During a press conference today, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott unveiled new mobile technology that will greatly enhance the Department’s ability to capture criminals and identify suspects.

Sheriff Lott continues to search for innovative ways to fight crime – pursuing new technology and programs that will effectively help in identifying those that would victimize our citizens. To that end Richland County Sheriff's Department has purchased, using forfeiture funds, computer server and software program and (27) twenty-seven Blue Check Devices; all part of the Saf-Id/Rapid ID program from Data Works Plus Corporation (www.dataworksplus.com ). 

The first of its kind in South Carolina, the Blue Check devices are a tool that assists Deputies in confirming the identity of and to check for local warrants on suspicious persons or those arrested using their fingerprint. Sheriff Lott states that time and again suspicious persons will be stopped by deputies and lie about their identity or about having outstanding warrants. With the use of the “read only” Blue Check devices the Deputies can very quickly confirm their identity and if there are local warrants. The devices do not save the person’s fingerprint but checks the person’s fingerprint against those booked in to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. The Blue Check device is assigned to a Master Deputy (supervisor) on each patrol squad and that device is linked to the Master Deputy’s patrol car’s mobile data terminal. Within minutes the identity can be confirmed not only increasing the deputies’ efficiency but also making our communities safer.

Sheriff Lott stated that by not using taxpayer’s money to deploy new and innovative technology is extremely important. By being a good steward of our County finances is a very high priority; while fighting crime and making our neighborhoods safer is the highest.