Company Info
The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS), a vital cornerstone of public safety in the state, has been entrusted with safeguarding Iowans through law enforcement, emergency response, and public safety initiatives. Headquartered in Des Moines, DPS oversees multiple divisions dedicated to various facets of law enforcement, including the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). As a key player in Iowa’s justice system, the Sex Offender Registry (SOR), a unit of the DCI, is responsible for managing sex offender data to support public safety and justice throughout the state and the nation.
Overview
The Sex Offender Registry (SOR) system serves as Iowa’s primary digital platform for managing information related to individuals convicted of qualifying sex offenses. Under Iowa law, once a person is adjudicated or convicted of a sex offense, they are legally required to register as a sex offender. The SOR system maintains all of this detailed, up-to-date information, including demographics such as date of birth, name and aliases, residential address, photographs and physical descriptions, and other relevant information required from Iowa sex offenders. The frequency with which offenders must report to the sheriff’s office is determined by the conviction and classification of the crime. Each time a sex offender reports in person, the sheriff’s office uses the SOR system to verify and update their information. The offender’s signature is collected confirming the accuracy of the data provided. Once reviewed, these updates move into a ‘pending queue,’ where DPS staff validate the information and approve the changes. From there, the system sends the approved updates to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and Iowa’s Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) for inclusion in the public-facing registry website.
The Challenge
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) confronted numerous challenges with their previous Sex Offender Registry (SOR) system, which had been in operation for over 25 years. This aging system was increasingly difficult to maintain and relied on outdated software that required installation on sheriff’s office computers, severely limiting the accessibility and mobility of the application. The process of managing the software was cumbersome, inefficient, and the software had a high monthly cost associated with it. Moreover, the legacy architecture lacked flexibility, making it time-consuming and costly to implement even minor changes. This presented significant hurdles when adapting to new state regulations or addressing evolving user needs, such as generating new reports or customizing fields for data input. The outdated SOR system had become a barrier to efficiency and modernization, prompting DPS to seek a more dynamic, cost-effective solution.
The Solution
In response to the critical challenges identified with the legacy SOR system, Zirous undertook a comprehensive redevelopment effort, building a new system from the ground up using Oracle Application Express (APEX). This modern web development framework allowed Zirous to transform the SOR into a fully web-based application, eliminating the need for sheriff’s offices to download and manage proprietary software. With this shift to a browser-based interface, the system is now accessible from any device with an internet connection, dramatically expanding the flexibility and usability of the application.
To enhance portability, Zirous also developed two versions of the SOR system. One is a web-based app accessible via computers or laptops, and the other is an iOS app designed primarily for tablets. This allows officers to access the system on-site using mobile devices, streamlining the verification process when a sex offender is unable to physically report to the sheriff’s office. Additionally, the APEX framework enables rapid customization, allowing for new reports, fields, and features to be added quickly and efficiently. A key improvement was the introduction of highlighted data changes during verification, making it easier for DPS staff to identify and review updates. This customizable approach has empowered DPS to adapt to regulatory changes and user feedback more nimbly, while significantly reducing operational costs associated with the outdated system.
The Impact
Zirous’ modernized SOR system has had a profound impact on the Department of Public Safety’s operations. By transitioning from a software-based application to a fully web-enabled platform, DPS has not only reduced the significant monthly costs associated with the previous system but has also vastly increased the availability of the application for both sheriff’s offices and DPS personnel. The flexibility offered by the new web-based system has enabled officers to access the registry remotely, improving field operations, while the mobile application version has added an additional layer of convenience.
The new SOR system also supports more efficient processes, particularly through its enhanced customization features. Changes to registry data are now processed quicker and with greater accuracy, thanks to real-time data tracking and validation improvements. The introduction of a streamlined reporting system, with ad-hoc reports available at the touch of a button, allows DPS to generate detailed, interactive insights on registry information, enhancing overall decision-making and compliance monitoring. These combined benefits have made the new SOR system an indispensable tool for DPS, enabling more effective management of Iowa’s sex offender registry and contributing to enhanced public safety.
Technologies Involved:
- Oracle Database: The backbone of the system, enabling secure, scalable, and efficient data storage and management of sex offender registration.
- Oracle APEX (Application Express): Used to build the web interface, allowing users to interact with sex offender registry data through a streamlined, customizable interface.
- Oracle Rest Data Services (ORDS): Facilitates communication between the sex offender registry system and various state and federal agencies, integrating multiple services for a seamless flow of data.
