License plate readers for law enforcement : : opportunities and obstacles / / Keith Gierlack [and five others].

• VerfasserIn: Gierlack, Keith.
• Author: Gierlack, Keith,
• TeilnehmendeR: Gierlack, Keith,; Rand Safety and Justice (Program),
• Place / Publishing House: Santa Monica, California : : RAND,, 2014.; ©2014
• Year of Publication: 2014
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (121 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

Because license plate reader (LPR) technology is relatively new in the United States, opportunities and obstacles in its use in law enforcement are still under exploration. To examine issues about this technology, RAND conducted interviews with law enforcement personnel, police officers, and others responsible for procuring, maintaining, and operating the systems.

Table of Contents

Cover; Title Page; Copyright; Preface; Contents; Figures and Tables; Summary; Acknowledgments; Abbreviations; Chapter One: Introduction ; Background; Rationale for NIJ-Sponsored Research; Key Influencing Factors in LPR Utility; Report Structure; Chapter Two: Framing the LPR Environment ; Major Uses; Reactive Policing; Analytic Uses; Cost Considerations; Benefits and Challenges; Benefits; Challenges; Privacy Concerns; Chapter Three: Methodology ; Study Population Categorization Scheme; Department Size and Population; Border Locations; Geographic Clusters; Selection Criteria Within Categories

Interview ProtocolChapter Four: LPR Uses in Different Operational Environments ; Access to Resources: Big v. Small; LPR on the Border; Geographic Clusters; Chapter Five: The Legal Aspect of LPR Privacy Concerns ; Fourth Amendment; Contemporary Fourth Amendment Doctrine; State Constitutional Restrictions; State Regulation of License Plate Reader Use; Specific Prohibitions; More-General State Restrictions on Data Collection; Liability Risk in Use; Constitutionally Relevant Dimensions; Conclusion; Chapter Six: Common Themes and Challenges in LPR Use ; Technology-Driven Themes

LPR Utility Depends on Data, Human ResourcesInteroperability Among Jurisdictions Requires Several Elements; Data Storage and Retention: Technology Drives; Operationally Driven Themes; LPR Funding Is Largely External; Major Case Uses for LPR: Often Department-Specific; System Structure and Policies Vary; Privacy Concerns; Benefits and Challenges; Benefits; Challenges; Chapter Seven: Agency Lessons Learned ; Estimate and Secure the Proper Amount of Funding Required; Explore Grant Options; Be Prepared to Pay for Operations and Maintenance

Develop Policies for LPR Usage, Data Access, and Data StorageThink Outside the Box When Deciding How to Employ LPR; Enhance the Benefits of LPR via Cooperation with Other Agencies and Jurisdictions; Regional Cooperatives Enhance LPR's Utility; Police Departments Need to Link LPR Systems to "Effective" Data Sources; Effective Implementation Frequently Requires Cooperation with Other Agencies; Ensure "Successful" Implementation and Sustainment; Be Prepared and Committed for a Long Learning Curve; It Helps to Have an LPR "Champion"; Do Media Outreach to Facilitate Public Acceptance

Plan to Maximize Use of LPR UnitsOfficer Training Is Important; Allow for Officer Discretion When Acting on LPR Hits; Plan for Data Storage; LPRs Generate Large Amounts of Data; Cloud-Based Data Storage Lowers Costs but Runs Some Risks; Chapter Eight: Conclusions ; Major Use Cases; Privacy Issues; Interoperability Issues; Recommendations for Enhanced Use of LPR; Appendixes; A. Case Study Summaries; B. Interview Protocol; References