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Law Enforcement Data Systems

LEDS, the Law Enforcement Data System, is a database created for law enforcement records such as warrants, protection orders, stolen property, criminal histories, and other vital investigative files.

​You must be a current employee for an agency that has LEDS access.

Employees wishing to gain access to LEDS must also be fingerprinted for CJIS security processing within 30 days of hire. 

You may have seen a job posting which says "preference will be given to applicants who are LEDS certified." Unfortunately, LEDS certification is not available to citizens directly.  Access to the LEDS database is required to complete the training process, and that access is limited to law enforcement agencies.  Basically, this is a process that your employer needs to sponsor you through; applicants who are already LEDS certified would likely have an employment history with other law enforcement agencies.

It's possible. Refer to Oregon Administrative Rule for full details:  OAR 257-015-0050(6) Excerpts below: 

(6) "Background Checks of Terminal Operators Required" Policies for access to the FBI-NCIC system require background screening of all terminal operators with access to the NCIC system. For efficiency and consistency, the key elements of the NCIC background screening policies are also adopted for all LEDS access, as follows:

(a) Appropriate Background investigations, including a check of LEDS and NCIC fugitive warrant files, the Oregon computerized criminal history (CCH) system, and the FBI Interstate Identification Index (III), must be conducted on all terminal operators with LEDS access. To assure positive identification, submission of a completed applicant fingerprint card to the FBI Identification Division through the Oregon State Police Identification Services Section is also required;

(b) If the applicant is found to be a fugitive or to be the subject of a current prosecution, access will be denied. If the applicant has been convicted of a crime which could have resulted in a sentence to a Federal or State penitentiary, access will be denied;

(c) Exceptions to denials based upon prior criminal convictions may be made in extraordinary circumstances upon application by the user agency to the Superintendent of State Police setting forth the circumstances. The Superintendent or his/her designee will maintain a central file where such exception authorizations shall be filed.

The Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) was established by act of the 1969 Oregon Legislature (ORS 181.710) which authorized the state Executive Department to develop and operate a police information network. In 1973, the term "Police Information Network" was amended to read "Law Enforcement Data System". Senate Bill 1044 in the 1993 legislative session transferred LEDS to the Department of Oregon State Police (ORS 181.730).

LEDS is a program organized within the Department of Oregon State Police. It provides a criminal justice telecommunications and information system for the State of Oregon, and is the control point for access to similar programs operated by other states and the Federal Government.

Administrative Rules​ detail the policies and procedures for operation and use. Many of those are explained below or linked to the information. 

Records Retention Schedules are set by the Oregon Secretary of State.

​​See:​
  • LEDS Certification Records;require maintaining documents on the qualification of staff to perform Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) searches on clients or agency employees.
  • Employee Personnel Records and Recruitment and Selection Records in the Personnel Records section.

Retention: Retain 2 years after employee ceases to be LEDS certified, destroy.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 192 & 357
Stats. Implemented: ORS 192.005–192.170 & 357.805–357.895

​The general responsibilities of the Law Enforcement Data System program are as follows:

  • Develop and operate a computerized criminal justice telecommunications and information system providing message switching and record storage and retrieval capabilities.
  • Provide a level of training adequate to enable effective use of LEDS and associated systems.
  • Function as the NCIC Control Terminal Agency and the NLETS Control Terminal Agency for the State of Oregon.
  • Assist and train criminal justice agencies in the development of information from LEDS and associated systems for use in criminal investigations.
  • Develop and maintain linkages with the Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Branch (DMV), the State Marine Board, the Public Utility Commission, and other non-criminal justice agencies to make appropriate information available to Oregon criminal justice agencies to assist in the enforcement of state criminal and traffic laws and regulations.
  • Provide staff support to the Law Enforcement Data System Advisory Committee.
  • Develop and operate the State Uniform Crime Reporting Program to collect crime statistics information from local and state law enforcement agencies; provide information to the public, the Governor, the Legislature, contributing agencies, and others who have a responsibility for the prevention or reduction of crime.
  • Provide monthly and annual Oregon crime statistics information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation to satisfy national uniform crime reporting program requirements.
  • Operate a program of record validation, quality control, and audits to ensure that records entered into LEDS and NCIC files by user agencies are kept accurate and complete and that compliance with state and national standards is maintained.
  • Provide assistance and information access to non-criminal justice user agencies for statutory licensing, employment and regulatory purposes and for other purposes authorized by law.

LEDS= Department of State Police, Law Enforcement Data System.

NCIC= National Crime Information Center (Federal Bureau of Investigation)

NLETS= International Justice And Public Safety Network

Associated Systems= Automated or manual information system which is accessible via LEDS.

Criminal Justice Agency= Following as defined by the National Crime Information Center:

 

Courts= A government agency or any subunit thereof which performs the administration of criminal justice pursuant to a statute or executive order, and which allocates a substantial part of its annual budget to the administration of criminal justice.

