I received an envelope from CAP HQ today. They said they were going to knock me back down to "Patron" status unless I submitted a new fingerprint card. I guess the prior card (done by the squadron) was not of the quality needed. Unfortunately the local police department doesn't do fingerprinting using ink anymore (everything is digital).
So my question is what is the best way to get some quality prints submitted? Has anyone done it themselves without much trouble? I also checked out the Yellow Pages, it seems like a few places offer fingerprinting services. Thoughts?
I am not sure what you mean by the police department not using ink for the fingerprints. Our police department basically uses a digital scanner (no pun intended) and then prints it out on the fingerprint card. No ink to clean off the fingers but the fingerprint card looked fine. National had no problem with it.
I received an FBI fingerprint card from CAP HQ.
How did the digital images get on the card? Or did the police just give you their own card?
The inkless methods usually use some sort of scanner or platen glass they roll your fingers on. The captured image can usually be printed onto a standard fingerprint card. Just as with ink, a lousy roll will result in a lousy fingerprint card. You may be asked to pay a small fee for the fingerprinting service and card.
You can always try the squadron again. Or you can try your local CG Aux unit -- they actually have folks that have gotten a little training in how to do it right.
IIRC, UPS Stores do fingerprints. At least, the one here in town does.
My unit is lucky, our new commander (a long-time member) is the bureau chief for the state police basic academy and he can roll prints like nobody's business when he brings the kit. Ink pad and a table? Uhh, not quite so good :)
Our local police department uses the fingerprint card we give them. It is provided by National. Be sure and tell them you are getting it for CAP, a non-profit organization. They might do it for free. Out here they waive the fee for non-profits.
The nice thing about the inkless method is they can check and see if you have a good print and re-roll the ones that are marginal. I use to roll a lot of prints and you really have to control the person's hand to get a good print using ink. With the inkless, it seemed they needed a lot less pressure and control to get a good print.
I love the AFIS machine. Unless you live in Mayberry the jail should have one. Its simple, put your CAP FP card in the card holder, the officer does one finger at a time and the machine will tell you whether its an acceptable print or not. when done hit print and walla a pretty set of fingerprints printed on the card.
If you try to do them at the Sqdn dont use stamp pads, as to much ink gets on the fingers and makes a mess.
And remember TIFO and roll from nail to nail.
-- Thumb In Fingers Out--
I normally give new members two fingerprint cards, this insures that there is an instant "backup" for them to try.
Just do the card again and resubmit. There is no "qualification" to do fingerprints. You wife, friend, kid, neighbor can do them. YOU can do them if you can twist your hand at the proper angles. Just roll the pad of your finger all the way across the box and youll be good. Ive probably literally dont thousands of prints in ink and on the live scan machine working in booking at the jail! Wheeeew....those were long nights.
When I was a unit commander, the local PD wouldn't do it for us, so I got a nurse who worked the nursery at one of the hospitals to do it. They get experience printing the babies.
Never got a card returned....... so you might try a nurse
Mail me your fingers and a card. Ill get them right back to you, guaranteed.
We got a finger print set and do them ourslelves. We have had a couple kick back so we redo and send them back.
I lost more new members over finger prints (I.e. go to the LE desk and get them done) then over anyone one thing. Not because they did not want to do them but it was incovient.
So we got our own kit.
I'm of two minds about that -- one the one hand its a good idea to make it as easy as possible for someone to get the materials they need in order to join, but on the other hand if they can't be bothered to find a place to get fingerprints done, they must not really be that interested in joining. Also, you might not have gotten some of those people back because they knew they wouldn't check out and there is no way to tell those from the lazy, not-really-interested types.
Quote from: RiverAux on February 15, 2009, 09:55:12 PM
I'm of two minds about that -- one the one hand its a good idea to make it as easy as possible for someone to get the materials they need in order to join, but on the other hand if they can't be bothered to find a place to get fingerprints done, they must not really be that interested in joining. Also, you might not have gotten some of those people back because they knew they wouldn't check out and there is no way to tell those from the lazy, not-really-interested types.
Can't say I agree with that logic. A unit that has the foresight to be able to do fingerprints "in house," is progressive in its outlook. These days it is getting more and more difficult and a bit expensive to find a place that can accomodate fingerprints.
