The LEADing News
Print your Read and Sign sheet here.
LEADS Fee Structure
| LEADS Access Category | Monthly Fees | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Indirect Access The agency has no means to query LEADS directly. Information is accessed through requests to a terminal agency. |
$50 | Agency must sign a LEADS Non-terminal Agency Agreement. |
| Direct Access The agency has terminal or mobile applications through which it can query LEADS. |
$250 | Agency must sign a LEADS Terminal Agency Agreement. |
| Connectivity Secure access services provided and managed by LEADS. |
Site-to-site VPN: $350 per Client VPN: $5 per PC Identity Mgt/MFA: $5 per user |
Site-to-site VPN required for agencies with interfaced systems (e.g., CAD, MDT, RMS, et al.) |
LEADS ACCESS
Did you know agencies are required to submit employees or contractors with arrest records to LEADS prior to permitting direct or indirect access to Criminal Justice Information (CJI)?
Per the CJIS Security Policy: To verify identification, state of residency and national fingerprint-based record checks shall be conducted prior to granting access to CJI for all personnel who have unescorted access to unencrypted CJI or unescorted access to physically secure locations or controlled areas (during times of CJI processing). Additionally, if a record of any kind exists, access to CJI shall not be granted until the CSO or his/her designee reviews the matter to determine if access is appropriate.
Refer to the LEADS Manual (Agency Coordinator) for LEADS access requirements.
Note: A state and national fingerprint-based record check is only required once. Additionally, a computerized criminal history (CCH) is recommended as a part of the triennial audit preparation.
Note: The LOU form should not be submitted until the state and national fingerprint record check has been received. Agency TACs are required to indicate completion and the date of completion prior to submission.
NICS 922(g)(3) – UNLAWFUL USER OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
NICS/ATF is working on updates to the change in protocol for this federal prohibitor due to the dynamics of ongoing litigation and marijuana deregulation. Training materials relating to 922(g)(3) are no longer valid – please discontinue their use.
New “Unlawful User” advises that:
- A person is an unlawful user if they regularly use a controlled substance over a long period of time, and this use continues into the present.
- A single event – such as one drug arrest, one confession, or one failed drug test – is NOT ENOUGH to deny someone the right to buy a firearm.
- A person is NOT an unlawful user if they used drugs once, only occasionally, or if they stopped regular use.
- People who slightly misuse a legally prescribed drug are also NOT considered unlawful users.
Currently, the FBI is unable to provide any further guidance on how to apply (or not apply) the revised definition to a particular fact pattern. The NICS section is actively working to adapt to and apply the revised definition and requests your agency does its best to do the same.
For any questions regarding this matter, please contact the NICS Training Team at NICSTraining@FBI.GOVLEADS SECURITY
Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Criminal Justice Information (CJI)
Ingesting CJI obtained from LEADS into any AI model presents a great risk of improper data exposure and/or loss. If your agency is moving forward with AI integration for systems that transmit, process or store CJI; an Agency Service Request (ASR) will be required to detail/document how that AI model is implemented and utilized within your environment, and how the system meets or exceeds the CJIS Security Policy controls. Be prepared to provide documentation, controls, and artifacts as part of the implementation.
Questions to ask your vendor before implementation:
Where does the AI model live? Where is the ingested data stored?
What type of encryption is utilized to secure CJI ingested to the model?
Is the data model public (open) or domain specific (closed)?
How does the model enforce auditing and accountability?
Does the tool share data with similar subscribers?
What/Who was used to train and develop AI based algorithms, capabilities, and functionalities?
What safeguards, such as guardrails, policies, and security controls, are in place to ensure the model is safe and reliable before deployment?
What is the human oversight?
Questions to address locally:
What are the ownership roles and capabilities at your agency?
Is the usage of AI detailed in the Media Protection policy or its own chapter?
AI Bias could result from improper training, algorithm gaps, flawed model design and/or human input. How is AI Bias mitigated?
Secondhand check – the human guardrail. Who completes this task?
If your vendor cannot detail compliance with the current CJIS Security Policy, the AI project will not be permitted to be process, store or transmit CJI.
