Orlando CRC Michael Prather (right) trains Alafaya Station
Retail Associate Joanne Phelps (left) how to take fingerprints as part of a
pilot program between USPS and the FBI.
Two years ago, the Postal Service launched a digital fingerprinting pilot with the FBI. Now USPS is looking to extend digital fingerprinting with other government agencies in hopes of attracting more business for this type of service.
The Suncoast District in Central Florida has three fingerprinting sites: Oldsmar, and the Herndon and Alafaya stations in Orlando.
“Herndon has been up and running for over a year; Alafaya Station was started recently out of need,” said Orlando Customer Relations Coordinator Michael Prather, who serves as district coordinator for the Identity History Summary Checks (IdHSC) program.
Prather said there are currently 140 sites nationwide with more to open soon. He is unsure whether any additional sites are planned in the district at this time.
As district coordinator, it’s Prather’s responsibility to set-up equipment and train office staff on the process of accepting and submitting prints. The training includes everything from logging into the computer, inputting test numbers and working through the flow of taking fingerprints.
“Any RSS-trained and certified clerk should be trained because the process involves taking the prints as well as a transaction at the RSS station,” he said.
Although no appointment is necessary, individuals must be
over age 18. They must apply on the FBI website and register at www.usps.com before heading to a participating postal
site. For a complete list of USPS fingerprinting locations, visit https://www.edo.cjis.gov/#/org/USPS.
