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Organization: Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station
Date: January 22, 2008
SCV Sheriffs Deploy Mobile Identification Technology
SCV Sheriffs: Maintaining the Technological Edge — The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station has taken yet another step in deploying and maintaining the latest in cutting edge law enforcement technology to better protect our community.
Recently, under the direction of Sheriff Lee Baca, the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station received nine Cogent Systems BlueCheck mobile identification devices. These devices aid deputies in the field with investigation and arrest procedures by utilizing a secure wireless fingerprint device, Bluetooth technology, and a PDA or BlackBerry cellular phone system. The BlueCheck devices utilize the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's secure network to allow deputies to perform a rapid fingerprint check of subjects in the field, compare fingerprints to over 4 million known criminal subjects, and receive an identification response within minutes. Using the device, deputies with consent; arrest authority; appropriate legal standing and other contributing factors;or under varying legal circumstances involving contiguous events, case law, reasonable suspicion, and other supporting legal factors, can check and verify the fingerprints of a detained individual all within about two minutes time.
What's more, the deputies can now reduce the inconvenience to an unlicensed driver, who does not have identification in their possession, by potentially verifying their identity using the device, then simply issuing a citation and releasing them in the field. In the past, the motorist in violation of the law without identification would have required booking into the jail at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station in order to verify their identity. Because of the frequency of deputies contacting unlicensed drivers without identification, this new device and process will streamline arrest procedures in some cases, reduce the time commitment of the deputy and jailer, and free up deputies and resources for other community enforcement and protection efforts. The end result will be less inconvenience, reduced costs, safer roadways, and safer communities.
Station officials are excited about the new technology and believe it may also, under some circumstances, aid in identifying potentially dangerous or wanted individuals that may have otherwise gone undetected or attempted to evade capture by using a false identity. The new tool may also help in reducing the possibility of falling victim to a person using false identity in the commission of a crime. It will also aid in stopping other incidents of identity theft. The ability to biometrically identify a subject in the field within minutes is a huge leap forward in improving the safety of our communities and our deputies.
"We will continue our aggressive efforts to explore and implement new and advanced technology," said Captain Anthony La Berge. "Our proactive law enforcement and protection efforts help us stay a step ahead of those intent on wrong doing and best protect our community." Several success stories have occurred throughout Los Angeles County where felons with longstanding warrants were identified and arrested by patrol deputies utilizing the Cogent BlueCheck to identify the subject. Sheriff's officials at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station expect to see similar success stories as a result of the deployment and use of these devices in the Santa Clarita Valley.
About BlueCheck BlueCheck is a Bluetooth-enabled mobile fingerprint scanner for law enforcement applications. Weighing only 3 ounces, the BlueCheck is equipped with a durable LCD display for real-time feedback, a 500 dpi fingerprint sensor, and Cogent's SecurASIC technology for embedded encryption, image compression, and on-device matching. Used with Cogent's MobileID (TM) and Web ID(TM) applications, BlueCheck allows users to quickly and easily perform in-the-field fingerprint capture and identifications. Using Bluetooth communication, BlueCheck can remotely transfer secure captured fingerprint data to any COTS Bluetooth-enabled PDA, laptop, or BlackBerry device. This modular feature enables law enforcement agencies to configure the use of BlueCheck with their existing equipment and infrastructure. With Cogent's BlueCheck host applications, the host device can submit ANSI/NIST format files via SMTP or FTP to a remote server, or to a statewide Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). BlueCheck receives the search results from the host and displays the results on its LCD display, providing timely and accurate information for law enforcement personnel.
If You See Something, Say Something! Report non-emergency crime anonymously by visiting the following link: Crime Tips or calling (661) 284-2-TIP / (661) 284-2847.