Criminal Justice Purpose= The administration of criminal justice, as defined below:
  • Performance of any of the following activities: detection, apprehension, detention, pretrial release, post trial release, prosecution, adjudication, correctional supervision, or rehabilitation of accused persons or criminal offenders.
  • Criminal identification activities and the collection, storage, and dissemination of criminal history record information.
  • Criminal justice employment investigations are included, as is the licensing of or issuing of a permit for a weapon or explosive when required to be performed by a criminal justice agency, pursuant to a federal, state or local law. (This category includes firearms dealers and purchasers, carriers of concealed weapons, explosives dealers and users and lethal weapons dealers and users).
  • State and Federal Inspector General offices are included.
  • Defense of accused persons, whether by private counsel, public defender or other court appointed counsel is not included in the definition of the administration of criminal justice.
Investigative Files= computerized records stored in LEDS, NCIC or other state criminal justice information systems, as follows: outstanding arrest warrants and other wanted persons; missing persons; unidentified persons; restraining orders; lost or stolen identification; Psychiatric Security Review Board Orders; persons who have threatened a Secret Service protected person; Persons under the supervision of a Court or a Corrections agency; gang members; armed career criminals; Sex offender registrants; concealed handgun license records; stolen, repossessed, impounded vehicles; stolen vehicle license plates, vehicle parts, vehicle identification plates and title certificates; vehicles used in the commission of a felony; stolen and pawned firearms; stolen securities; stolen boats and associated equipment; other stolen and pawned property; other files of a similar nature which may be established to assist in law enforcement investigations or to enhance other criminal justice purposes.

NCIC State Control Terminal Agency= agency in each state which is responsible for the state´s computer link with the National Crime Information Center and which is responsible for ensuring that NCIC system security and operational policies and procedures are carried out within the state.

NLETS State Control Terminal Agency= agency in each state which is responsible for the state´s computer link with the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, Inc., and which is responsible for ensuring that NLETS´ system security and operational policies and procedures are carried out within the state.

Management Control Agreement=  a written agreement between a criminal justice agency and a non-criminal justice agency which provides services (dispatching, record keeping, computer services, etc.) to the criminal justice agency. The agreement gives the criminal justice agency management control over the operations of the non-criminal justice agency as they relate to access to the Law Enforcement Data System network.

Management Control= the authority to set and enforce: (a) Priorities; (b) Standards for the selection, supervision and termination of personnel; and (c) Policy governing the operation of computers, circuits, and telecommunications terminals used to process, store, or transmit information to or receive information from the Law Enforcement Data System. 

This Committee advises the Superintendent of State Police on general policy concerning the philosophy, concept, and operational principles of the LEDS program. In its deliberations the Committee places particular emphasis on the following areas:

  • Continued responsiveness of the LEDS program to the state´s criminal justice information needs;
  • System security; and
  • Rules, regulations and procedures to maintain the integrity of LEDS information.
The LEDS Advisory Committee is composed of members appointed by the Governor representing the following areas:
  • Judicial Department;
  • Oregon Juvenile Department Directors Association;
  • Oregon Peace Officers Association;
  • Associated Public Safety Communications Officers, Inc.;
  • Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police;
  • Oregon State Sheriffs´ Association;
  • Oregon District Attorneys´ Association;
  • Attorney General;
  • Oregon State Police;
  • Department of Transportation, Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Branch (DMV);
  • Department of Corrections;
  • Oregon Youth Authority; and
  • Such other members as the Governor considers appropriate for purposes of the committee.​

If an agency qualifies for placement of a LEDS terminal, or for access via a terminal on another system which has access to the LEDS network, the following criteria must be met.

Questions about whether or not an agency meets one of these criteria or whether LEDS access is appropriate will be resolved by the LEDS Advisory Committee:

  • The agency is a criminal justice agency as defined in OAR 257-015-0030(5); or
  • The agency is a service agency which provides computer services, dispatching support, or other direct support service to one or more criminal justice agencies, and which has signed a management control agreement with a criminal justice agency; or
  • The agency is a non-criminal justice agency with a statutory requirement to use information or capabilities which may be available via LEDS, and use of a terminal by the agency will not adversely affect criminal justice agency users, and use of the terminal will be for a criminal justice purpose as defined in OAR 257-015-0030​(6); or
  • The agency is a non-criminal justice agency which provides information or capabilities needed by criminal justice agencies for a criminal justice purpose, and use of a terminal will improve the ability to provide such information or capabilities; or
  • The agency is a non-criminal justice agency with statutory requirement to use information or capabilities which may be available via LEDS, and use of a terminal by the agency will not adversely affect criminal justice agency users, and use of the terminal will be for the specific non-criminal justice purpose(s) for which the agency is authorized access to the information or capabilities available via LEDS, and the agency has been approved for terminal access by the LEDS Advisory Committee.

User Agreement= Any agency using a terminal to access the Law Enforcement Data System, whether directly or through another agency, is responsible for adhering to all applicable LEDS rules and policies and must sign an agreement with LEDS to that effect.

