Mobile Fingerprint Devices To Be Used by NC Law Enforcement
According to the Raleigh News & Observer, thirteen police agencies within the state will begin a new program next month—one that allows them to scan fingerprints with a hand held device, checking them against a database while out in the field. While supporters state it’s just an additional tool to help cops identify the people they deal with, critics site potential privacy risks.
The American Civil Liberties Union questions what will be done with the fingerprint scans, concerned they may be saved and misused. Policy director for the NC ACLU states “Part of the danger is the idea of the government creating a database on its citizens…citizens should be allowed some degree of privacy.”
Another concern is the potential risk of racial profiling, using the fingerprint scans against Latino citizens because there may be doubt of their driving privilege status, identity, or immigration status.
City-County Bureau of Identification (CCBI), the agency that processes fingerprints for Wake County and other areas says the concern is unfounded. He states the data scanned will not be retained even in instances where charges are filed. Fingerprinting procedures done within police custody will remain the main source of record keeping, not some street side mobile printing.
The ACLU has requested more information from the agency including details on a similar pilot program that took place in Charlotte last month. The software being used on the devices is known as Rapid Identification COPS technology and the CCBI claims it is not designed to store the data scanned.
Agencies using the mobile devices include Raleigh Police and Wake County Sheriff’s Office. All of the agencies will reportedly sign an agreement which outlines in which circumstances the devices can be used. Interestingly, the reports in local media don’t specify in which instances they can be used, leaving that particular important piece of information apparently for officials only.
One can only hope the mobile fingerprint devices will only be employed in instances where identification is doubted or cannot be determined and that knowledge is pertinent to enforcing the law. The potential abuses of these machines are great though it appears we will just have to sit back and wait to see if they are used with proper consideration given to civil liberties.
Whether you are pulled over for suspicion of DUI or reckless driving, being arrested by the police in a traffic setting can be unnerving. It’s normal to question their motives and doubt their concern about your rights. Too often what we read about online or see on the news shows us that the police aren’t as concerned with our rights as citizens as they are “catching bad guys”.
When you are facing criminal charges and need someone on your side—a criminal defense attorney is your best option.
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