Suspect Shot by Novi Police Officer Identified Using New Police Technology

A suspect who was shot while trying to run down a Novi police officer in Detroit Thursday was identified at the hospital using leading-edge law enforcement technology called CLEMIS Blue Check, according to a press release from the Oakland County Executive's Office. The device is a portable fingerprint scanner and identification device that ties into the fingerprint and electronic criminal records managed by Courts and Law Enforcement Management Information System (CLEMIS).

When police scanned the suspect’s thumbprint on CLEMIS Blue Check’s electronic screen, police were able to retrieve his name, image, birthdate, and extensive criminal history within 30 seconds. It identified the suspect as a 37-year-old man whose criminal record includes fraud, breaking and entering, and receiving and concealing stolen property. Police are not releasing the suspect’s name prior to arraignment on any charges that may come in this case.

“This was an outstanding use of the technology,” said Novi Police Chief and CLEMIS Chairman David Molloy. “We were able to identify the suspect while he was being treated.”

CLEMIS, which is managed by Oakland County under the leadership of County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, links about 100 public safety agencies in five counties in southeast Michigan using innovative computer technology and public safety applications.

“CLEMIS is a truly regional organization that is making our neighborhoods safer,” Patterson said.

CLEMIS Blue Check is about the size of a mobile phone. It uses Bluetooth technology to connect with the Mobile Data Computer (MDC) in a nearby police car. A police officer places the suspect’s thumb on the CLEMIS Blue Check screen; it scans the thumbprint electronically; then relays the information to the MDC which is tied into CLEMIS’ fingerprint and criminal records database. If it gets a hit, the suspect’s information appears on the MDC screen within seconds.

There are approximately 150 CLEMIS Blue Check devices deployed in the field among CLEMIS agencies in southeast Michigan.