A New Mindset is Making Tribal Communities Safe Again
Written by Christopher B. Chaney, Principal Deputy Director, Office of Tribal Justice, U.S. Department of Justice in General Articles
Date: 08/24/2026
The Department of Justice Tribal Access Program (TAP) continues to set the standard for sharing secure, useful, and actionable crime data with federally recognized Tribal government agencies.
The foundation for TAP was established in the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010. In that historic legislation, Congress amended 28 U.S.C. § 534 to ensure that Tribal law enforcement agencies could access the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and other systems maintained by the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division.
Officially launched in 2015, TAP provides hardware, software, training, and access at no cost to the Tribes themselves. TAP provides tribal police with access to information about fugitives, stolen property, gang affiliation, and missing persons.
Tribal prosecutors access information about suspects’ criminal histories and flight risk to prepare cases for court. Tribal criminal courts use TAP to make informed decisions about conditions of pre-trial release, sentencing, and to share domestic violence protection orders for nationwide enforcement (18 USC 2265). Tribal sex offender registration officers use TAP to enter and update information about convicted sex offenders that is available to warn members of the public.
Officially launched in 2015, TAP provides hardware, software, training, and access at no cost to the Tribes themselves. TAP provides tribal police with access to information about fugitives, stolen property, gang affiliation, and missing persons.
Tribal prosecutors access information about suspects’ criminal histories and flight risk to prepare cases for court. Tribal criminal courts use TAP to make informed decisions about conditions of pre-trial release, sentencing, and to share domestic violence protection orders for nationwide enforcement (18 USC 2265). Tribal sex offender registration officers use TAP to enter and update information about convicted sex offenders that is available to warn members of the public.
TAP is also routinely used for non-criminal-justice background-check purposes authorized by Congress. For example, Congress authorized Tribal government agencies to obtain criminal history record information from persons seeking jobs that entail access to children or service as foster parents (25 USC 3207).
These background checks protect children from dangerous persons. In 2022, Congress amended 34 USC 41101 to allow Tribal councils to enact new background check authorities that, upon approval by the FBI, enable Tribal government agencies to use TAP to conduct background checks for new purposes that meet the unique needs of specific Tribes.
These background checks protect children from dangerous persons. In 2022, Congress amended 34 USC 41101 to allow Tribal councils to enact new background check authorities that, upon approval by the FBI, enable Tribal government agencies to use TAP to conduct background checks for new purposes that meet the unique needs of specific Tribes.
One requirement for agencies that submit criminal justice information to FBI CJIS systems is that records be kept up to date (28 CFR 20.37). TAP Tribes’ compliance with disposition reporting requirements outpaces state and federal agencies, making Tribally submitted dispositions the most up-to-date in the nation; TAP News & Notes (June 2026).
Some of the success in recognizing data-driven public safety initiatives has been spurred by a change in mindset among criminal justice professionals. “Departments no longer see data collection as a bureaucratic chore or compliance obligation but as a strategic advantage.” (Modern Technology in Law Enforcement: A Change - Police Chief Magazine).
As criminal justice agencies of federally recognized Tribes utilize the DOJ Tribal Access Program, they improve the administration of public safety on Tribal lands and foster continued success in the evolving story of criminal justice information sharing.
About the Author
As criminal justice agencies of federally recognized Tribes utilize the DOJ Tribal Access Program, they improve the administration of public safety on Tribal lands and foster continued success in the evolving story of criminal justice information sharing.
About the Author
Christopher B. Chaney is a member of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation, has 34 years of experience working in Indian country, and currently serves as a supervisory attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Tribal Justice. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not of the Department of Justice.