The Birmingham City Council on Oct. 21 authorized the mayor and police chief to sign a user agreement giving the Birmingham Police Department access to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS). The council approved funding of up to $736,560 total spread over three fiscal years.

The agreement covers a three‑year period and is budgeted as $245,520 in fiscal year 2026, $245,520 in fiscal year 2027, and $245,520 in fiscal year 2028. The funding source listed in council materials is GL137, account 01920‑01922.526‑001.

The user agreement allows BPD officers and authorized staff to query ALEA’s CJIS databases for criminal history, warrants and other law‑enforcement records. Council members approved the item after it was recommended by the Public Safety Committee; the vote was unanimous.

During floor discussion Councilor Crystal Williams reiterated an implementation concern: officers who rely on CJIS access in the field should be issued mobile data terminals (MDTs) so they can run checks during patrol rather than returning to a precinct. Williams said field MDTs affect response time, morale and operational efficiency and urged the department to equip officers who perform field reporting with mobile access.

The measure passed on final reading and is authorized for the mayor’s signature.