For Immediate Release
August 16, 2006

317.816.1619, ext. 101
Michael F. Ward, Executive Director

Law Enforcement Executives Support and Commend Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Indianapolis, Indiana – Leadership members of The Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and The Indiana Sheriffs’ Association (ISA) met with BMV Commissioner, Joel Silverman, and the Acting Commander of the Indiana State Police (ISP) Information Technology Division, Captain John Clawson, on August 9, 2006. Following the meeting George Kehl, President of the IACP, and Chief of Police in Fishers Indiana stated, “As a result of this meeting the IACP and the ISA are pleased to inform the law enforcement community of significant progress made to resolve communication and interface issues resulting from the implementation of the STARS software upgrade at the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.” Captain John W. Clawson, Acting Commander of the Information Technology Division for the ISP went on to say “The BMV STARS System establishes Indiana as the second state (after New York) to accomplish the national initiative to standardize BMV information exchange across the country.”

Prior to the implementation of the new STARS System, in a joint effort between IDACS and the BMV, 236 records were tested for accuracy. “All of which proved the integrity of the data within the BMV database,” said Joel Silverman, Commissioner of the Indiana BMV. Mr. Silverman went on to say, “However, as with any computer software and/or hardware upgrade, there will be interface problems that affect various entities.” Commissioner Silverman provided a flow chart (BMV Chart) of the information system and how it relates to and affects the criminal justice community. From this flow chart and Mr. Silverman’s subsequent discussion, the meeting participants better understood the multiple links and connections through which information pertinent to their departments must pass.

“The information from the BMV’s STARS System is accurate and reliable.” said Mr. Silverman and all concurred that the data is valid. Chief Kehl noted that an ongoing dialogue between the BMV, IDACS, and the end users in the field can only enhance an already sound system. “It is important to note that, to date, no issues reported by law enforcement agencies have been found to be the result of incorrect data in the BMV STARS System. Every issue thus far reported has been the result of either incomplete or improperly presented information. ISP and BMV continue to analyze law enforcement concerns in an effort to provide the criminal justice community with the most effective and efficient tool possible” said Michael Eslinger, Executive Director of the Indiana Sheriffs Association.

Captain Clawson advised that IDACS training materials, online and printed, are being amended to include the STARS upgrade and STARS specific documents have been included in the IDACS System Help Sections on the IDACS website. For more information on IDACS training, please visit www.in.gov/isp/idacs and on the Omnixx toolbar under "IDACS".

The Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), The Indiana Sheriffs’ Association (ISA) and the Indiana State Police (ISP) are committed to working with and through the communication, connectivity and learning process with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and provide our complete support.