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Sparks approves $19,500 JAG subaward for limited facial‑recognition investigative tool
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Summary
The Sparks City Council unanimously accepted a $19,500 Edward Byrne JAG subaward to support a regional facial‑recognition case‑management project; police chief emphasized training, limited access and disclaimers that results are investigative leads, not positive identifications.
The Sparks City Council unanimously approved acceptance of an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) subaward totaling $19,500 to fund facial‑recognition and morphological comparison tools for investigative use, Police Chief Chris Croftworth said April 27.
Chief Croftworth told council the total award appears in two state grant documents (one for $16,001.72 and a second for $3,327.64) and that the combined $19,500 would pay for software, morphological‑comparison capability and training certified to FBI standards. He said access would be limited to crime analysts who complete the required training and certification and that the system is an investigative aid, not standalone proof.
The chief outlined safeguards: only a small, certified group of analysts would use the system; any facial‑image comparison would carry a standard disclaimer that it is not a positive identification and that further investigation is required before any adverse action. He and council members discussed past incidents and emphasized the technology would be used as one piece of an investigative puzzle.
Member VanderWeil moved to accept the grant; Member Rodriguez seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
No amendments to policy were made at the meeting; council directed staff to proceed with accepting the award as described.