Most local Law Enforcement places in our area do not do them, some charge a fee per card. There is one station in Robstown, Texas that does it but that is pretty far from Corpus Christi to be able to get it done during a lunch break.
Many times it is not a much "sloth" as it is being availble during reasonable time. Unless you suggest someone take a day off just to do this. I would prefer to have them take a day off later to assist in Hurricane Relief or something more meaningful than fingerprints.
Quote from: RiverAux on February 15, 2009, 09:55:12 PM
I'm of two minds about that -- one the one hand its a good idea to make it as easy as possible for someone to get the materials they need in order to join, but on the other hand if they can't be bothered to find a place to get fingerprints done, they must not really be that interested in joining. Also, you might not have gotten some of those people back because they knew they wouldn't check out and there is no way to tell those from the lazy, not-really-interested types.
No...the were all military types a an overseas base. The fingerprint department was run by the navy who only did it one day a week and if the one person who did them was out on patrol or at another appointment then they would be turned away. It took me three tries over a month and a half to get mine done.
Finger prints was a real problem. So I fixed the problem. Here at Nellis there is a cost involved if the local PD does it so we help out with our own kit.
don't get me wrong, if you've got someone able to do it in house, by all means do so.
Quote from: Chicago_Pilot on February 15, 2009, 02:01:06 AM
I received an envelope from CAP HQ today. They said they were going to knock me back down to "Patron" status unless I submitted a new fingerprint card. I guess the prior card (done by the squadron) was not of the quality needed. Unfortunately the local police department doesn't do fingerprinting using ink anymore (everything is digital).
So my question is what is the best way to get some quality prints submitted? Has anyone done it themselves without much trouble? I also checked out the Yellow Pages, it seems like a few places offer fingerprinting services. Thoughts?
What about your local Sheriff's office? When I did mine, the local PD charged $25 a pop, so I went across the hall to the Sheriff which did it for free.
Quote from: lordmonar on February 15, 2009, 11:07:57 PM
Here at Nellis there is a cost involved if the local PD does it so we help out with our own kit.
Send them to the North Las Vegas Police Department fingerprint office, corner of Lake Mead Blvd and Bruce. The NLVPD will fingerprint CAP applicants for free. Just let them know it is for a CAP application.
Quote from: Major Carrales on February 15, 2009, 04:49:30 PM
I normally give new members two fingerprint cards, this insures that there is an instant "backup" for them to try.
I do the same thing. I've had enough of my own prints taken for security clearances, the times I joined CAP, and the few times I've joined different branches of the military (yes, for each time I joined the Guard, even when I got a conditional release to move from Air Guard to Army Guard). Fairly easy for me to do ours. A backup card never hurts. Since I started sending two cards instead of one, I've never had anything returned.
I would be willing to bet, that if you (meaning members) set up a meeting with the local PD or Sheriff and explained to the what CAP was and why we needed fingerprints you could get someone "trained".
Go in and explain to them what it is about and see if a desk Sgt or someone can run you through a couple of cards for practice. Word of advice....bring your own cards and ink. I would walk in in your blues or in a professional outfit and set a meeting.
I have an IDEA!!!! At the next conference or Wing or Group Activity, have some put on a 15 minute "Fingerprint your new Members" Course! Charging someone $20-$25 to have their prints done is robbery on top of the already $88 membership fee!
I think around here the local LEOs charge anywhere from $5 to $15 to get prints taken. We had a member that is a retired State Bureau of Investigation agent that printed all our new members, but he's gone inactive. And then some of the local LEOs might do it only one day a week. I learned how to take prints when I was in college, but I haven't done it in about 20+ years.
I like the idea about having a course at the next Wing conference. I'm gonna suggest it to our planning people. Thanks for the idea.
At least here in California, there are lots of commercial fingerprinting services. You could find one through Yahoo Yellow Pages.
Some police departments still do traditional prints, especially smaller ones Call around. Try a college public safety department.
I got 3 cards when I got my CWP. 1 to the state, 1 to CAP, one for my records. Digitals worked just fine for all.
Wow....Im going to go into business for myself. "Bobs prints, You bring your fingers and we'll do the rest."