in a new set of fingerprints every two (2) years. Updated Security Awareness training is required every two years or on a schedule that meets or exceeds the FBI CJIS Security Policy requirements, as determined by the SLED CSO. We feel there is so much which can change within a year that waiting longer than two years is too long.
Plus, by fingerprinting every two years, you will be able to get your employees on a schedule to coincide with NCIC and security awareness so that hopefully it will streamline the process.
Please review Expungement laws which change yearly. To speed up the process, if you have an employee who is eligible to have a charge expunged, please encourage them to do so.
In the future, any open dispositions will be denied. It is up to you or the individual to do the research and provide the necessary documentation when the paperwork is submitted. SLED CCH Unit will correct the record so that the record is up to date.
SLED-CJIS appreciates all that you do, and it is through your diligence, we will be able to have a quicker turnaround time. Thank you.
6/11/21
SLED CJIS Fingerprint-Bases Background Check Protocol
SLED CJIS has begun to streamline various procedures which will
hopefully allow a quicker turnaround on the background checks for Security
Awareness, NCIC Certification, and Employment.
Please review expungement laws which change yearly. To speed up
the process, if you have an employee who is eligible to have a charge expunged,
please encourage them to do so.
In the future, any open dispositions will be denied. It is up to
you or the individual to do the research and provide the necessary
documentation when the paperwork is submitted. SLED CCH Unit will correct the
record so that the record is up to date.
SLED CJIS appreciates all that you do, and it is through your
diligence that we will be able to have a quicker turnaround time. Thank you.
02/08/2021
SC DMV Image Specifications
SLED is pleased to
announce South Carolina DMV formats can now inquire and receive the DMV photo.
NCIC client software can be enhanced to allow an additional field on the XLIC
and XDHL message keys. This field is to request an image be returned with the
driver's license information. Your NCIC vendor must make some minor changes to
allow your agency to use this new feature. The attached image specifications
will provide your vendor with the details needed to program this feature on
XLIC and XDHL.
SLED is also now participating in the national exchange of DMV photos for the
NLETS DQ transaction. Use the image indicator field on the DQ screen to request
an image with the out of state driver information. These rules follow the NLETS
released requirements on formats and information exchanges.
These
features have been verified through the message switch and can be used once
placed in your vendor's NCIC product. The LEMS.WEB system WILL NOT be enhanced
to provide an image exchange.
Supporting technical documentation can be found in CJIS Documents. If you have any questions, please let me know.
Justin Banghart
NCIC Manager
803-896-3875
09/15/2020
Vendors in South Carolina
The SLED CJIS Non-Criminal Justice Information Services
(NCJIS) Unit is currently in the process of organizing and making
administrative changes to the Vendor/Vendor Employee sections of CJIS Online. Until
further notice, we ask that any agency needing to add a vendor or vendor
employee send an email request to agencycoordinator@sled.sc.gov.
Please follow the below instructions when submitting requests:
Requests to add new vendors must include:
1. The company name;
2. Company Point of Contact;
3. Valid contact information and address; and
4. Description of company services provided.
Requests to add users to an existing vendor must include:
1. The user's full name;
2. The name of the company to which the user will
be added;
3. Either the user's valid company email address or
the last four of the user's Social Security Number;
4. The date/location the user was fingerprinted;
and
5. The date the user's fingerprint-based background
check response was received by your agency.
Thank you for working with us on this, please let us know if
you have any questions or concerns.
Respectfully,
Madelynn McCarty
Non-Criminal Justice Information Services Program
Coordinator
South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division
Office:
803-896-4871
Email: agencycoordinator@sled.sc.gov