Audit criticizes privacy of some California police data

Posted: Feb 13, 2020 / 03:20 PM PST / Updated: Feb 13, 2020 / 03:20 PM PST

A “License Plate Reader” or LPR, one of two mounted on the trunk of a Metropolotian Police Department(MPD) is seen on a police car in Washington, DC, December 1, 2011. It works silently in the backround automatically recording automobile license plates that drive by and then rapidly checks a computer database of stolen or wanted cars. Hundreds of MPD police cars have the cameras forming a virtual net looking for stolen vehicles. (PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A new audit says four police departments in California don’t always follow the law to protect privacy.

California State Auditor Elaine Howle released an audit on Thursday reviewing the policies and procedures with automated license plate readers.

The audit covered police departments in Los Angeles and Fresno and sheriff’s offices in Marin and Sacramento counties.

We surveyed nearly 400 local law enforcement agencies about their use of automated license plate readers–use our interactive graphic here https://t.co/QLRqpFaKHf to find out if and how agencies in your county use license plate readers. #CALeg #CAGov
— CA State Auditor (@CaStateAuditor) February 13, 2020

Howle said the Los Angeles Police Department did not have a policy governing its use of the data. She said policies at the other three agencies were deficient.

The agencies said they would revise their policies to meet some of the recommendations.

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