Twenty Oklahoma Tribes Now Have Federal Crime Data Access Through Expanded Justice Department Program

The U.S. Justice Department has expanded the Tribal Access Program for National Crime Information, adding seven federally recognized tribes to the roster. The Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma is among the new participants, bringing the total number of Oklahoma tribes in the program to twenty. TAP allows tribal governments to enter, access, and exchange data with national crime information systems maintained by the FBI, including tools for missing persons, sex offender registration, domestic violence orders, and fingerprint-based background checks.

The program launched in 2015 after tribal leaders raised concerns about being unable to access the same federal systems that other law enforcement agencies rely on daily. Along with database access, TAP provides training, software, and biometric workstations for fingerprints and mugshots. Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter said the program equips tribal governments with the federal crime data needed to solve crimes, conduct background checks, and identify wanted predators, strengthening public safety for families and children in Indian Country.

For southwest Oklahoma, where tribal, county, and military jurisdictions sit close together, shared data can mean faster answers in urgent cases. Twenty of Oklahoma’s thirty-nine federally recognized tribes now participate. What public safety issue would you most like to see agencies coordinate on next?