VALDOSTA – The Valdosta Police Department has introduced a new, cost-effective way to fingerprint offenders by introducing a fingerprint processing room at its headquarters.

Adhering to Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies standards, the room includes security measures and camera to protect both the officer and civilian.

Previously, when offenders were arrested, they were taken to Lowndes County Jail where fingerprinting could take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, according to Valdosta Police Chief Brian Childress.

The process is necessary because certain low-level, minor offenses require criminal fingerprints for Georgia Crime Information Center regulations. Many agencies, including VPD, would have to take the offenders to jail for the fingerprints, which required the posting of a bond and unnecessary use of the jail’s capacity, Childress said.

The new processing room streamlines the process for low-level offenses, making it quicker for both the officer and the offender. Childress estimated processing within the VPD room takes 10-15 minutes, getting offenders on their way and officers back on the road.

Between Aug. 1-25, the room has already served 42 offenders, saving a minimum of $50 per offender, Childress said.

“We received positive feedback from our elected officials who were presented the idea during the Fiscal Year 2018 budget process, and also from our numerous community groups, and our officers who have reported the process is much more efficient for them. Bottom line is everyone wins,” Childress said in a statement.

Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk feels the VPD fingerprinting process could help with his goal to close part of the old jail, which was built in 1973.

“Anything we can do to reduce my jail population is fine by me,” Paulk said. “It might reduce the cost of having to house their inmates and people I have to process.”

Background fingerprints for residents will be available at the fingerprint processing room 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m. every Thursday. The cost will be $25.

Valdosta Police Department is located at 500 N. Toombs St. 

Desiree Carver is Lifestyles Editor at the Valdosta Daily Times. She can be reached at (229) 375-5777.