The Bureau of Criminal Identification department n...

The Bureau of Criminal Identification department needs changes/updates to their protocol.

I emailed asking if they had fingerprinting on FD-258 cards. The following day, I had called as I had not heard a response back. The female agent who answered the phone said that they saw my email and was checking before responding. She confirmed that they did have the cards available and the cost would be $5 per card for an out of county resident. I didn't know if I was eligible for this as I had just moved to Franklin Park and had alerted the agent that I only have a credit card statement with my name and address on it. She said that wouldn't count and I told her I was fine with paying the 10 dollars for the 2 cards I needed. I had booked my appointment and she had provided me with instructions on how to get to the building and the metered street parking as I have never been there before.

Day 1 of going to get fingerprinting: After being checked through security, as the lady is walking me back to the area to be fingerprinted, she asks for my 2 forms of ID. To this, I am confused as I was never informed that 2 forms of ID were required (not mentioned on the phone call when scheduling the appointment, and not mentioned on the website anywhere). She stated that 2 forms of ID were needed and to reschedule. I rescheduled my appointment for the following day the same time.

Day 2: I checked in and passed through security. The same lady from yesterday walks me back. She asks for my 2 forms of ID to which I show her. She takes me back into the room for fingerprinting and tells me to take a seat. She then asks for my personal check for payment. I am confused by this request and tell her I have cash and credit/debit cards and if they accept those. She tells me they do not and only accepts checks and that I will need to reschedule my appointment. At this point I am irritated that I need to come back a 3RD TIME all because the two female agents/officers that I had spoken to in person and over the phone FAILED to inform/mention any of this to me. Keeping in mind that they have specific hours and days for fingerprinting available, I rescheduled for the following week as I am only able to come during my 1 hour lunch break. The trip out to the sheriff's office is 1.5 hr round trip which required me to ask my manager for extra time off lunch. I am unable to schedule for any other times as I do not get paid for the hours I do not work.

Day 3: I had gone to my bank to request a check over the weekend as I did not have a personal checkbook on hand. I had also emailed them again asking for a list of requirements incase the female agent from the 1st and 2nd days had forgot to inform me of something else again. The email had stated to bring a check that's made out to "Somerset County Treasurer" for a total of $10 for the 2 fingerprint cards I needed. I arrive with my 2 forms of ID and my check. This week, it was a male officer instead of the female from last week. He seemed like he was aware that I had "issues" the past times I've came and tried to be sympathetic. While he was reviewing and filling out some paperwork, I had asked him to review the check to make sure its OK. He took a look and informed me to fill out "fingerprinting" on the "for" section of the check and I should be good. The process moves forward and I was able to get the fingerprint cards and the male officer escorts me out as I was finished.

I got home and returned to work. I receive a voicemail from the same male officer stating that "I" forgot to endorse the check and requested for me to come back to endorse it. I cannot answer calls nor call back until I am done with work as I had already exhausted my lunch time and breaks to make it out to these appointments. Additionally, blaming it on the customer when I had specifically asked him to review the check is HILARIOUS. I WILL NOT be going back a 4TH TIME just to endorse the check for $10. I had already wasted gas and 4.5 hours of my time for the these 3 occurrences.