Insights
At this year’s International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) conference, one message was clear: AI is here to stay. While CJIS compliance continues to adapt to this new technology, it remains crucial to only use tools properly configured for Law Enforcement.
Not All AI Tools Are CJIS-Compliant
AI tools are rapidly gaining traction in investigations, helping agencies save time and uncover insights that once took days to find. However, many commonly used tools—like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and other public AI platforms—are not CJIS compliant.
That creates serious risk. Data entered into noncompliant tools can be:
Retained or reused in public systems
Transmitted without encryption
Exposed during model training, leading to potential data spillage
Establishing Clear Policies Is Key to Safe AI Adoption
One of the major themes at IACP this year was the growing need for agency-level policies around AI use. As more departments explore AI-driven investigative tools, it’s essential to define:
Which tools are approved for use
How data will be handled
What safeguards are in place for CJIS compliance
If your agency doesn’t yet have a policy governing the use of AI tools, now is the time to get one. Providing officers with a CJIS-compliant alternative ensures they can leverage AI safely, without risking data breaches or audit issues. Without a clear policy framework, even well-intentioned officers may inadvertently violate CJIS standards.
Partner with Companies That Truly Understand CJIS
At the end of the day, agencies need partners who truly understand CJIS. For vendors, that means more than marketing compliance—it means proving it.
Being a good partner to agencies means ensuring:
Staff are vetted and authorized for CJIS data access
Processes are aligned with both state and federal CJIS requirements
Compliance holds up during audits
When agencies know their vendor takes CJIS seriously, they can focus on the mission at hand, confident that their data is protected and their systems are audit-ready.
“Trust, But Verify” Your Vendors
The best piece of advice for law enforcement leaders evaluating technology vendors? Trust, but verify.
Before adopting any tool that handles CJIS data, ask:
How do you screen and clear your personnel?
Where have you successfully implemented CJIS solutions?
Do you have a dedicated CJIS Subject Matter Expert (SME) on staff?
Remember, operating in a “Gov Cloud” does not automatically mean a vendor is CJIS compliant. True compliance requires hands-on experience with state CJIS Systems Agencies, understanding their review processes, and providing ongoing support through audits.
Final Takeaway
AI can empower law enforcement like never before, but only if it’s implemented responsibly. Agencies that invest in CJIS-compliant tools, clear policies, and trusted vendors will be best positioned to harness the benefits of AI while protecting the integrity and security of criminal justice data.
