DPS Agencies Seek Better Protection
for Displaced Americans during Disasters
JEFFERSON CITY, June 13, 2006-Two divisions within the
Department of Public Safety, the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP)
and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) have improved criminal
background checks on volunteers and applicants during state and national
emergency.
“This department will not stand for convicted
child molesters and criminals using the chaos of crisis times to prey
on tragedy stricken individuals,” said Director of Public Safety
Mark James. “Our public safety divisions are constantly updating
the state’s emergency response plans and I am encouraged by
their hard charging efforts to preserve the public’s trust.”
As a result of the 2005 Katrina disaster, the Federal
Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the National Crime Prevention and
Privacy Compact Council, known as the Compact Council, approved Interstate
Identification Index (III) for the FBI to check criminal history records
to screen volunteers and displaced individuals.
The FBI only gave direct access to national criminal
history record information and fingerprints submission on a temporary
basis due to the extent of Katrina relief efforts. SEMA recognized
the need for criminal background checks on volunteers during times
of state emergency involving natural disasters like the severe tornados
Missouri experienced this spring and sought help through MSHP.
The MSHP forwarded a request to the FBI and was granted
approval for SEMA to conduct criminal background checks on volunteers
to care for the displaced children, elderly and disabled. SEMA will
now be able to submit fingerprints in order to conduct non-criminal
justice background checks for volunteers with access to children during
emergency situations.