The Lenexa Police Department has used automated license plate recognition (ALPR) technology since 2009 as a tool to help officers identify and locate vehicles associated with criminal investigations and other legitimate law enforcement purposes. ALPR technology can assist officers with locating stolen vehicles, finding missing or endangered persons, identifying vehicles associated with crimes and developing investigative leads.
Law enforcement officers are entrusted with access to sensitive information, technology and other tools to help keep the community safe. With that access comes a responsibility to use those resources appropriately and only for legitimate law enforcement purposes. Our use of ALPR technology reflects that same responsibility and is governed by department policy addressing how ALPR information may be used, accessed, retained and shared.
An automated license plate reader is a camera system that uses software to read license plates on vehicles within its field of view.
ALPR systems capture an image of a license plate and use software to read the plate number. The system also captures the date, time and location of the detection, along with an image showing some or all of the vehicle.
No. ALPR technology reads a vehicle's publicly displayed license plate and captures information associated with that detection, such as the date, time and location. It does not identify the driver or occupants of the vehicle. If there is a legitimate law enforcement need to determine who a vehicle is registered to, that information is obtained separately through authorized law enforcement records systems.
ALPR information may be used for legitimate law enforcement purposes, including:
No. ALPR is not GPS tracking. An ALPR reads a vehicle’s license plate when it passes within view of a camera. It does not continuously monitor a vehicle's location or show everywhere a vehicle has traveled.
The Lenexa Police Department uses both fixed and vehicle-mounted ALPR systems. Fixed cameras are primarily located along major thoroughfares and not on residential streets. Vehicle-mounted systems allow officers to use the technology during routine patrol and criminal investigations.
An ALPR alert occurs when a license plate detected by the system matches information related to a law enforcement concern, such as a stolen vehicle or license plate, wanted persons, or missing or endangered persons.
An alert provides information to an officer or dispatcher that must be evaluated and verified. When practicable, an ALPR alert is verified through an official law enforcement database before enforcement action is taken. An ALPR alert by itself does not establish that the driver or occupants of a vehicle have committed a crime or are the wanted person related to the alert.
Access is limited to authorized Lenexa Police Department personnel for legitimate law enforcement purposes. Authorized users receive required Criminal Justice Information training and access ALPR systems using individual credentials. System activity is logged and subject to review and audit.
No. ALPR data may only be accessed for a legitimate law enforcement purpose. Personnel accessing stored ALPR data must document the purpose for the search, such as a case or event number, type of event or other reason for the inquiry.
Yes. Access to stored ALPR information occurs through a login/password-protected system that documents access by name, date and time. ALPR system audits are also conducted in accordance with department policy.
ALPR data is generally retained for 60 days and then deleted.
Information may be retained beyond 60 days when it has become, or is reasonably believed it will become, evidence in a criminal or civil matter, is subject to a discovery request, or must otherwise be preserved as required by law. In those circumstances, the information is preserved with the appropriate case or as evidence.
ALPR information may be shared with other law enforcement or prosecutorial agencies for official law enforcement purposes. Other agencies do not have direct access to Lenexa Police Department ALPR data.
An outside agency requesting ALPR information must submit a written request identifying the agency, the person making the request and the law enforcement purpose for the request. The request must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate Lenexa Police Department commander or designee before the information is released.
Requests for ALPR information from individuals or organizations outside of law enforcement or prosecutorial agencies are handled in accordance with the Lenexa Police Department's records policies and applicable law.
The Lenexa Police Department uses ALPR technology provided by Leonardo (ELSAG), Axon and Genetec. These systems include both fixed ALPR cameras and mobile technology integrated into police vehicles.
The department does not use Flock Safety ALPR cameras.
No. The Lenexa Police Department does not use ALPR technology to automatically issue citations for speeding, red-light violations or other traffic offenses.
Yes. Lenexa Police Department Directive 422 – Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) establishes requirements for the use of ALPR technology, including authorized uses, training, data retention, access, accountability and the release of ALPR information.
Lenexa Police Department Policy Manual(PDF, 9MB)
Depending on the ALPR system, data is stored either on City systems or in a secure, agency-restricted cloud environment. Access is limited to authorized personnel for legitimate law enforcement purposes. Cloud storage does not give the vendor ownership of or general access to our ALPR data. Vendor access, when necessary for technical support, is limited and controlled.