Policy Text
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
I-12: AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS Effective Date: 14 AUG 24 Coordinator: Information Technology Unit
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This policy provides guidance for the capture, storage and use of digital data obtained
through the use of ALPR technology while rec ognizing the established privacy rights of the
public.
A. Definitions
A - 1. Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR)
A device that uses cameras and computer technology to compare digital images
of vehicle license plates to lists of known information of interest.
A - 2. Hot List
A list of license plates associated with ve hicles of interest compiled from one or
more databases including, but not limited to the Stolen Vehicle System (SVS),
NCIC, and local BOLO alerts.
A - 3. Hit
Alert from the ALPR system that a scanned license pl ate may be in the National
Crime Information Center (NCIC) or other law enforcement database for a
specific reason including, but not limited t o, being related to a stolen car, wanted
person, missing person or domestic violence protective order.
B. Description of the Technology: Information describing the surveillance technology and
how it works.
OPD uses Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology to capture and store
digital license plate data and images. There are two components to the ALPR system:
1. Automated License Plate Readers
Device components include cameras which can be attached to vehicles or fixed
objects and a vehicle-based co mputer that processes the photographs and compares
the data against California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) hot lists. Data are
transmitted for comparison (the hot lists ar e downloaded to the vehicle at the start
of the patrol shift and then compared from that list). Authorized/designated
personnel can also manually en ter license plates to intern al OPD generated hot lists
only accessible to personnel authorized /designated to access the OPD ALPR
system.
2. ALPR Database
A central repository stores data coll ected and transmitted by the Automated
License Plate Readers.
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER I-12 Effective Date
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT 14 Aug 24
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C. Purpose of the Technology
ALPR technology works by automatically and indiscriminately scanning all license plates
on vehicles that are publicly visible. ALPR reads these license plates, compares the license plate characters against Hot Lists, and stores the characters along with the date, time, and location where the photograph was taken. This process allows for two functions
by ALPR:
Immediate (real time) comparison of the license plate characters against Hot Lists
listing vehicles that are stolen or sought in connection with a crime and/or with
OPD-generated internal lists.
Storage of the license plate characters – along with the date, time, and location
where the photography was taken – in a database that is accessible to enforcement agencies with authorized access (as defined in “Authorized Use” below) for investigative query purposes.
D. Authorized Uses
The specific uses that are authorized, and the rules and processes required prior to such
use.
D - 1. Authorized Users
Personnel authorized/designated to use ALPR equipment or access information
collected through the use of such equipment shall be specifically trained in such technology. Sworn personnel, Police Se rvice Technicians (PST), or other
authorized/designated Department personnel may use the technology.
Authorized users other than sworn pe rsonnel or PSTs must be designated by
the Chief of Police or designee.
D - 2. Authorized Use
Real-Time Identification
The sworn personnel/technician shall verify an ALPR response through the
California Law Enforcement Telecomm unications System (CLETS) before
possibly taking enforcement action that is based solely on an ALPR alert.
Once an alert is received, the operator sh all confirm that the observed license
plate from the system matches the licen se plate of the observed vehicle.
Members will not take any police action that restricts the freedom of any
individual based solely on an AL PR alert unless it has been fully
validated, by visually verifying that the license plate characters on the
vehicle match those in th e database, and that the make, model, color and
all other known identifying char acteristics likewise match.
Hot Lists
The Department shall only use the following hot lists: Stolen Vehicle
System (“SVS”), National Crime Information Center (“NCIC”) lists, CA DOJ lists, Amber and Silver alerts, and custom BOLO lists pertaining
solely to missing or at-risk persons , witness locates, burglaries, grand
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER I-12 Effective Date
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT 14 Aug 24
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theft, and violent crime investigation. Hot lists shall be obtained or
compiled from sources as may be c onsistent with the purposes of the
ALPR system set forth in this Policy. Hot lists utilized by the Department's ALPR system may be updated by agency sources more
frequently than the Department may be uploading them and thus the
Department's ALPR system will not have access to real time data.
Occasionally, there may be errors in the ALPR syst em’s read of a license
plate. Therefore, an alert alone shall not be a basis for police action (other
than following the vehicle of interest). Prior to initiation of a stop of a
vehicle or other interven tion based on an alert, Department members shall
undertake the following:
Department members will document a ll stops from hot list alerts by
indicating the positive ALPR Hit, i.e., with an arrest or other