Policy Text
Policy
412Riverside County Sheriff's Department
Riverside County Sheriff's Department Standards Manual (DSM)
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/06/10, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Riverside County Sheriff's
DepartmentAutomated License Plate Readers - 1Automated License Plate Readers
412.1 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.
412.2 DEFINITIONS
Definitions related to this policy include:
ALPR Data - Information or data and images collected using an ALPR system.
ALPR Operator - An agency that operates 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.
ALPR User - A person that accesses or uses an ALPR system.
412.3 POLICY
The policy of the Riverside County Sheriff's Office is to utilize ALPR technology to capture and
store digital license plate data and images while recognizing established privacy rights of the
public.
All data and images gathered by the ALPR system are for the official use of this Sheriff's Office.
Because such data may contain confidential information, it may not be open to public review.
412.4 ADMINISTRATION
The ALPR technology, allows for the automated detection of license plates. It is used by the
Riverside County Sheriff's Office 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 gather information related to arrest 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 Support Services Chief Deputy. This Chief Deputy will assign members
under their command to administer the day-to-day operation of the ALPR equipment and data.
412.4.1 ALPR ADMINISTRATOR
The Support Services Chief Deputy 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.
Riverside County Sheriff's Department
Riverside County Sheriff's Department Standards Manual (DSM)
Automated License Plate Readers
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/06/10, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Riverside County Sheriff's
DepartmentAutomated License Plate Readers - 2(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 Sheriff's
Office website.
412.4.2 PUBLIC HEARING
In accordance with Civil Code §1798.90.55(a), the Sheriff's Office provided an opportunity for
public comment on the use of the ALPR program within Riverside County during an open meeting
of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors on August 29, 2017 (BOS Agenda Item# 3.108).
412.4.3 AUTHORIZED USERS
Users authorized to access any ALPR information operated by the Sheriff's Office are those
in positions, assignments, or otherwise tasked with criminal investigations or patrol operations.
These users include sworn peace officers and classified Sheriff's Office personnel such as, but
not limited to, Community Service Officers, Crime Analysts, and 911 Communications Officers.
Any allied agency personnel assigned to a Task Force who requests access to the ALPR System
shall undergo a comprehensive screening process conducted by the ALPR System Administrator
prior to being granted access.
412.5 OPERATIONS
Use of an ALPR system is restricted to the purposes outlined below. Sheriff's Office 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 system shall only be used for official law enforcement business.
(b)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.
(c)No member of this Sheriff's Office shall operate ALPR equipment or access ALPR
data without first completing Sheriff's Office approved training.
(d)No ALPR operator may access Sheriff's Office, state or federal data unless otherwise
authorized to do so.
(e)When applicable, authorized users shall verify an ALPR response through the
California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) before taking
enforcement action that is based solely on an ALPR alert.
Riverside County Sheriff's Department
Riverside County Sheriff's Department Standards Manual (DSM)
Automated License Plate Readers
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/06/10, All Rights Reserved.