State lawmakers want to make sure police are able to verify that they’re arresting the right person. Legislation at the Capitol would give police in the field access to the state’s database of driver’s license and ID photos.
State Representative Kitty Rhoades (R-Hudson says that information would help to protect police by helping them identify a suspect. Currently, officers can only access a physical description of someone from their car, which can leave them with little to go on when a person doesn’t have a photo ID.
Rhoades says that’s an issue when because some people will lie about their identity, especially if they have a criminal history. She says that can put officers at risk then because they may not know who they’re dealing with.
It can also put innocent people at risk as well. Rhoades says one man in her district was charged with a crime after someone claimed to be him during an arrest. The charges were dropped, but remained on his record. The Hudson Republican says the man believes that has made it harder for him to find work, even though he did nothing wrong.
The bill is being considered by an Assembly committee.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:03)