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Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/11/28, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) - 1 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) 429.1 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. Additionally, this policy shall establish standards for the Department to maintain reasonable security procedur es and practices to protect ALPR information and implement a usage and privacy policy with respect to that information. 429.2 POLICY The policy of the Santa Monica 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 open to public review and sha ll only be used for authorized purposes. 429.3 ADMINISTRATION The ALPR technology, also known as License Plate Recognition (LPR), allows for the automated detection of license plates. It is used by the Santa Monica Police Department to convert data associated w ith 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 active warrants, homeland security, electroni c 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 Police Technology Unit. The Deputy Chief of Police , or his/her designee, will assign members under his/her command to administer the day -to-day operation of the ALPR equipment and data. 429.3.1 ALPR ADMINISTRATOR The Police Technology Unit 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. Policy 429 Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/11/28, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) - 2 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) (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. 429.4 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 data base 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 ALPR data without first completing department -approved training. (e) No ALPR operator may access Department, State or Federal data unless otherwise authorized to do so. (f) If practicable, the officer should verify an ALPR response through the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) before taking enforcement action that is based solely on an ALPR alert. 429.5 DATA COLLECTION AND RETENTION The Police Technology Unit is responsible for ensuring systems and processes are in place for the proper collection and re tention of ALPR data. Data will be transferred from vehicles to the designated storage in accordance with Department procedures. All ALPR data downloaded to the server should be stored for a minimum of one year (Government Code § 34090.6) and in accordance with the established records retention schedule. Thereafter, ALPR data should be purged unless it has become, or it is reasonable to believe it will become, evidence in a criminal or