The Information Technology Unit (IT) is continuously upgrading computer operations to provide for more efficient and effective services to our records management systems for the criminal and civil sections of the Sheriff’s office.

In the criminal section, the IT Unit permits us to rapidly retrieve computerized information, regarding criminal histories, arrests and warrants. Our officers access this information by data input of the name, date of birth, Social Security number or personal descriptive indicators of individuals charged with crimes. Our criminal section computer system enables our officers to instantaneously collect and disseminate fingerprints, photographs, personal characteristic information and other data on persons charged with crime.

In the civil section, our computer system allows personnel to quickly and cost-effectively process summonses and complaints, foreclosures, wage garnishments and writs. All paperwork, including checks, is given a Sheriff’s file number and the information is updated for immediate accessibility. Our methodology enables Sheriff’s personnel, the public, our courts and the legal community with immediate access to non-confidential civil data.

All Essex County Sheriff’s personnel are computer literate and have access to approximately 150 personal computers at Veterans Courthouse and other remote sites such as the Historic Courthouse, the Wilentz Justice Center, the Bureau of Narcotics and the Essex County Office of Emergency Management.

Our computer network allows for instant communication with the National Crime Information Center, the New Jersey State Police networks and other law enforcement agencies. Our computer network also allows us to electronically transmit fingerprints to the State Police via our Automated Fingerprint System.

To protect the integrity of our computer system and our records management network, all computer entries are copied and catalogued daily on storage tape.



THE INTEGRATED LAW ENFORCEMENT INITIATIVE
On June 15, 2010, Sheriff Fontoura, County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, and Prosecutor Robert Laurino unveiled the Integrated Law Enforcement Enforcement Initiative (ILEI).

ILEI is a cutting-edge, computerized document and information system which streamlines records management and enhances information sharing among Essex County law enforcement agencies.

Essex is the first county in New Jersey to develop a customized system that links law enforcement records together and standardizes record keeping.

"This new technology streamlines quick and easy access to a uniform template of reports, mugshots, adn fingerprint information," noted Sheriff Armando Fontoura. "ILEI enables the law enforcement to analyze data not only from their individual department but also from their surrounding community to look for patterns of criminal activity."

The Essex County Sheriff's Office is a depository for all documents. A computer infrastructure was created to link the four initial ILEI partner; the Sheriff's Office, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, the Newark Police Department, and the Essex County Correctional Facility.

In the coming months, all Essex County municipal police departments will be linked to ILEI.