RPDPS_ALPR_PolicyPolicy
427
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Policy Manual
Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs)
427.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance for the capture, storage and use of digital data
obtained through the use of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology.
427.2 ADMINISTRATION
The ALPR technology, also known as License Plate Recognition (LPR), allows for the automated
detection of license plates. It is used by the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety 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, electronic surveillance,
suspect interdiction and stolen property recovery.
ALPR data collection, access, and retention shall be managed by the Support Services Manager.
427.2.1 ALPR ADMINISTRATOR
The Support Services Manager shall be responsible for developing guidelines and procedures to
comply with the requirements of Civil Code§ 1798.90.50 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 in 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.
427.3 OPERATIONS
Use of an ALPR is restricted to the purposes outlined below. Department members shall not use,
or allow others to use the equipment or database records for any unauthorized purpose (Civil
Code§ 1798.90.51; Civil Code§ 1798.90.53).
(a)An ALPR shall only be used for official law enforcement business.
(b)An ALPR may be used in conjunction with any routine patrol operation or criminal
investigation. Reasonable suspicion or probable cause is not required before using
an ALPR.
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Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Policy Manual
Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs)
(c)If the officer makes an inquiry into an ALPR system, the inquiry must include a case
number or event number. If neither are available, a sufficient description to support
the inquiry is required.
(d)While an ALPR may be used to canvass license plates around any crime scene,
particular consideration should be given to using ALPR-equipped cars to canvass
areas around homicides, shootings and other major incidents. Partial license plates
reported during major crimes should be entered into the ALPR system in an attempt
to identify suspect vehicles.
(e)No member of this department shall operate ALPR equipment or access ALPR data
without first completing department-approved training.
(f)No ALPR operator may access department, state or federal data unless otherwise
authorized to do so.
(g)If practicable, the officer should verify an ALPR response through the California Law
Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) before taking enforcement action
that is based solely on an ALPR alert.
(h)When canvassing plates returned by the ALPR system, unless in fresh pursuit, no
officer may enter the reservation lands of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria
("Tribe"), including the Graton Resort & Casino property, without first contacting the
appropriate tribal law enforcement or security personnel to alert them to the ALPR
alert and to seek permission to access the Tribe's lands.
427.4 DATA COLLECTION AND RETENTION
The Support Services Manager is responsible for ensuring systems and processes are in place
for the proper collection and retention of ALPR data. Data will be transferred from cameras to the
designated storage in accordance with department/vendor 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.
427.5 ACCOUNTABILITY
All data will be closely safeguarded and protected by both procedural and technological means.
The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety 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
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Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Policy Manual
Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs)
relate to a specific criminal investigation or department-related civil or administrative
action.
(c)ALPR system audits should be conducted on a regular basis (quarterly).
For security or data breaches, see the Records Release and Maintenance Policy.
427.6 POLICY
The policy of the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety is to utilize ALPR technology to capture
and store digital license plate data and images while recognizing the established privacy rights
of the public.
All data and images gathered by the ALPR are for the official use of this department. Because
such data may contain confidential information, it is not open to public review.
427.7 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 Records Supervisor 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).
427.8 TRAINING
The Training Coordinator should ensure that members receive department-approved training
for those authorized to use or access the ALPR system (Civil Code § 1798.90.51; Civil Code
§1798.90.53).
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Published with permission by Rohnert Park Department of
Public Safety
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