AI references, implementation guides, and frameworks:
AI Playbook for Justice, Public Safety, and Security Professionals
AICoP-AIGovernanceToolkit
AI Risk Management Framework | NIST
(2) The CJIS AI Framework: A Vision for Artificial Intelligence in Criminal Justice | LinkedIn
For questions or assistance with the LEADS Security CJIS Audit or technical audits, please contact: LEADSSecurity@dps.ohio.gov
AUDITOR'S CORNER
Administrative Messages with Dollar Amounts
When an agency sends an Administrative Messages (AM) announcing upcoming training, the solicitation of cost, fees etc., are not permitted. See LEADS Manual (Administrative Message) for additional information.
Solicitor/Liquor Permit CCH Checks
Agencies are not permitted to run CCHs for solicitor/liquor permits. Agencies will be marked out of compliance and possibly sanctioned for repeated violations. Those attempting to acquire a solicitor/liquor permit may complete criminal history checks through BCI.
LEADS Administrator Training
Per OAC 4501:2-10-3 (C)(8), agencies are required to train all personnel of the agency having access to LEADS data with the capabilities, services offered and rules of LEADS. Compliance with this rule shall include, but is not limited to, completion of the LEADS provided training. The LEADS Administrator must have (operator or practitioner) training to access CJI. This requirement is reviewed during the tri-annual LEADS audit and documentation of completion must be on file.
Vehicle/License Plate Information Entered on Warrants
The NCIC Manual (Wanted Person) permits vehicle and/or license plate to be entered as part of a wanted person record (EW, EWJ, or ET) provided the location of the vehicle and/or license plate is unknown, and the entering agency has reasonable grounds to believe that the wanted person may be operating the vehicle or a vehicle bearing the license plate.
Mere knowledge or verification with the appropriate Department of Motor Vehicles that a vehicle and/or license plate is registered to the wanted person does not meet the criteria for entry of either or both as part of his/her wanted record.
Your Auditors
Betsy Hundley – Yellow Counties
(614) 752-4380
BJHundley@dps.ohio.gov
Steven Hustak – Blue Counties
(614) 466-7609
SGHustak@dps.ohio.gov
Tracey Robinson – Green Counties
(614) 466-7621
TLRobinson@dps.ohio.gov
Brittany West – Red Counties
(614) 466-0673
BNWest@dps.ohio.govv
NCIC TECHNICAL AND OPERATIONAL UPDATE (TOU)
TOU 2026-1
2.1 UPDATE TO THE III/NFF MANUAL SECTION 3.2—PURPOSE CODES
TOU 2026-2
2.1 QR RECORD RESPONSE TO REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY FEDERAL AGENCIES WITH FEDERAL DNA BANNER AND BIOMETRIC INDICATOR SUMMARY
TOU 2026-2
3.1 ADDITION OF THE CAPABILITY TO ALLOW THE ENTRY OF TEMPORARY WANTS FOR MISDEMEANOR CRIME OF VIOLENCE
TOU 2026-3
3.1 ADDITION OF THE REDRESS PROCEDURAL INFORMATION IN NCIC’S THREAT SCREENING CENTER (TSC) FILE
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Basic Operator Training, New TAC Training, Entry/Packing the Record Training are provided on-site at your agency or via Microsoft TEAMS. Please contact Training Analyst Ian Miller at immiller@dps.ohio.gov to schedule. Additional training not listed may be provided, please inquire via email.
*For TAC In-Service Session and New TAC Courses, please register through nexTEST under the TRAINING REGISTRATION tab.
TAC In-Service Make-Up Sessions
December 8th: 9am to 12pm (TEAMS)
December 15th: 9am to 12pm (TEAMS)
New TAC (Entering Agency) 9AM – 1PM
November 12 – (In-person, Columbus)
December 10 – (Remote, Teams) – FULL, Contact Instructor
January 7 – (Remote, TEAMS)
February 4 – (In-person, Columbus)
March 4 – (In-person, Columbus)
April 1 – (In-person, Columbus)
New TAC (Non-Entering Agency) 9AM – 12:30PM
November 19 – (In-person, Columbus)
December 17 – (Remote, TEAMS) – FULL, Contact Instructor
January 21 – (Remote, TEAMS)
February 18 – (In-Person, Columbus)
March 18 – (In-Person, Columbus)
April 15 – (In-Person, Columbus)
CPI OPENFOX Messenger Training is now available at https://www.openfox.com. Click on “Client Portal” to register and activate your account.
