4-222 - Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Policy

Automated license plate reader technology (ALPR) may be used to support a wide range of public safety activities including revoked/suspended driver interdiction, stolen vehicle recovery, enforcement of traffic regulations, apprehension of individuals subject to an outstanding warrant, and criminal and terrorist investigations/interdiction. ALPR devices enable police officers to recognize and take immediate action against vehicles and persons who are subject to investigative detention or arrest; the data collected by ALPRs can also provide investigative leads to identify unknown vehicles, to gather data about known suspect vehicles and to locate potential suspects, witnesses or victims in the vicinity of a crime scene. (07/29/15)

The content of this policy will provide MPD personnel with guidelines and procedures for the use, retention, access, handling of evidence, and requests for and release of data captured by ALPR equipment. (07/29/15)

Any use of an ALPR system by the Minneapolis Police Department shall be in compliance with MN Statute 13.824 and any other applicable statutes. MPD employees shall be responsible for performing all ALPR related duties in accordance with the Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Policy and state law. All MPD employees who have access to an ALPR device or the ALPR database shall receive training on these systems. Training may include, but not be limited to: department policy, directives, electronic or traditional classroom education. (07/29/15)

All ALPR devices and data generated by the use of the ALPR devices shall only be used for legitimate law enforcement business.

Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR): A system consisting of a camera or cameras and related equipment that automatically and without human control locates and focuses on, and photographs license plates and vehicles that come into the range of the device, that automatically converts digital photographic images of scanned license plates into electronic data, that is capable of comparing scanned license plate text data with data files for vehicles on a BOLO (be on the lookout) or hot list programmed into the device’s electronic memory, and that notifies police when a scanned license plate matches the license plate on a programmed BOLO list. The term includes both devices that are placed at a stationary location and mobile devices affixed to a vehicle and capable of operation while the vehicle in in motion.

BOLO (Be on the lookout): A determination by a law enforcement agency that there is a legitimate and specific law enforcement reason related to an active criminal investigation to identify or locate a particular vehicle. (07/29/15)

BOLO List/ Hotlist: A compilation of license plates or partial license plates of vehicles for which a BOLO situation exists that is programmed into an ALPR so that the device will alert if it captures the image of a license plate that matches a license plate included on the list.

Stored Data: All information captured by an ALPR and stored in the device’s memory or in a separate storage device or system. This includes the recorded image of a license plate which has been read, optical character recognition data, a contextual photo of the vehicle, GPS data, ALPR device data, timestamp and hotlist information. This term refers to both alert data and non-alert data.

Alert data: Information captured by an ALPR relating to a license plate that matches the license plate on a BOLO or Hotlist.

Read: The process by which an ALPR automatically focuses on, photographs, and convers to digital text the license plate of a vehicle that comes within range of the ALPR device. The term scan may also be used.

Authorized User: A sworn or civilian employee who has been authorized to operate an ALPR device or to access ALPR stored data and who has successfully completed training on ALPR use and policy.

Designated Supervisor: A superior officer assigned to oversee and administer, or to assist in overseeing and administering, the use of the ALPR devices and/or stored ALPR data. There may be more than one designated supervisor.

Historical ALPR query: The process of accessing and reviewing stored ALPR data to gather information about known vehicles, to identify unknown vehicles and/or to identify vehicles in the area of a crime scene.

Conditions of Use for ALPR Devices

1. ALPR equipment installed in any MPD vehicle is the responsibility of the officer(s) assigned to that vehicle and shall be operated in accordance with MPD training, MPD policy and procedures, and the manufacturer’s recommendations.
2. ALPR equipment shall only be deployed for official and legitimate law enforcement business.
3. An ALPR shall only be used to read license plates of vehicles that are exposed to public view and in places where officers are lawfully present.
4. An officer or civilian employee may operate an ALPR device only if the person has been designated as an authorized user and has received training on the proper use and operation of ALPRs.
5. When an officer operating a vehicle equipped with ALPR receives an alert, the officer shall take such action as appropriate in the circumstances. An officer alerted to the fact that an observed motor vehicle’s license plate is on a BOLO/hotlist shall evaluate the nature of the hit to determine if there is a lawful basis to stop the vehicle or if the officer must gather additional information before taking such action.

BOLO/Hotlists Content and Use

1. A license plate number or partial license plate number shall only be included in a MPD generated BOLO list when there is a legitimate and specific law enforcement reason to identify or locate that particular vehicle or any person reasonably believed to be associated with that vehicle.
2. BOLO/hotlists may be downloaded in batch from other databases including but not limited to those provided by the MN Department of Public Safety.
3. BOLO/hotlists shall be updated as frequently as practicable and not less than on a daily basis.

Storage and Retention of ALPR Data

1. All ALPR stored data shall be kept in a secure data storage system with access restricted to authorized persons.
2. Data collected by the ALPR shall be limited to: (07/29/15)

• license plate numbers
• date, time and location data on vehicles
• pictures of license plates, vehicles and areas surrounding vehicles

3. The Department’s ALPR data record keeping system shall document the date, time, authorized user, requester and the reason code for historical searches used to gather information about known vehicles.
4. ALPR data shall be retained in accordance with State of MN data retention schedules, after which, the data shall be purged from the data storage system. ALPR data not associated with an active criminal investigation shall be destroyed after 60 days. (07/29/15)

Access and Use of Stored ALPR Data

1. Only those users authorized by a designated supervisor may access stored ALPR data. Users authorized to access stored ALPR data shall complete training on ALPR policy and data use.
2. An authorized user may access stored ALPR data in a historical query only as part of an active investigation or for another legitimate law enforcement business purpose.
3. Once ALPR stored data has been identified as of evidentiary value, the ALPR data shall be copied to an investigative file.

Requests from Law Enforcement Agencies for ALPR Data

Any ALPR stored data that may be accessed and used in compliance with the MPD ALPR Policy may be shared and provided to another law enforcement agency in compliance with all other applicable laws.

Release of ALPR Data to Non-Law Enforcement Persons or Agencies

1. Requests from non-law enforcement persons or agencies for ALPR stored data shall be forwarded to the Records Information Unit for handling.
2. All requests for ALPR stored data shall be handled in compliance with the MN Government Data Practices Act Chapter 13.824 and any other applicable laws. (07/29/15)

Record of Stationary ALPR Devices

(07/29/15)

1. The MPD shall maintain a list of the locations of stationary ALPR devices and the dates those stationary devices are in service. This list shall be maintained at the Strategic Information Center.

2. Mandated notification to the BCA of the number of ALPR units in use, the location of stationary ALPR devices and the addition of any new ALPR devices, shall be the responsibility of the Commander of the Strategic Information Center.

Biennial Audit

(07/29/15)

The Chief of Police or his/her designee shall arrange for an independent biennial audit of the ALPR system to verify compliance with MN 13.824.