It’s not always easy for the police around here to
identify a suspect, particularly a shifty one. But a new
tool, made possible by grant funding, makes it a little easier.
Cops often have trouble figuring out who someone is,
particularly if they don’t provide any identification on them (or
they do, but it’s bogus). They’ve long had to rely on a physical
description for such folks, and that doesn’t always mean they’re
able to successfully figure out who they are.
A pot of $300,000 later, and now everyone’s mug — at least those
of us with Washington state driver’s licenses — is available to a
police officer in his or her patrol car’s onboard computer.
Officials are quick to tout the potential benefits. A person who
successfully lies about their identity could be covering up the
fact they have a warrant for their arrest, for instance. The system
should be in place for most law enforcement agencies around the
state by November.
Here’s the full press release from the Washington State
Patrol:
(Olympia) – A common practice for a criminal when asked by the
police for their name is to use a false one. But, it just got
easier for police to confirm a suspect’s real identity.
Previously, police officers had to rely on text descriptions of
physical characteristics to make a positive identification. New
computer capabilities now give police throughout Washington the
ability to retrieve driver license photos. Police can use
their in-car computer to quickly and efficiently confirm the
identity of the people they contact.
“This is about catching bad guys who are trying to deceive us by
using fake names,” said State Patrol Chief John Batiste. “We are
now able to quickly determine the real identity of these
people.”
A $300,000 grant through the State, Regional and Federal
Enterprise Retrieval System (SRFERS) project and from the
Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority (WATPA) has made it
possible for police officers to quickly confirm an individual’s
identity with a copy of a Department of Licensing photo.
“The WATPA board members were convinced that providing this new
technology to officers in the field would aid in the preservation
of public safety and in the apprehension of offenders including
those who engage in auto theft,” said Don Pierce, WATPA Chair. “We
are extremely pleased with the results of this grant program.”
Lewis County Sheriff’s Office is the first agency in the state
to have the ability to view DOL photos through the State Patrol’s A
Central Computerized Enforcement Service System (ACCESS).
Most law enforcement agencies in Washington will have the
capability to view driver license photos through ACCESS by
November, 2011.
“We are very thankful for this emerging technology. Our
office has been progressive in keeping up with ever changing
technology and utilizing it to keep our community safe,” said Lewis
County Sheriff Steve Mansfield.
“Having DOL pictures instantaneously will help us in a lot of
ways, including identifying people for criminal investigations,
traffic stops, hit and run collisions, and helping identify missing
or lost people,” he explained.
The grant funding by SRFERS gave many states outside of
Washington including, Oregon and Idaho the ability to share driver
license photos through the ACCESS system. The funding by
WATPA gave police agencies from around the state the same ability
to use the system to quickly retrieve a copy of a driver’s license
photo and make positive identification.
The ACCESS system is managed and operated by the WSP’s Criminal
Records Division and is designed to give law enforcement the
ability to query multiple state and national databases as a tool in
the administration of criminal justice.
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