U.S. Department of Justice and Office of Prosecutor General Implement Total Information Management System (TIMS) in Prosecutors’ Offices (June 21, 2006)

Today, U.S. Ambassador Ries, Prosecutor General Sollaku, and Interior Minister Olldashi participated in a ceremony to launch the implementation of the Total Information Management System (TIMS) in prosecutors’ offices. The U.S. Department of Justice, through the Overseas Prosecutorial Development Assistance and Training program (OPDAT), is implementing the project in cooperation with the Office of the Prosecutor General (OPG).

The $400,000-project will provide TIMS capabilities to all 31 prosecutors’ offices in Albania to enable computerized case management.  This joint project involves purchasing and installing computer equipment, providing secure interconnection of the computer networks in each prosecutor’s office, and training on the new system. The Office of the Prosecutor General will also provide additional equipment, training, and maintenance of the system.

Since October 2005, the OPG, with assistance from OPDAT and the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP), has installed TIMS computer equipment in the OPG, the Serious Crimes Prosecution Office, and the district prosecutors’ offices in Tirana, Durrës, Shkodër, and Gjirokastër.  Installation is near completion in six additional district prosecutors’ offices and over 130 prosecutors and support personnel have received training so far.

Upon completion, the Prosecutor TIMS project will interconnect all district prosecutors’ offices with the State Police TIMS network, and enable prosecutors to access information about criminal history, arrest warrants, fugitives, stolen vehicles and other investigative data.  TIMS will also enable the OPG to provide detailed reporting and statistical information, and to access InterPol information. 

The second phase of the Prosecutor TIMS project, later this year, will include installation of a computerized case management system.  Together with the State Police’s comparable system, the Prosecutor TIMS will provide transparent case tracking from the time an incident is reported by the police through to the prosecution and any further court proceedings.

TIMS is an integrated information management platform made up of four linked information systems which meet U.S. and EU standards.  Its four modules include border control, criminal records, case management, and criminal intelligence information.

OPDAT and ICITAP are U.S. Department of Justice programs designed to assist criminal justice systems throughout the world to meet international standards in law enforcement.   ICITAP programs primarily focus on police development while OPDAT offers assistance and training to prosecutors.

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