A NATIONAL CRIMINAL STATISTICS CENTER WAS FIRST PROPOSED IN 1968 TO SUPPORT AND INFORM NATIONAL CRIME POLICY. HOWEVER, WHEN LEAA WAS GIVEN STATISTICS-COLLECTING AND DISSEMINATING AUTHORITY, THE PROPOSAL FOR A NATIONAL CENTER WAS SHELVED. LEAA'S NATIONAL CRIME STATISTICS-GATHERING DIVISION, THE NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION STATISTICS SERVICE (NCJISS), SUPPORTED THE CREATION OF STATE STATISTICAL CENTERS, ILLUSTRATING THE NEED FOR OPERATIONAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS TO PRODUCE NATIONAL DATA. CURRENT RESTRAINTS ON NCJISS INCLUDE A GREAT DIVERSITY AMONG STATE NEEDS AND INADEQUATE FUNDS AND STAFFING. PROGRAM FAILURES DEMONSTRATE THAT STATISTICAL PROGRAMS REQUIRE LONG LEAD TIMES TO IMPLEMENT DATA RELEASE, AND THAT EXPERIENCED STAFF IS REQUIRED, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO KNOW DATA BASES, UNDERSTAND CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACTIVITIES, AND CAN EXPLAIN DATA IMPLEMENTATION TO POLICYMAKERS. ALTHOUGH USING THE NCJISS AS A FEDERAL BUREAU OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE STATISTICS HAS MET OPPOSITION, IT CAN STIMULATE AND ENCOURAGE STATISTICS SYSTEMS, ESPECIALLY ON THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL; AND ENCOURAGE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, QUALITY CONTROL, POLICY ANALYSIS AND MODEL DEVELOPMENT. (PAP)