The Justice system has launched a new initiative aimed at enhancing public safety in federally recognized Tribes, with the opening of the application period for the Tribal Access Program (TAP).
The program, which is a critical asset for Tribes to increase safety and justice in their communities, provides federally recognized Tribes with the ability to access and exchange data with national crime information databases for authorized criminal justice and non-criminal justice purposes.
According to Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, the Tribal Access Program has proven indispensable in advancing Tribal public safety across the country, with 132 federally recognized Tribes currently participating in the program.
The TAP program provides software, hardware, and training, as well as a web-based application and biometric/biographic kiosk workstations to process fingerprints, take mugshots, and submit information to FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) systems.
Tribes have used the program to share information about missing persons, enter domestic violence orders of protection for nationwide enforcement, register convicted sex offenders, and run criminal histories. The Cherokee Nation has been participating in TAP for many years, using the program in a multitude of ways, including sex offender registrations, law enforcement, foster home certification, human resources, and child support.
The application period for TAP will run from June 24 to Aug. 30, with Tribes selected to participate being notified in September. To qualify for funding, federally recognized Tribes must have – and agree to use TAP for – at least one of the following: A Tribal sex offender registry authorized by the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act; A Tribal law enforcement agency that has arrest powers; A Tribal court that issues orders of protection; or A Tribal government agency that screens individuals for foster care placement or that investigates allegations of child abuse/neglect.
TAP is funded by the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART).
Tribes that are considering applying are encouraged to attend informational webinars, which will be offered throughout July and August. For more information about TAP, including webinar dates, times, and access information, visit www.justice.gov/tribal/tribal-access-program-2024-applications.
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Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Public Corruption|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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