Policy Text
Policy
460Mountain View Police Department
Mountain View PD Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/07/11, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Mountain View Police
DepartmentAutomated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) - 1Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs)
460.1 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.
460.2 POLICY
The policy of the Mountain View Police Department 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 readily accessible to most
Mountain View Police Department personnel and is also not open for public review.The Mountain
View Police Department does not permit the sharing of ALPR data gathered by the City or its
contractors/subcontractors for the purpose of federal immigration enforcement, pursuant to the
California Values Act (Government Code § 7282.5; Government Code § 7284.2 et seq).
The Mountain View Police Department will, consistent with Government Code § 7284.8 (b), ensure
that databases are governed in a manner that limits to the fullest extent practicable the availability
of information for assistance with immigration enforcement, consistent with federal and state law.
460.3 DEFINITIONS
Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR): A device that uses cameras and computer technology
to compare digital images of license plates to lists of known plates of interest.
Hot List: License plate(s) associated with vehicles of interest from an associated database,
including, but not limited to, Stolen Vehicle System (SVS), National Crime Information Center
(NCIC), Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Local "Be On The Lookout" (BOLOs), etc.
Detection: Data obtained by an ALPR of license plates within public view that were read by
the device, including potential images of the plate and vehicle on which it was displayed and
information regarding the location of the police cruiser at the time of the ALPR 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 violence
protective order or terrorist-related activity.
460.4 ADMINISTRATION
The ALPR technology, also known as License Plate Recognition (LPR), allows for the automated
detection of license plates. It is used by the Mountain View Police Department 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
Mountain View Police Department
Mountain View PD Policy Manual
Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs)
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/07/11, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Mountain View Police
DepartmentAutomated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) - 2gather 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 Special Services Captain. The Special Services Captain will assign
members under his/her command to administer the day-to-day operation of the ALPR equipment
and data.
460.4.1 ALPR ADMINISTRATOR
The Special Services Captain 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.
460.5 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 routine patrol operation or criminal
investigation. Reasonable suspicion or probable cause is not required before using
an ALPR.
(c)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.
(d)No member of this department shall operate ALPR equipment or access AL