Policy Text
Policy
426Vallejo Police Department
Vallejo PD Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/12/13, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Vallejo Police DepartmentAutomated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) - 1Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs)
426.1 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.
426.2 DEFINITIONS
•Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) : A device that uses cameras and computer
technology to compare digital images to lists of known information of interest.
•ALPR Operator : Trained Department members who may utilize ALPR system/
equipment. ALPR operators may be assigned to any position within the Department,
and the ALPR Administrator may order the deployment of the ALPR systems for use
in various efforts.
•ALPR Administrator : The Investigations Bureau Captain or the Chief's designee,
serves as the ALPR Administrator for the Department.
•Hot List : A list of license plates associated with vehicles of interest compiled from one
or more databases including, but not limited to, NCIC, CA DMV, Local BOLO's, etc.
•Vehicles of Interest : Including, but not limited to vehicles which are reported as
stolen; display stolen license plates or tags; vehicles linked to missing and/or wanted
persons and vehicles flagged by the Department of Motor Vehicle Administration or
law enforcement agencies.
•Detection : Data obtained by an ALPR of an image (such as a license plate) within
public view that was read by the device, including potential images (such as the plate
and description of vehicle on which it was displayed), and information regarding the
location of the ALPR system at the time of the ALPR's 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 violation protective order or terrorist-related activity.
426.3 ADMINISTRATION
The ALPR technology, also known as License Plate Recognition (LPR), allows for the automated
detection of license plates along with the vehicle make, model, color and unique identifiers through
the Vallejo Police Department's ALPR's system and the vendor's vehicle identification technology.
The technology is used by the Vallejo Police Department to convert data associated with vehicle
license plates and vehicle descriptions 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, 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 Department Information Technology Manager. The Department
Vallejo Police Department
Vallejo PD Policy Manual
Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs)
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/12/13, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Vallejo Police DepartmentAutomated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) - 2Information Technology Manager will assign members under his/her command to administer the
day-to-day operation of the ALPR equipment and data.
426.3.1 ALPR ADMINISTRATOR
The Administration Division Commander 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.
426.4 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 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)Partial license plates and unique vehicle descriptions reported during major crimes
should be entered into the ALPR system in an attempt to identify suspect vehicles.
(d)The officer should verify an ALPR response through the California Law Enforcement
Telecommunications System (CLETS) or dispatch before taking enforcement action
based solely on an ALPR alert. Because the ALPR alert may relate to a vehicle and
may not relate to the person operating the vehicle, officers are reminded that they
need to have reasonable suspicion and/or probable cause to make an enforcement
stop of any vehicle. (For example, if a vehicle is entered into the system because of