Policy Text
Policy
440Fremont Police Department
Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs)
440.1 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.
440.2 DEFINITIONS
ALPR End-User: An employee of the City of Fremont Police Department who has received
appropriate training and is authorized to access or use an ALPR system.
ALPR Information: Information or data collected through the use of an ALPR system.
ALPR System: A searchable computerized database resulting from the operation of one or
more mobile or fixed cameras combined with computer algorithms to read and convert images of
registration plates and the characters they contain into computer-readable data.
440.3 POLICY
The policy of the Fremont Police Department ("department") is to utilize ALPR technology to
capture and store digital license plate data and images while recognizing the established privacy
and civil rights of the public.All data and images gathered by an ALPR system operated by the
department are for the official use of the department and shall only be used for law enforcement
purposes, including but not limited to identifying stolen or wanted vehicles, stolen license plates,
wanted persons, and missing persons.
The department does not permit the sharing of ALPR information gathered by the City or its
hosting contractors/subcontractors with any federal agency or any agency located outside of
California,unless disclosure is specifically required under state or federal law or court order.
(Civil Code § 1798.90.55; Government Code § 7282.5; Government Code § 7284.2 et seq). Any
requests to share ALPR information will be forwarded to the Chief of Police or their designee for
consideration.
440.4 ADMINISTRATION
The ALPR technology allows for the automated detection of license plates. It is used by the
Fremont Police Department to convert data associated with vehicle license plates for official
law enforcement purposes, including identifying stolen or wanted vehicles, stolen license plates,
wanted persons, and missing persons. It may also be used to gather information related to active
warrants, homeland security, suspect interdiction, and stolen property recovery.
All installation and maintenance of ALPR systems, as well as user access, shall be overseen
by the Special Operations Division Commander. The Special Operations Division Commander
will assign members under their command to administer the day-to-day operation of the ALPR
equipment and user access.
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Fremont Police Department
Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs)
440.4.1 ALPR ADMINISTRATOR
The Special Operations Division Commander 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 ALPR end-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)Working with the Custodian of Records on the retention and destruction of ALPR data.
(f)Ensuring this policy and related procedures are conspicuously posted on the
department's website.
440.5 OPERATIONS
Use of an ALPR system is restricted to the purposes outlined below. ALPR end-users shall not
use, or allow others to use, an ALPR system or ALPR information owned and/or operated by the
department for any unauthorized purpose (Civil Code § 1798.90.51; Civil Code § 1798.90.53).
(a)ALPR information shall only be used for official law enforcement purposes.
(b)No member of this department shall operate an ALPR system or access ALPR
information without first completing department-approved training.
(c)ALPR information is accessible to Fremont police officers, community service officers,
analysts, and dispatchers who have been trained by the Special Operations Division
Commander's designee.
(d)An ALPR system 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 system.
(e)ALPR information shall not be shared with any federal agency or any public agency
personnel located outside of California.(Civil Code § 1798.90.55.)
(f)While vehicles equipped with an ALPR camera 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.
(g)Designation of hot lists to be utilized by the ALPR system shall be made by the Special
Operations Division Commander or his/her designee. Hot lists shall be obtained or
compiled from sources as may be consistent with the purposes of the ALPR system
set forth in this Policy. These sources may include, but are not limited to:
•DOJ Stolen Vehicle files, as available;
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2026/01/08, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Fremont Police