The Region : LAPD’s I.D. System OKd

Purchase of a $6.4-million computerized fingerprint identification system that police officials say will significantly speed arrests was approved unanimously by the Los Angeles City Council. Expected to be operational early next year in Parker Center, the system will rapidly search files for prints that match those gathered at crime scenes. The council earlier had adopted a Police Department recommendation to develop its own system, rather than join a similar, countywide system. While the regional system was less expensive, LAPD officials argued that it did not have adequate capacity for their needs.