Law enforcement agencies throughout the nation and around the world are increasingly adopting Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) systems to enhance the enforcement and investigative capabilities, expand our ability to analyze relevant data, and expedite the tedious and time consuming process of comparing vehicle license plates with lists of stolen, wanted, and other vehicles of interest.
The following is our new policy on the Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) program.
Policy 426
Roseville Police Department
POLICY MANUAL
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2018/08/02, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Roseville Police Department
Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs)
426.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance for the use of digital data obtained through the use of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology.
426.2 POLICY
All ALPR data and images accessed are for the official use of this department. Because such data may contain confidential information, it is not open to public review.
426.3 DEFINITIONS
1. AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER (ALPR)- A device that uses camera and computer technology to capture license plate numbers and vehicle photos with date, time, and GPS coordinate information at time of detection.
2. STATIONARY ALPR CAMERA– All ALPR cameras will have at least one ALPR camera integrated to detect license plate information in at least one direction.
3. DETECTION – Data obtained by an ALPR within the public view that is captured, including images of the license plate and vehicle, with GPS information regarding the location, date, and time of the ALPR read.
4. HIT– A notification from the ALPR system that alerts the users that a license plate scanned by the ALPR may be in National Crime Information Center (NCIC) or other law enforcement database or that the vehicle is on a “Hot List” for a specific reason, including, but not limited to, being related to a stolen car, wanted person, missing person, domestic violence protective order, or terrorist-related activity.
5. CAR-DETECTOR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CDMS) – Automatic plate recognition software used via mobile cameras to capture and store license plate and vehicle detections.
6. HOT LIST – License plate(s) associated with vehicles of interest from various databases, including, but not limited to, NCIC, DOJ, DMV, IJIS Warrant, and local investigations.
7. SPECIAL HOT LIST – Created solely to bring the officers’ attention to specific vehicles
that have been associated with criminal activity. Special Hot Lists will be generated
by comparing data from several sources including WebKPF, SSD RMS, and DMV.
8. ALPR ADMINISTRATOR – Any person authorized to create or disable, monitor, and audit user accounts.
9. LAW ENFORCEMENT ARCHIVAL REPORTING NETWORK (LEARN) – The datamining and analytics system for searching Vigilant Solutions ALPR detections.
10. TARGET ALERT SERVICE (TAS) – A software program installed in patrol vehicles and on desktops for direct notification of Hits via ALPR technology.
426.4 ADMINISTRATION
The ALPR technology, also known as License Plate Recognition (LPR), allows for the automated
detection of license plates. It is used by the Roseville Police Department to convert data associated with vehicle license plates for official law enforcement purposes, including identifying stolen or wanted vehicles, stolen license plates and missing persons. It may also be used to gather information related to active warrants, homeland security, active criminal investigations, suspect interdiction and stolen property recovery.
All ALPR data access, shall be managed by the Services Division Captain or designee. The Services Division Captain or designee will assign members under his/her command to administer the access to the ALPR data.
426.4.1 ALPR ADMINISTRATOR
The Services Division Captain or designee shall be responsible for developing guidelines and procedures to comply with the requirements of Civil Code § 1798.90.5 et seq. This includes, but is not limited to (Civil Code § 1798.90.51; Civil Code § 1798.90.53):
(a) A description of the job title or other designation of the members and independent contractors who are authorized to use or access the ALPR system or to collect ALPR information.
(b) Training requirements for authorized users.
(c) A description of how the ALPR system will be monitored to ensure the security of the information and compliance with applicable privacy laws.
(d) Procedures for system operators to maintain records of access in compliance with Civil Code § 1798.90.52.
(e) The title and name of the current designee overseeing the ALPR operation.
(f) Working with the Custodian of Records on the retention and destruction of ALPR data.
(g) Ensuring this policy and related procedures are conspicuously posted on the department’s website.
ALPR administrators shall:
(a) Ensure all ALPR system equipment that it installs is inspected on a quarterly basis to ensure that there is no visible damage, that it functions properly, and that any upgrades are installed.
