Policy Text
09.21.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this general order is to establish department guidelines for provid ing
coworkers with an automated method of identifying stolen vehicles, stolen license plates,
and missing and wanted persons. Locating vehicles identified as having specific interest
to law enforcement is consistent with the mission of the City of Concord in deliverin g the
greatest measure of safety and the highest level of service to the community and visitors
to the city.
09.21.1 POLICY
It shall be the policy of the Concord Police Department to establish basic guidelines for
use and oversight of fixed and mobile automated license plate reader (ALPR) equipment
by coworkers . It applies to use by coworkers throughout the department regardless of
assignment.
09.21.2 DEFINITIONS
A. AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER (ALPR )
Equipment consisting of a camera(s), computer, and computer software used to
automatically recognize and interpret the characters on vehicle license plates. This
data is then compared with a list of license plates bearing some significance to law
enforcement. ALPR’s may be deploy ed in different configurations including fixed and
mobile. Both configurations operate in the same manner.
B. ALPR DATA CUSTODIAN (S)
Coworker s designated by the ALPR system administrator to m anage the utilization of
the ALPR software from the end -user through training, reporting, monitoring, and
data sharing .
C. ALPR SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR
A coworker designated by the Chief of Police or designee to perform administrative
tasks of the ALPR system.
D. DATA RETENTION LOG AND FILE
A log of requests fo r retention of ALPR data beyond the normal 90 -day period, with
the documentation required by NC GS 20 -183.32 to support each request.
CONCORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER
GENERAL ORDER: 09.21 CREATED: August 9, 2023 ISSUE DATE: August 9, 2023
CALEA STANDARD: 41.3.9 EFFECTIVE DATE: August 9, 2023
ACTION: Creates general order .
General Order 09.21 AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER Page 2 of 5
E. HIT
Also known as an “alert”. Data matched to a plate that has previously been registered
on a hotlist of vehicle plates related to stolen vehicles , wanted vehicles, or other
factors supporting the investigation, or which has been manually registered by a
coworker for further investigation.
F. HOTLIST
A database populated with items of specific interest to investigative and/or
enforcement operations of law enforcement. This may include, but is not limited to,
stolen/wanted vehicles and registration plates, wanted and missing persons, caution
notifications and registration plates associated with Amber Alerts or various watch lists
provided for law enforcement purposes.
09.21.3 ALPR SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR
A. The Special Operations Division commander shall act as the ALPR system
administrator. The ALPR system administrator shall have administrative oversight for
the ALPR system deployment and operation and shall be responsible for the following:
1. Designate a n ALPR data custodian to provide training and administer the day -to-
day operation of the ALPR equipment and data;
2. Coordinate all installation and maintenance of ALPR equipment;
3. Monitor the use of the ALPR system and ensure periodic audits ; and
4. Maintain a s chedule to regularly perform audits, maintenance checks, calibration
and any needed corrections or adjustments to the ALPR system. The audits shall
be conducted at least annually and include a report to the Chief of Police to
include the use and effectiven ess of the system.
09.21.4 ALPR DATA CUSTODIAN
A. The ALPR data custodian (s) shall provide training and administer the day -to-day
operation of the ALPR equipment and data and shall be responsible for the following:
1. Manage the utilization of the ALPR software from the end -user through training,
reporting, storage, monitoring, and data sharing;
2. Administer and preserve ALPR data per NC GS 20 -183.32 ;
3. Manage the gathering of hotlists; and
4. Manage access control to ensure only coworkers eligible to access the database
can do so .
09.21.5 OPERATIONS
A. Use of ALPR is restricted to the purposes outlined below. Coworkers shall not use or
allow others to use the equipment or database records for any unauthorized purpose.
Coworkers may be authorized to have access to data stored in the ALPR system. The
access shall be for crime analysis and legitimate investigative purposes only.
General Order 09.21 AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER Page 3 of 5
1. ALPR shall only be used for official law enforcement purposes;
2. No coworker shall operate ALPR equipment or access ALPR data without first
completing department -approved training.
3. All ALPR data shall be accessible only through a login/password -protected system
capable of documenting all access of information by name, date, and time.
4. An ALPR may be used in conjunction with any routine patrol operation or criminal
investigation. Prior to initiation of a stop based on an ALPR hit, the coworker
shall:
a. Visually verify that the vehicle plate number matches the plate number run
by the ALPR system, including both