Sheriff's Office Rolls Out New Fingerprinting Technology

Land O’ Lakes residents can now get their fingerprints taken at the Gulf View Square Mall without getting ink on their hands. 

The has installed a new scanner at its satellite station in the mall. Walk in and roll your fingers on the green-lit scanner, and the machine maps your digits or palm digitally.  

“This device actually saves us time and money,” said Capt. Chris Nocco.

The Cogent LiveScan system was bought as a $29,000 package that included another scanner and two printers. The sheriff's office paid for it with forfeiture dollars, Nocco said. This is money that is used during the commission of a felony and is seized by law enforcement officials during an arrest.

The package also came with a free portable Rapid ID scanner, which one deputy will start taking with him on the road. This portable scanner allows deputies to scan the fingerprints and look up the identities of suspects. The Rapid ID unit, which connects to a state database, will help deputies confirm suspects’ names and information, Nocco said. The Rapid ID is valued at $2,000.

This is the first digital fingerprinting device the sheriff’s office has purchased for use by the general public. Nocco said the sheriff’s office is the only law enforcement agency in Pasco County to offer free fingerprinting.

Last week, the office was starting to train deputies and volunteers on how to use the technology. Joe Carter, regional support engineer with the sheriff's office, demonstrated sheriff’s office staff and volunteers how to roll a finger across the scanner surface to copy the print. The results are color-coded to identify how well they turn out, Carter said. When done correctly, the print looks very similar to one made when pressing a finger into ink.

Nocco said the machine will save money on printing, ink ad time, although he didn’t have a specific dollar amount.  It also results in better prints.

The scanner is for use by residents, who will come in to get fingerprints when looking for jobs and for other reasons. The other scanner will be located at the satellite office at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel.  

“Within our volunteers, we’re going to become more efficient at providing a service to our citizenry,” Nocco said.

Residents can get their fingerprints scanned at the sheriff’s satellite office at the Gulf View Square Mall, 9409 U.S. 19, Port Richey. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday. Fingerprints can also be taken with ink and paper at the Central Support Services Building in the Land O' Lakes Detention Center Complex, but only on Fridays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.