Time line for information

[egpenny]

1. When you run a license plate or a name through the system, how long does it take to get the information back.

2. Do you use one of the national data bases? If so what's the timeline for that.

3. Is it against regulations for you to run a license plate and then the name for someone you know, who is having a problem with somebody? Or, does there have to be a report or something more backing up a request.

The plot: A woman is being followed by a older truck and every day at work, she gets a single rose with a cryptic message asking her for help. She wants to know who is following her and what they want.

She's aware that it's not illegal for someone to follow her or send her flowers. There have been no threats. She wants to know why the person needs her help and truthfully, plans a confrontation to get answers.

She is friends with a couple of police detectives and has asked one of them for help in running the plate.

[ET109]

Can't run plates for personal purposes- i.e. a friend asked me to.

[Kimble]

She is friends with a couple of police detectives and has asked one of them for help in running the plate.

Per my state's law that would be a felony. Not saying some haven't been foolish enough to use NCIC for personal use, but for your story that's not very believable (because those detectives would be putting their careers/freedom in jeopardy in doing so).

[marinepilot]

Our agency just had a deputy arrested and charged with felony misuse of NCIC and other databases, as well as a dispatcher who is under investigation for the same thing. Don't know what they were using it for, but I'd say the majority of us wouldn't do it at all, and especially not for a friend.

In fact, I usually stop a "friend" before they ask if I feel it's going that way, and tell them that I'd like to not lose their friendship because they asked me to break the law.

[egpenny]

Ahh, that's what I was thinking. I'll rearrange things, have the detective tell her no can do. she could tail the follower and go that way. If you know an adress it's easy to get the info on who lives there.
Thank you guys, you are such a help!!

[Samuel]

Our work computers and LE databases are for official work purposes only so, if she makes an official complaint or files a report (e.g. suspicious person, possible stalking, etc), LEOs following up can certainly run the plate and go contact/interview that person...

[egpenny]

Samuel: Really a report can be filed on a suspicious person? I thought there had to be a threat or a sense of endangerment, before any reports would be considered or acted upon. The book is set in Calif. too.
Hmm, more food for thought...Thank you

[Samuel]

It all depends on what the person receiving the attention/gifts believes - how she explains the situation and what she has done to keep it from continuing, etc...

[egpenny]

Thanks for the clarification. I was thinking last night, of all the ways being indicated as a 'suspicious person' could complicate someone's life.

So many plots, so little time...LOL