(b) Coordinate the training for all users of the CDMS and LEARN programs.
(c) Conduct quarterly audits of LEARN user queries.
(d) Update access to the database for users who show a continued need for it.
426.5 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
ALPR systems shall be deployed for official law enforcement purposes, including, but not limited to
(a) Locating stolen vehicles, wanted or missing persons, or vehicles, or identifying stolen license plates as designated on various Hot Lists.
(b) Canvassing areas surrounding recent crimes to capture vehicle license plates in an attempt to locate vehicles that may have been connected to the crimes.
(c) Other uses as approved and documented by an appropriate supervisor or ALPR administrator.
(d) ALPR or TAS hits shall NOT be the sole basis for an enforcement or investigative stop. Independent reasonable suspicion or probable cause is required before making a traffic stop.
426.6 OPERATIONS
Use of ALPR data is restricted to the purposes outlined below. Department members shall not use, or allow others to use the database records for any unauthorized purpose (Civil Code §
1798.90.51; Civil Code § 1798.90.53).
(a) ALPR data shall only be used for official law enforcement business.
(b) ALPR data may be used in conjunction with any routine patrol operation or criminal investigation. Reasonable suspicion or probable cause is not required before accessing ALPR data.
(c) No ALPR end user may access department, state or federal data unless otherwise authorized to do so.
(d) The officer shall verify an ALPR response through the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) before taking enforcement action that is based solely on an ALPR alert.
426.6.1 POLICE VEHICLES OUTFITTED WITH MOBILE ALPR CAMERAS
When practicable, any Roseville PD vehicle outfitted with a mobile ALPR system should terminate their involvement in a vehicle pursuit under the following conditions:
(a) Upon arrival of a sufficient number of emergency police vehicles.
(b) Upon the arrival of a police helicopter.
(c) When terminated by a supervisor.
ALPR-Equipped vehicle operators shall:
(a) Ensure the ALPR cameras are properly affixed to the assigned police vehicle prior to start of shift and inspected for damage or excessive wear.
(b) Start the CDMS ALPR software to activate the system at the beginning of each shift.
(c) Ensure the ALPR system is operational by confirming all cameras, LEARN, GPS, and system lights are green upon full start-up of the system.
(d) Conduct a search of their Detections through LEARN at least once a shift to ensure that Detections are uploading properly.
Deployment:
(a) ALPR units on marked vehicles shall be activated and used at all times.
(b) shall only be used by Department personnel who have proper clearance and have been trained on how to use the ALPR equipment.
(c) Officers shall not operate ALPR-equipped vehicles until they are trained, and an ALPR user account has been issued to them.
(d) All confirmed stolen vehicle hits shall be broadcasted and a stolen vehicle call shall be created to attempt to recover the occupied vehicle.
(e) If the ALPR vehicle operator is unable to recover an unoccupied stolen vehicle at the time of the detection, a stolen vehicle recovery call shall be created.
426.6.2 INOPERABLE OR DAMAGED ALPR EQUIPMENT
Upon discovery of any ALPR equipment that is inoperable or damaged, officers shall:
(a) Not attempt to repair defective or inoperable ALPR equipment and immediately notify an ALPR Administrator and their Supervisor.
(b) Document damage or vandalism to any fixed ALPR camera, ALPR equipment, or a mobile trailer in a crime report and notify the ALPR Administrator. Damaged or vandalized mobile trailers shall be returned to the police facility by a trained officer.
(c) Document damage or malfunction to any LPR equipment installed on a police vehicle on a Department Memo and forward to the ALPR Administrator.
NOTE: Standard maintenance or repair shall be handled by the Police garage staff.
426.6.3 ALPR/TAS HITS
ALPR/TAS hits shall be broadcast in a timely fashion so that Dispatch can confirm the status of the wanted vehicle and ensure officer and public safety.
(a) Officers broadcasting ALPR/TAS hits from a vehicle shall have Dispatch confirm vehicle status on the appropriate radio channel and not run the plate via the MDC prior to broadcast.
