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\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER TITLE ACCREDITATION License Plate Recognition Systems CALEA Chapter 41.3.9 PRIOR REVISIONS: PROPONENT UNIT 10/31/19 Patrol Support Bureau ATTACHMENT: None NUMBER ISSUE DATE REVISION DATE TOTAL PAGES 61.11 01/03/18 06/04/2025 4 I. PURPOSE: To provide guidelines on the proper use of License Plate Recognition (LPR) Systems, commonly known as License Plate Reader systems. II. POLICY: To provide guidelines for the implementation, installation, training and use of mobile and stationary License Plate Reader (LPR) technology and equipment to scan, detect, and identify license plate numbers. The LPR system shall be restricted to legitimate law enforcement uses for the purpose of furthering law enforcement goals and enhancing public safety to include but not limited to providing information to officers that will assist in on-going criminal investigations, crime prevention, crime detection, the apprehension of wanted persons and stolen vehicles, the recovery of missing and endangered persons and the identification of unregistered and uninsured motor vehicles. III. DEFINITIONS: Alert – An audible and/or visual signal activated upon the read of a license plate by the LPR system that has not been visually verified by an officer against the photo in the LPR system. Confirmation – (Confirmed Hit) – A hit by the LPR System that has been validated as active by NCIC/FCIC/DAVID. Hot Lists – A list of stolen plates and vehicles entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as well as Amber, Silver alerts associated with a vehicle tag, wanted criminals and others of specific interest to law enforcement that have a vehicle or tag associated to them. This may also be vehicles entered into the Gainesville Police Department’s local database, which are the subject of ongoing criminal investigations. License Plate Reader (LPR) – A specialized system consisting of equipment designed to read, store, and check license plates. The LPR is commonly mounted to a patrol vehicle and connected to a computer within the vehicle. However, there are other device configurations utilized such as stationary/fixed or mobile platform such as a department vehicle or speed trailer. Vehicle Mounted – An LPR device mounted to a department owned vehicle where the vehicle operator receives the “HIT” information. Mobile Platform – An LPR device that can be moved to specific locations that collects data autonomously, and that can relay “HIT” information to a deputy, officer, investigator or dispatcher to\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT assist in the resolution of traffic or investigative issues. Fixed platform – An LPR device that is secured at a specific location to collect data autonomously. And that can relay “HIT” information to an officer, investigator or dispatcher to assist in the resolution of traffic or investigative issues, transmitted by cellphone technology. IV. PROCEDURE A. Training and Issuance: 1. The vehicle mounted LPR Device, mobile platforms, and LPR databases will only be issued to Department members who have completed agency approved training. Documented training may include classroom training, review of manufacturer’s recommendations, and policy guidelines for use. [CALEA 41.3.9.c] 2. All LPR Devices must be operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations as detailed in the training provided prior to use. B. Guidelines for Use: [CALEA 41.3.9.a] 1. License Plate Reader systems, associated equipment and databases are authorized for official law enforcement purposes only. Any member who misuses the License Plate Reader equipment and associated databases or data may be subject to disciplinary action. 2. The License Plate Reader device reads the license plates of moving or parked motor vehicles using LPR Optical Character Recognition Technology and compares against a Hot List. Additional features of the LPR system include searching and flagging vehicles for official investigative purposes. 3. During operation, License Plate Reader “hits” are indicated by an audible and visual alarm. An LPR “hit” shall not be used as the sole reason for a traffic stop or enforcement contacts until all provisions contained in this section have been satisfied. Contact with the vehicle and its occupants will only be made after the “hit” is confirmed. i. The member receiving the notification must first visually verify that the Hot List entry matches the digital image displayed by the LPR. If, for any reason it does not match, the “hit” will be rejected. If, however, it does match, the “hit” will be accepted and the member will verify the “hit” through NCIC/FCIC. Once NCIC/FCIC is confirmed then enforcement action may be taken, such as a traffic stop. ii. Unless separate probable cause exists, officers will not stop or detain a vehicle based solely on a hit from the LPR system which has not been confirmed. iii. . After stopping the vehicle and prior to taking action, the violation will be confirmed via teletype. iv. Any enforcement or investigative action initiated from the LPR hit shall be documented. 2\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT C. Maintenance and Repair: Any member who learns an LPR, whether fixed, mobile, or attached to a vehicle becomes inoperative, they shall immediately communicate this issue with their supervisor. The supervisor will then inform the appropriate Bureau Commander. D. Data Security, and Access: Scanned License Plate information is sent to an off site server that is maintained by the vendor. This server has been authorized by CJIS, NCIC and FCIC after confirmation that it has met all applicable standards for maintaining, updating and relaying secure criminal information. For an individual to access this server the individual must be FCIC certified and complete additional LPR specific training before access is permitted by Log On and Password. [CALEA 41.3.9.b] E. Date Storage and Retention: All information gathered and disseminated is located off site by the LPR Vendor which has met state and federal standards applicable for the retention of criminal information. The duration of access to scanned data will be (3) three years. [CALEA 41.3.9.d] 3\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT By Order of Signed Original on File in the Accreditation Unit Nelson Moya Chief of Police 4