A common practice for a criminal when asked by the police for their name is to use a false one, according to the Washington State Patrol. 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, according to a Washington State Patrol media release. 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 project and from the Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority, also known as 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, also known as ACCESS. Most law enforcement agencies in Washington will have the capability to view driver license photos by November.
The grant funding gave many states outside of Washington including, Oregon and Idaho the ability to share driver license photos through the ACCESS system.
The ACCESS system is managed and operated by the State Patrol’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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