(b) Personnel broadcasting ALPR/TAS hits from a desktop shall confirm the vehicle status prior to broadcast on the appropriate radio channel.
ALPR/TAS hits shall be dispatched as provided below:
(a) ALPR/TAS hits shall be entered as a call for service using the appropriate TAS call type to classify the incident.
(b) Dispatchers receiving ALPR/TAS hit information shall enter a call for service and
1. Confirm the license plate status by running a CLETS/NCIC query and attaching the results to the incident.
2. Obtain the vehicle description and direction of travel.
3. Make the appropriate broadcast based on the circumstances surrounding the hit. At a minimum dispatchers will broadcast on the main channel to the Patrol Division.
426.6.4 HOT LISTS
(a) Hot Lists (SVS, SRV, SLR) will be automatically downloaded into the ALPR system a minimum of twice a day, with the most current data overwriting the old data.
(b) Special Hot Lists approved by the Services Captain or designee will be automatically downloaded into the ALPR system a minimum of once a day, with the most current data overwriting the old data.
(c) The Hits from Special Hot Lists should be viewed as informational only, created solely to bring the officers’ attention to specific vehicles that have been associated with criminal activity. Department Special Hot Lists shall not be shared with any other LEA without prior authorization from the Services Division Captain or designee.
426.6.5 HOT PLATES
Hot Plates added to the database by LEARNS-CDMS users will add an expiration date not to exceed thirty (30) days.CDMS Hot Plates added to the database by LEARN.
Hot Plates entered into the ALPR system with distribution to more than one officer will contain the following information:
1. Entering officer's name and contact phone number.
2. Related case number.
3. Short synopsis of originating call or reason for entry with as much description as possible.
License plates entered into ALPR as a “Hot Plate” that will also be entered into SVS, SLR, SFR, MUPS, etc. shall have an expiration not to exceed twenty-four (24) hours.
426.7 DATA COLLECTION AND RETENTION
The Services Division Captain or designee is responsible for insuring systems and processes are in place for the proper collection and retention of ALPR data. Data will be transferred from vehicles to the designated storage in accordance with department procedures.
All ALPR data downloaded to the server should be stored for a minimum of one year (Government Code § 34090.6) and in accordance with the established records retention schedule. Thereafter, ALPR data should be purged unless it has become, or it is reasonable to believe it will become, evidence in a criminal or civil action or is subject to a discovery request or other lawful action to produce records. In those circumstances the applicable data should be downloaded from the server onto portable media and booked into evidence.
426.8 ACCOUNTABILITY
All data will be closely safeguarded and protected by both procedural and technological means.
The Roseville Police Department will observe the following safeguards regarding access to and use of stored data (Civil Code § 1798.90.51; Civil Code § 1798.90.53):
(a) All ALPR data downloaded to the mobile workstation and in storage shall be accessible only through a login/password-protected system capable of documenting all access of information by name, date and time (Civil Code § 1798.90.52).
(b) Members approved to access ALPR data under these guidelines are permitted to access the data for legitimate law enforcement purposes only, such as when the data relates to a specific criminal investigation or department-related civil or administrative action.
For security or data breaches, see the Records Release and Maintenance Policy.
426.9 RELEASING ALPR DATA
The ALPR data may be shared only with other law enforcement or prosecutorial agencies for official law enforcement purposes or as otherwise permitted by law, using the following procedures:
(a) The agency makes a written request for the ALPR data that includes:
(a) The name of the agency.
(b) The name of the person requesting.
(c) The intended purpose of obtaining the information.
(b) The request is reviewed by the Services Captain or the authorized designee and approved before the request is fulfilled.
(c) The approved request is retained on file.
Requests for ALPR data by non-law enforcement or non-prosecutorial agencies will be processed as provided in the Records Maintenance and Release Policy (Civil Code § 1798.90.55).
426.10 TRAINING
The ALPR Administrator shall ensure that members receive department-approved training for those authorized to access the ALP