Record Validation= Any agency that enters information into LEDS or NCIC files is responsible for the accuracy, timeliness and completeness of that information. LEDS will send a record validation review list, regularly, to each agency. Validation is accomplished by reviewing the original entry and current supporting documents. Recent reconsultation with any appropriate complainant, victim, prosecutor, court, motor vehicle registry files, or other appropriate source or individual also is required with respect to the Wanted Person, Missing Person, and Vehicle Files. In the event the agency is unsuccessful in its attempts to contact the victim, complainant, etc., the entering authority must make a determination based on the best information and knowledge available whether or not to retain the original entry in the file. Validation procedures must be formalized and copies of these procedures must be on file for review during a LEDS or NCIC audit. When the agency has completed the validation they must return a signed certification of their validity within an appropriate time as established by LEDS.

Minimum Training= Each agency employee who operates a terminal to access the LEDS network must complete a LEDS System Training Guide at a level consistent with the employee’s duties. Pursuant to procedures outlined in the LEDS Operating Manual, the agency LEDS Representative must issue a Training Guide to such employees within ten (10) calendar days of the person beginning to access LEDS via a terminal. The Training Guide must be completed within 60 calendar days from the date of issue. Each employee who operates a terminal to access LEDS must be re-certified by the agency every two years per schedules and procedures as prescribed by LEDS.

Hit Confirmation= When another agency receives a positive record response (Hit) from LEDS or NCIC and requests confirmation of the status of the record (warrant, stolen vehicle, etc.), the agency responsible for entry of the record must respond within 10 minutes for urgent hit confirmation requests or within one (1) hour for routine hit confirmation requests, with an answer indicating the status of the record or indicating when the record status will be confirmed.

Agency LEDS Representatives=The agency administrator of each agency with terminal access to LEDS must designate an agency LEDS Representative who shall be the primary contact for all matters relating to use of LEDS by the agency. The agency LEDS Representative must complete the LEDS System Training Guide before a training guide will be issued to other agency employees. The agency LEDS Representative must complete a LEDS System Training Guide at the highest level required by any person in the agency before a training guide will be issued to other agency personnel. Every LEDS Representative must satisfactorily complete no less than the Inquiry Level Training Guide.

Background Checks of Terminal Operators Required= Policies for access to the FBI-NCIC system require background screening of all terminal operators with access to the NCIC system. For efficiency and consistency, the key elements of the NCIC background screening policies are also adopted for all LEDS access, as follows:

(a) Appropriate Background investigations, including a check of LEDS and NCIC fugitive warrant files, the Oregon computerized criminal history (CCH) system, and the FBI Interstate Identification Index (III), must be conducted on all terminal operators with LEDS access. To assure positive identification, submission of a completed applicant fingerprint card to the FBI Identification Division through the Oregon State Police Identification Services Section is also required;
(b) If the applicant is found to be a fugitive or to be the subject of a current prosecution, access will be denied. If the applicant has been convicted of a crime which could have resulted in a sentence to a Federal or State penitentiary, access will be denied;
(c) Exceptions to denials based upon prior criminal convictions may be made in extraordinary circumstances upon application by the user agency to the Superintendent of State Police setting forth the circumstances. The Superintendent or his/her designee will maintain a central file where such exception authorizations shall be filed.

Data stored in the LEDS, NCIC, and other criminal justice information system files is documented criminal justice information.

This information must be protected to ensure its integrity and its correct, legal and efficient storage, dissemination and use. It is incumbent upon and agency operating a LEDS terminal, or a terminal on another system which has access to the LEDS network, to implement the procedures necessary to make the terminal secure from any unauthorized use.

All agency personnel authorized to access the LEDS network must be instructed in the proper use and dissemination of the information.

A local or state government computer center may be given direct access to the LEDS network if the agency operating the computer is a criminal justice agency. If the agency operating the computer is not a criminal justice agency, then there must be a current management control agreement in effect between the computer center management and one of the criminal justice agencies served by the computer center.

The criteria for allowing terminal access to LEDS are described in OAR 257-015-0080​​. A local or state computer system connected to LEDS may allow such access after giving written notification to the Oregon State Police CJIS Division, including the identification of the agency requesting access, the terminal identifier, and other information needed by CJIS to ensure proper authorization.

​The authorization of any agency to access the LEDS network or associated systems or to retain access is subject to revocation or cancellation by LEDS on the following grounds:

  • Violation by the agency or a by a member of the agency of any state statute, administrative rule, or policy pertaining to the use of LEDS or associated systems.
  • Violation of the security of the LEDS system.
  • Accessing, retrieving or using information from or through the LEDS system for non-official or unauthorized purposes.

Information is made available to LEDS users from various sources and agencies, including LEDS and other state information system files, motor vehicle departments, NCIC, Oregon State Police Identification Services Section, etc.

Each user must observe any restrictions placed on the use or dissemination of information by its source. It is LEDS's responsibility to advise user agencies of any restrictions which apply to any information accessed via the Law Enforcement Data System.

Please review the entire rule set for all details related to Information Access and Dissemination. OAR 257-015-0060 ​

 
​Contact
​Criminal Justice Information Services
LEDS Helpdesk
Email:  helpdesk.leds@osp.oregon.gov
Phone: 503-378-5565 
Fax: 503-588-1378

​Hours
Available 24 hours a day