Southampton Village Police Among Those to Receive Funds For New Equipment

The Suffolk County Police Department, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, and the Southampton Village Police Department recently secured State funds to replace aging electronic fingerprinting equipment, according to Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor).

In total, almost $710,000 in state grants were awarded to 51 police departments and sheriffs’ offices across the state in order to buy new electronic fingerprinting equipment.

The Suffolk County Police Department is expected to receive $150,000 to replace 15 devices at 12 separate locations,
Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office was awarded $10,000, and the Southampton Village Police Department was awarded $10,000.

All fingerprints taken in connection with arrests must be submitted electronically to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services - the state’s repository of criminal history record information - and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Digital fingerprint technology enables law enforcement agencies and the courts to instantly receive an arrestee’s
positive identification and any past criminal history and warrant information from the state.

This information is crucial in determining how cases against arrested individuals proceed, including whether bail is set by the court.