High-tech fingerprint program in Washington aims to protect children

Published: 2004-02-25

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Bernadette Klaiber takes special pride in her job as a fingerprint technician for the Archdiocese of Washington, processing the prints of employees and volunteers who have substantial contact with children. "It's to protect the children," said Klaiber, whose 11 years of experience in law enforcement include earlier work as a police officer for the government and for the military. "That's pretty much why I took the job. I feel great about what I'm doing. I'm helping to assist the archdiocese with a program to protect kids," she told the Catholic Standard, newspaper of the Washington Archdiocese. Since the mid-1990s, archdiocesan employees who have substantial contact with children have been required to complete an application and also submit to a criminal history record check. The same policy has been in effect for volunteers since 1999. According to the policy, these workers include principals, teachers, counselors, librarians, food service workers, maintenance staff, catechists, child care providers, youth ministers and coaches. Clergy, religious and applicants to the priesthood also must undergo criminal history record checks before working with children.

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