OASIS (Oregon Agencies Simplified Information System) has been in service since about January 2004, as a tool to meet a need that was created when Regional Automated Information Network (RAIN) members who previously shared one mainframe Records Management System, split into several individual systems. When data-sharing became difficult, OASIS was an easy way to fill this void until a better, shared system could be put in place.
OASIS works by simply organizing and indexing police reports, jail booking reports, mug shot photos, and other documents, and providing a simple ‘Google-like’ search capability. Over time, non-RAIN agencies became interested and the system grew. Joining agencies signed an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA), acceding to a few simple terms, mainly: agreeing to contribute their own information and be responsible for expunging their own data. Aside from data contribution and expunction, use of the system is free.
Due to the current situation we are finding ourselves in with budgetary constraints, added duties placed upon personnel and the overall costs associated with maintaining OASIS, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office is no longer in a position to maintain this system. I know that many agencies have contributed numerous amounts of data that we have all benefited from through our investigations and OASIS has proven to be a useful tool. However, RAIN now has a very sophisticated shared system called COPLINK which has actually made OASIS obsolete for many agencies. (For more information go to www.RAINLINC.org).