Division of Criminal Justice Services

Need to review your New York State criminal history or verify that you don’t have a criminal record in the state?

Learn about the Criminal History request process »

Interested in becoming a security guard? Are you a police or peace officer who wants to enhance your skills?

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Survivors of 9/11 may be eligible for no-cost healthcare and/or financial compensation through two federal government programs.

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  • With Violence and Crime Down Across New York, Governor Hochul Announces National Recognition of State’s One-of-a-Kind Network of Crime Analysis Centers

    As violence and crime continue to decline across New York State, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the State’s one-of-a-kind network of Crime Analysis Centers has been recognized with an Excellence in the Field of Criminal Justice Award, one of six presented recently by the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance to mark the 40th anniversary of the federal law that created the bureau. The State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) funds and supports 11 Crime Analysis Centers statewide in partnership with local law enforcement agencies. Staff at these Centers handled nearly 95,000 requests for service in 2023, providing critical data analysis, information and investigative support to help local law enforcement agencies deter, investigate and solve crimes. The Governor also highlighted that shootings in communities participating in the State’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative are down 26 percent through October and overall crime is down 11 percent through the first six months of the year outside of New York City – demonstrating the effectiveness of the Crime Analysis Centers’ work in support of local law enforcement agencies and numerous other ongoing crime-fighting efforts. GIVE jurisdictions account for roughly 90 percent of violent crimes involving firearms and 85 percent of violent crime reported outside New York City.

    Read the press release >>

  • New York State Commercial Security Tax Credit

    The Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) administers the state’s Commercial Security Tax Credit Program. The program provides a tax credit to small retail businesses (50 or fewer employees) that operate a physical location or locations in the state and incur costs associated with retail theft prevention measures. Businesses may be eligible for a $3,000 credit per retail location, depending on the business size and expenses.

    More information about the tax credit >>

  • New York State’s Clean Slate Act

    New York State’s Clean Slate Act takes effect Nov. 16, 2024, and provides the state Office of Court Administration (OCA) up to three years to develop the required processes to automatically seal eligible conviction records. Once that work is complete, convictions that meet certain criteria will be sealed for certain civil background check purposes.

    It is important to note that until OCA implements these sealing processes, any criminal history record provided through the DCJS Records Review process will continue to include convictions that eventually will be sealed because of Clean Slate. DCJS cannot seal records until receiving an order from the court to do so.

    NOTE: Records of individuals convicted of sex crimes and non-drug Class A felonies, including murder, will not be sealed. Police departments, sheriffs’ offices, prosecutors, the courts, and any employer permitted by law to perform fingerprint-based background checks on job applicants will continue to have access to all criminal records under the law.

    Additional information about the Clean Slate Act >>

  • New York State’s Firearm Laws: Resources and Information

    New York State’s Gun Safety website provides the public, gun owners and gun dealers with comprehensive information about the requirements detailed in state laws. Questions about the new law may be directed to 1-855-LAW-GUNS.

    Gun Safety in New York State >>

    Frequently Asked Questions >>

    Department of Environmental Conservation FAQs >>

    Minimum Standards for Firearm Safety Training >>