What once took up to four months, now takes at most one day, thanks to a new machine at the Comox Valley RCMP detachment.
Dianne Israel, detachment service assistant, said the recently-acquired Live Scan machine processes civilian fingerprints for background checks, pardons, citizenship and more, expediting work which previously would take months to process.
“With the old system, we used to do ink and roll prints. It would take anywhere from two weeks to months until we got results from Ottawa. Now we get the results right away,” she explained.
After verifying identity and taking a photograph, the machine scans both hands and electrically sends the information for verification.
Israel noted for a criminal record check, there is now about a two week turnaround time, and the timing couldn’t have been better with fall sports programs and activities beginning, and parents, guardians and coaches needing checks.
Const. Don Sinclair of the Comox Valley RCMP noted there are plans in place to get a Live Scan machine for criminal police processing.