For an eleven-hour period starting approximately 10:30 p.m., Sunday night, March 3, and ending at 9:43 a.m., Monday, March 4, 2013, technology system problems reported to the State Data Center affected connections between the Oregon State Police Identification Services Section (ISS) and Law Enforcement Data Systems (LEDS).
These problems impacted the following services and functions provided by ISS:
• Criminal arrest identifications and Computerized Criminal History (CCH) record updates from law enforcement and criminal justice agencies;
• Completion of Firearms Instant Check System (FICS) background checks on persons attempting to purchase firearms;
• And, applicant background checks for employment and licensing.
During that time period, FICS was receiving incoming and making outgoing calls, and background checks could be entered through the FICS website. Staff was accepting this information to process requests in the order received once the connectivity was restored. Unfortunately, responses weren’t provided until the problem was resolved.
To help inform our various customers, notifications were posted for gun dealers to the FICS On-Line bulletin board, an email message was sent to Oregon Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) users, and phone contact was made to advise many county jails.
The Oregon State Police understands how frustrating these unexpected disruptions are for those who rely on our services. The Department of Administrative Services notified OSP the problem would be resolved as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience and assure those affected that we are working diligently to complete any remaining outstanding requests for service.