Policy Text
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
GO 525.08
Page 1 of 5
525.08
AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER AND PUBLIC SAFETY CAMERA NETWORK
6-13-2024
PURPOSE
The purpose of this order is to establish policy and procedures for the use and oversight of the
Sacramento Police D epartment’s (SPD) Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) and Public Safety
Camera Network (PSCN) technology in accordance with California Civil Code §§ 1798.90.5 and
1798.90.55.
POLICY
It shall be the policy of the SPD to utilize ALPR and PSCN technologies for official law enforcement
purposes to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of public safety efforts in a manner that safeguards
the privacy of citizens.
PROCEDURE
A. DEFINITIONS
1. AGENCY CAMERA – Video or ALPR devices maintained under the authority of SPD.
2. ALPR ADMINISTRATOR – Sergeant, detectives, or Public Safety IT staff assigned to the Real -Time
Information Center (RTIC).
3. AUTHORIZED DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL – SPD s worn peace officers , community service
officers , and professional staff who have completed a California Law Enforcement Telecom System
(CLETS ) less than full operator , or equivalent cou rse, and have been trained in the use of ALPR.
4. AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE DATA – Information detected and recorded by an ALPR reader that
includes license plate numbers, vehicle photos, timestamps, and GPS coordinates.
5. AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER (ALPR) – A device that uses integrated camera and
computer technology to detect and record ALPR data.
6. CAR- DETECTOR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CDMS) – Automat ed license plate recognition
software that facilitates detection and upload of ALPR data from mobile ALPR readers and hit
notifications to authorized department personnel.
7. DETECTION – ALPR d ata obtained by an ALPR device in public view.
8. HOT LIST – Identified license plate numbers associated to specific vehicles that are of law
enforcement interest involving, but not limited to, missing persons, related to violent crimes, stolen
vehicles, and vehicles associated to named suspects. License plate numb ers are sourced from
various law enforcement and vehicle databases.
9. HIT– A notification to authorized department personnel of an ALPR detection of a license plate that
is contained on the hot list and requires verification .
10. CITY CAMERA – Cameras and ALPR devices maintained and under the authority of various City of
Sacramento department s, excluding Public Works, Transportation Division or SPD. City cameras
are installed in public view at locations to include, but not limited to, City Hall, recreation faci lities,
parks, and parking lots.
11. CITY TRAFFIC CAMERA – Cameras and ALPR devices maintained and under the authority of the
Public Works, Transportation Division. City traffic cameras are installed in public view for the purposes of monitoring the flow of v ehicular traffic at street intersections.
12. LAW ENFORCEMENT ARCHIVAL REPORTING NETWORK (LEARN) – An intelligence platform
that contains ALPR data and analytic capabilities that provides searching and relational functionality
of Vigilant Solutions ALPR detections.
13. PUBLIC SAFETY CAMERA NETWORK (PSCN) - A series of cameras and ALPR devices from
various sources that are utilized to support public safety.
14. PRIVATE DONOR CAMERAS – Cameras maintained and under the authority of a private entity that
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
GO 525.08
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voluntarily provides public -facing video feeds to the PSCN . Such feeds shall be restricted to specific
terms (e.g., viewing limitations, access) set by the private entity and detailed within a terms and
conditions agreement .
15. SPECIAL HOT LIST – Any authorized department personnel’s hot list entry of license plates
associated with criminal activity that does not meet criteria for entry into CLETS or NCIC systems
with notifications to SPD only.
16. TARGET ALERT SERVICE (TAS) – A feature of the CDMS software that notifies authorized
department personnel of a hit.
17. VOLUNT ARY REGISTRY – A resource in which private citizens and business owners with
equipment capable of recording video footage can volunteer to pr ovide their location and contact
information via an online registry.
B. GENERAL
1. Only a uthorized department personnel shall be approved to utilize ALPR devices, PSCN ,
and connected databases for official law enforcement purposes only.
2. Upon discovery of any ALPR devices , PSCN equipment , or other camera systems that are inoperable or
damaged, employees shall:
a. Not attempt to repair.
b. Immediately notify an ALPR administrator of:
(1) Police vehicles equipped with ALPR devices shall be reported via established police f acility
MDC repair procedure (hardcopy and online form) with all details pertaining to malfunction
or damage.
(2) Damaged or vandalized mobile trailers shall be returned to the police facility by a trained officer.
c. Document damage or vandalism to ALPR devices, P SCN equipment , or mobile trailers in a
crime report .
C. ALPR DATA
1. All ALPR data uploaded to LEARN shall be retained by SPD for a minimum of 90 days pursuant to
California Government Code § 34090.7 and maximum of two years in accordance with the City’s
Records Management Policy.