Policy Text
Policy
404University of California Irvine Police Department
UC Irvine PD Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/03/13, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by University of California Irvine
Police DepartmentAutomated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) - 1Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs)
404.1 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.
404.2 DEFINITIONS
Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) : A device that uses cameras and computer technology
to compare digital images to lists of known information of interest.
ALPR Operator : Trained Department members who may utilize ALPR system/equipment. ALPR
operators may be assigned to any position within the Department, and the ALPR Administrator
may order the deployment of the ALPR systems for use in various efforts.
ALPR Administrator : The Operations Lieutenant or the Chief's designee, serves as the ALPR
Administrator for the Department.
Hot List: A list of license plates associated with vehicles of interest compiled from one or more
databases including, but not limited to, NCIC, CA DMV, Local BOLO's, Silver and Amber Alerts etc.
Vehicles of Interest : Including, but not limited to vehicles which are reported as stolen; display
stolen license plates or tags; vehicles linked to missing and/or wanted persons and vehicles
flagged by the Department of Motor Vehicle Administration or law enforcement agencies.
Detection : Data obtained by an ALPR of an image (such as a license plate) within public view that
was read by the ALPR, including potential images (such as the plate and description of vehicle
on which it was displayed), and information regarding the location of the ALPR system at the time
of the ALPR's read.
Hit: Alert from the ALPR system that a scanned license plate number may be in the National Crime
Information Center (NCIC) or other law enforcement database for a specific reason including, but
not limited to, being related to a stolen car, wanted person, missing person, domestic violation
protective order or terrorist-related activity.
404.3 POLICY
The policy of the University of California, Irvine Police Department is to utilize ALPR technology
to capture and store digital license plate data and images while recognizing established privacy
rights of the public.
All data and images gathered by the ALPR system are for the official use of this department.
Because such data may contain confidential information, it may not be open to public review.
404.4 ADMINISTRATION
The ALPR technology, also known as License Plate Recognition (LPR), allows for the automated
detection of license plates. It is used by the University of California, Irvine Police Department to
University of California Irvine Police Department
UC Irvine PD Policy Manual
Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs)
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/03/13, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by University of California Irvine
Police DepartmentAutomated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) - 2convert 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.
All installation and maintenance of ALPR equipment, as well as ALPR data retention and access,
shall be managed by the Operations Lieutenant. The Operations Lieutenant will assign members
under his/her command to administer the day-to-day operation of the ALPR equipment and data.
404.4.1 ALPR ADMINISTRATOR
The Operations Lieutenant 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 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.
404.5 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 criminal investigation.
(c)Partial license plates and unique vehicle descriptions reported during major crimes
may be entered into the ALPR system in an attempt to identify suspect vehicles.
(d)No member of this Department shall operate ALPR equipment or access ALPR data
without first completing Department-approved training.
(e)If practicable, the officer shall verify an ALPR response through the California
Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) and/or MDC before taking
enforcement action. Once an alert is received, the operator shall