LEADS Basic Operator Training - https://youtu.be/c1Wb5t6DAmY
Video Training Warrant Entry Introduction - https://youtu.be/IHrc6ul0J6A
Video Training Session 1 Packing the Record - https://youtu.be/mTNOEo17J3E
Video Training Session 2 Making the Entry - https://youtu.be/g0beTkrPPR4
LEADS CONTROL ROOM: (800) 589-2077
LEADS FAX NUMBERS
LEADS Control Room: (614) 644-2459
Auditors: (614) 995-0743
LEADS Administration: (614) 995-1230
Progrmmers & Technical Security: (614) 644-0566
MAILING ADDRESS
LEADS
P.O. BOX 182075
COLUMBUS, OH 43218-2075
LEADS STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Major Matthew Them, Chair - Ohio State Highway Patrol
Chief Jeffrey Braun, Delhi Township Police Department
Chief Gary Lewis - Bexley Police Department
Sheriff Matthew O. Hafey - Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office
Director Shane McCracken - Northwest Ohio Regional Information System (NORIS)
Superintendent Bruce Pijanowski - Bureau of Criminal Investigations
Captain Dennis Swingley - Cincinnati Police Department
Sheriff Randy Thorp - Licking County Sheriff’s Office
Judge Linda R. Warner - Meigs County Common Pleas Court
Jeremy Hansford - Criminal Justice Information Services Systems Officer (CSO)
INDEX
A
- Absconder Spring 2025
- Account Sharing Spring 2024
- Auditors Corner Recurring
- Auditor County Assignments Recurring
B
- BMV Emergency Contact Fall 2023
C
- CHL Crosscheck Fall 2023
- CJIS Security Policy Spring 2024
- Completing the Record Spring 2025
- Contact Information Recurring
D
- Deported Felon Spring 2025
E
- Employee Updates Recurring
- Endangered Missing Juvenile Fall 2025
- eWarrants System Spring 2023
G
- Guns Spring 2025
I
- Immigration Violator File Spring 2025
- In Memory of Nina Sakey Spring 2023
J
- Job Shadowing Spring 2024
L
- LEADS AccessRecurring
- LEADS Access ReviewSpring 2024
- LEADS Administrative Rules RevisedFall 2024
- LEADS Approved Test TransactionsFall 2023
- LEADS FeesRecurring
- LEADS Operator Update SubmissionsSpring 2026
- LEADS Phone System UpdatedFall 2024, Spring 2025
- LEADS SecurityRecurring
- License Plate ReaderFall 2023
- Linking Records Missing Person EntriesSpring 2024
- LocatesSpring 2023
- LSC New ChairFall 2023
M
- Mental Health Notice Form 95 Fall 2025
- Military Disposition Information Fall 2023
- Modifying Records Amber Alert Enhancement Fall 2024
N
- NICS Spring 2024, Spring 2026
- NICS Access Spring 2024
- NICS Expanded Outreach to Individuals Under 21 Spring 2023
- Nlets Spring 2025
- Nlets Training Fall 2023
O
- Ohio Information Sharing Initiative Fall 2023
- OVI Automatic License Suspension (ALS) Spring 2023
- title link
- title link
- title link
P
- Partial VIN Hits Fall 2025
- Paul Stockdale Fall 2025
- Protection Orders Fall 2023
R
- Router Replacement Spring 2024
S
- Security Awareness Training Update Spring 2023, Fall 2023
- Security and Privacy Literacy Training Spring 2024
T
- TAC Appointment Form Spring 2025
- Technical Operational Updates (TOU) Recurring
- Training Opportunities Recurring Recurring
V
- Violent Person File (VPF) Fall 2023
W
- Warrant Entry Change Senate Bill 288 Spring 2023
