THE WASHINGTON AREA LAW ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM (WALES), OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (MPD), IS A COMPUTERIZED INFORMATION SYSTEM DEDICATED TO THE PURPOSES OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE. DISCUSSIONS WITH MPD REPRESENTATIVES AND WITH SEVERAL WASHINGTON D.C. AREA SUBURBAN POLICE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNING THE WALES SYSTEM HAVE FOCUSED PRIMARILY ON A REASONABLE SYSTEM OF FINANCING FOR WALES SERVICES PROVIDED, REGIONAL USES OF WALES FOR CORRECTIONS, COURTS, AND PROSECUTORS, AND EXPANSION OF USES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. THIS PAPER DESCRIBES THE VARIOUS IMPLICATIONS OF THESE DISCUSSIONS AND PRESENTS, BY INFERENCE OR SUGGESTION, THE POSSIBLE DIRECTIONS IN WHICH WALES COULD MOVE IN TERMS OF REGIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLANNING. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)